We reflect on the works that shaped today's top star. 'The King's Reputation' introduces the representative works of stars and revisits their entertainment careers through iconic scenes and lines. <Editor’s Note>
Singer and actor Park Ji-hoon, who captivated fans with his cute charm as a member of the group Wanna One, is now stirring the public with his new, more mature image. He showcased his acting prowess in the film 'The King and I,' which premiered on October 4, marking a significant turning point in his career.
According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticket sales network, 'The King and I' has attracted a cumulative audience of 6,733,443 as of October 27, raising expectations for reaching the 10 million mark.
Despite his strong idol presence, Park Ji-hoon is actually a seasoned actor with 21 years of experience, having debuted as a child actor in the beloved 2006 MBC drama 'Jumong.' He has since established himself as a notable actor through various projects.
The phrase that made Park Ji-hoon a household name is "Save in My Heart." At just 17 years old, he finished second in the 2017 Mnet audition program 'Produce 101 Season 2,' becoming a member of the popular group Wanna One, which captured the hearts of many fans.
His adorable delivery of the line during the audition program, accompanied by a signature gesture, created a sensation and remains one of the show's most memorable moments. While Wanna One's success was due to the talents of its members, Park Ji-hoon's impactful presence made him particularly relatable to the audience.
Park Ji-hoon truly showcased his acting skills in the webtoon-based Wavve original series 'Weak Hero Class 1.' Portraying the character Yeon Si-eun, who is dedicated to his studies but knows how to retaliate against provocations, he proved his acting ability with a blend of protective instincts and a chilling gaze.
As Yeon Si-eun befriends Ahn Soo-ho (played by Choi Hyun-wook), he learns the value of friendship. In the recently released 'Weak Hero Class 2' on Netflix, he grapples with conflicts at a new school while longing for his friend. A memorable line from Season 1, where Ahn Soo-ho tells him, "You shouldn't cross the line," resonates in Season 2 when he exclaims, "Don't cross the line," evoking strong emotions from viewers.
The 'Weak Hero' series not only solidified Park Ji-hoon's reputation as an actor but also influenced his casting in 'The King and I.' Director Jang Hang-jun revealed, "I wanted to cast him after watching 'Weak Hero.' His gaze was different from that of an average 20-something. It held a depth of anger and emotion that could erupt at any moment."
In 'The King and I,' Park Ji-hoon plays the tragic king Danjong, who is forced to abdicate his throne to his uncle Sejo due to the Gyeongyu Jeongnan coup and meets a grim fate in exile.
To prepare for this role, he lost 15 kilograms, demonstrating his dedication to the character. Notably, he achieved this weight loss through dietary control rather than exercise, as he believed that a muscular appearance would not suit the character's despair.
In the early scenes, Park Ji-hoon's expression effectively conveys Danjong's sense of loss, enhancing the moments when he exudes the charisma of a former king.
Although Danjong does not have many iconic lines, his heartfelt question to Eom Heung-do (played by Yoo Hae-jin), "Are you not?" leaves a lasting impression of his deep affection for him. Additionally, when Heung-do's son, Tae-san (played by Kim Min), is in danger, Danjong's explosive line, "How dare you disrespect royalty?" showcases his commanding presence.
Having captured the public's heart with his charm, Park Ji-hoon has now evolved into an actor capable of conveying charisma and a sense of decadence through his gaze alone. He is set to return as the lead character Kang Sung-jae in the upcoming Tving original series 'The Legend of the Cook Soldier.' Based on a webtoon of the same name, Kang Sung-jae is a new recruit at a military base who accepts a quest to become a cook by mimicking a mysterious voice. In 'The Legend of the Cook Soldier,' his softer charm is expected to shine through. After establishing his presence in the hearts of the public with 'The King and I,' attention is now on whether he can create another iconic character.
◇Park Ji-hoon's Filmography
△Debut - 2006 MBC drama 'Jumong'
△Notable Works
2017 Mnet audition program 'Produce 101 Season 2'
2019 JTBC drama 'Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency'
2020 KakaoTV drama 'Love Revolution'
2022 Wavve original 'Weak Hero Class 1'
2025 Netflix original 'Weak Hero Class 2'
2026 film 'The King and I'
* This article has been translated by AI.
Singer and actor Park Ji-hoon, who captivated fans with his cute charm as a member of the group Wanna One, is now stirring the public with his new, more mature image. He showcased his acting prowess in the film 'The King and I,' which premiered on October 4, marking a significant turning point in his career.
According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticket sales network, 'The King and I' has attracted a cumulative audience of 6,733,443 as of October 27, raising expectations for reaching the 10 million mark.
Despite his strong idol presence, Park Ji-hoon is actually a seasoned actor with 21 years of experience, having debuted as a child actor in the beloved 2006 MBC drama 'Jumong.' He has since established himself as a notable actor through various projects.
"Save in My Heart"
The phrase that made Park Ji-hoon a household name is "Save in My Heart." At just 17 years old, he finished second in the 2017 Mnet audition program 'Produce 101 Season 2,' becoming a member of the popular group Wanna One, which captured the hearts of many fans.
His adorable delivery of the line during the audition program, accompanied by a signature gesture, created a sensation and remains one of the show's most memorable moments. While Wanna One's success was due to the talents of its members, Park Ji-hoon's impactful presence made him particularly relatable to the audience.
"Don't Cross the Line"
Park Ji-hoon truly showcased his acting skills in the webtoon-based Wavve original series 'Weak Hero Class 1.' Portraying the character Yeon Si-eun, who is dedicated to his studies but knows how to retaliate against provocations, he proved his acting ability with a blend of protective instincts and a chilling gaze.
As Yeon Si-eun befriends Ahn Soo-ho (played by Choi Hyun-wook), he learns the value of friendship. In the recently released 'Weak Hero Class 2' on Netflix, he grapples with conflicts at a new school while longing for his friend. A memorable line from Season 1, where Ahn Soo-ho tells him, "You shouldn't cross the line," resonates in Season 2 when he exclaims, "Don't cross the line," evoking strong emotions from viewers.
The 'Weak Hero' series not only solidified Park Ji-hoon's reputation as an actor but also influenced his casting in 'The King and I.' Director Jang Hang-jun revealed, "I wanted to cast him after watching 'Weak Hero.' His gaze was different from that of an average 20-something. It held a depth of anger and emotion that could erupt at any moment."
"Are You Not?"
In 'The King and I,' Park Ji-hoon plays the tragic king Danjong, who is forced to abdicate his throne to his uncle Sejo due to the Gyeongyu Jeongnan coup and meets a grim fate in exile.
To prepare for this role, he lost 15 kilograms, demonstrating his dedication to the character. Notably, he achieved this weight loss through dietary control rather than exercise, as he believed that a muscular appearance would not suit the character's despair.
In the early scenes, Park Ji-hoon's expression effectively conveys Danjong's sense of loss, enhancing the moments when he exudes the charisma of a former king.
Although Danjong does not have many iconic lines, his heartfelt question to Eom Heung-do (played by Yoo Hae-jin), "Are you not?" leaves a lasting impression of his deep affection for him. Additionally, when Heung-do's son, Tae-san (played by Kim Min), is in danger, Danjong's explosive line, "How dare you disrespect royalty?" showcases his commanding presence.
Having captured the public's heart with his charm, Park Ji-hoon has now evolved into an actor capable of conveying charisma and a sense of decadence through his gaze alone. He is set to return as the lead character Kang Sung-jae in the upcoming Tving original series 'The Legend of the Cook Soldier.' Based on a webtoon of the same name, Kang Sung-jae is a new recruit at a military base who accepts a quest to become a cook by mimicking a mysterious voice. In 'The Legend of the Cook Soldier,' his softer charm is expected to shine through. After establishing his presence in the hearts of the public with 'The King and I,' attention is now on whether he can create another iconic character.
◇Park Ji-hoon's Filmography
△Debut - 2006 MBC drama 'Jumong'
△Notable Works
2017 Mnet audition program 'Produce 101 Season 2'
2019 JTBC drama 'Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency'
2020 KakaoTV drama 'Love Revolution'
2022 Wavve original 'Weak Hero Class 1'
2025 Netflix original 'Weak Hero Class 2'
2026 film 'The King and I'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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