Park Ji-hoon Reveals Extreme Dedication Behind His King Danjong Role in The Kings Warden

Park Ji-hoon opened up about the extraordinary lengths he went to for his role as King Danjong in the blockbuster film The King's Warden during his appearance on tvN's popular talk show You Quiz on the Block. The episode, which aired on February 25, revealed the depth of commitment that helped the former idol earn widespread acclaim as a serious actor.

A Grueling Physical Transformation

To authentically portray the exile and suffering of Joseon's 6th king, Park Ji-hoon embarked on an extreme diet that pushed his body to its limits. He revealed that for two months, he consumed nothing more than a single apple per day, ultimately losing 15 kilograms. The goal was not just weight loss through exercise, but to achieve the gaunt, emaciated appearance of someone who had completely stopped eating.

Park Ji-hoon explained that he wanted to look like someone whose flesh had wasted away, someone who had completely given up on food. He admitted that the experience left him extremely irritable and sensitive throughout the filming period.

From Doubt to Box Office Triumph

Despite the film's eventual success — The King's Warden has surpassed six million viewers at the Korean box office — Park Ji-hoon confessed that he initially hesitated to take the role. He said candidly that he still has many doubts about his own acting. His primary concern was whether he could handle the emotionally demanding scenes opposite veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin.

He shared that he worried a great deal about whether he could truly express those deep emotions, especially in the intense scenes with his senior co-star. However, once on set, the two actors developed a bond that went beyond professional courtesy. Park Ji-hoon recalled fondly that they stuck together like father and son on set. Yoo Hae-jin later confirmed the connection, calling Park Ji-hoon a good friend who would joke around during breaks rather than someone putting on an act.

A Journey from Child Actor to Leading Man

Park Ji-hoon's path to this career-defining role began much earlier than most realize. He first appeared on screen at just eight years old, playing a salt merchant's son in the historical drama Jumong. Captivated by popping dance as a student, he channeled his passion into becoming a trainee, practicing so intensely that fluid accumulated in his knees.

His determination led him through the survival show Produce 101 Season 2, where his iconic wink catapulted him to fame, and onto the stage as a member of the project group Wanna One. The transition from idol to actor came through the drama Weak Hero, which caught the eye of director Jang Hang-jun and ultimately led to his casting as King Danjong.

Perhaps the most touching moment of the interview came when Park Ji-hoon spoke directly to the historical figure he portrayed. He expressed that if Danjong could appear even in his dreams, he would run to him and ask if he watched the film, adding that if the king smiled at him, that would be the greatest compliment of all. His family has also been swept up in the film's cultural impact — they now affectionately refer to him as King Danjong.