Captured from an online community. Poster for the film ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’. Provided by Showbox.

As the box-office run of ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ continues, actor Park Ji-hoon’s past stage performance is drawing renewed attention.

Recently, online communities and social media have been abuzz again with images of Park Ji-hoon filmed at a 2012 Ulala Session concert. Then 14 years old, he went on stage as the child actor portraying Park Seung-il, and his striking features and distinctive aura made his presence felt.

Ulala Session’s Park Seung-il, actor Park Ji-hoon. Captured from an online community.

At the time, it is said he drew notice even among Ulala Session fans, with reactions such as “He feels different from other child actors,” “He draws more attention than Park Seung-il,” and “The child actor is more handsome.”

After activities as an idol and then establishing himself as an actor, Park Ji-hoon took on the role of Danjong in ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’, delivering a deeply layered performance that once again proved his presence. As his past work became known, netizens have responded with comments like “He really worked hard,” “He hasn’t stopped, from Ulala Session to ‘Save’,” “Thank you for growing up well,” and “Fourteen-year-old Danjong oppa,” cheering on his growth narrative.

Park Ji-hoon’s steady track record of taking the stage since childhood is being spotlighted again in tandem with the hit film.

Poster for the film ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’. Provided by Showbox.

Meanwhile, in ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’, Park Ji-hoon, who plays Danjong, delicately depicts the ill-fated boy monarch, drawing audiences in. Danjong, the sixth king of Joseon, was born the legitimate eldest son of Munjong and ascended the throne at 12, but two years later, through the Gyeyu Coup by his uncle Grand Prince Suyang (later Sejo), he was stripped of the crown and exiled to Yeongwol. When moves to restore him emerged, he was demoted to Prince Nosan and died at 17.

Based on this historical tragedy, ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ portrays the special bond and friendship formed between the young Danjong and Yeongwol hojang (local official) Eom Heung-do at the Cheongnyeongpo place of exile in Yeongwol. It surpassed 9 million viewers 27 days after release and is now on the verge of 10 million.