The King (2017 South Korean film)

The King
The King
	Theatrical release poster
Hangul	더킹
Revised Romanization	Deo king
Directed by	Han Jae-rim
Written by	Han Jae-rim
Produced by	Han Jae-rim; Lee Jong-ho
Starring	Zo In-sung; Jung Woo-sung; Bae Seong-woo; Ryu Jun-yeol; Kim Eui-sung; Kim Ah-joong
Cinematography	Kim Woo-hyung
Edited by	Shin Min-kyung
Music by	Mowg
Production; companies	WooJoo Film; Magnum Nine
Distributed by	Next Entertainment World
Release date	January 18, 2017;
Running time	134 minutes
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean
Box office	US$37.9 million

The King (Korean: 더킹; RR: Deo king) is a 2017 South Korean crime drama film written and directed by Han Jae-rim, starring Zo In-sung, Jung Woo-sung, Bae Seong-woo, Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Eui-sung, and Kim Ah-joong.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Synopsis

Story about Park Tae-soo who's born in a poor family, decides to become a prosecutor after learning that power is the most important thing in life and, the biggest symbol of power in the 90’s. After entering the most prestigious law school, experiencing democratic resistance in Korea, Tae-soo finally reaches his goal of becoming a prosecutor but his life is no better than a salary man. By chance, he joins a clique of the powerful prosecutors with wealth and authority. He finally gets a taste of a life of the top hierarchy, but as he enjoys the sweetness of supremacy, he also sees the cruel side of it.^[6]^[7]

Cast

Zo In-sung as Park Tae-soo
Jung Woo-sung as Han Kang-shik^[8]
Bae Seong-woo as Yang Dong-chul
Ryu Jun-yeol as Choi Doo-il ^[9]
Kim Eui-sung as Kim Eung-soo
Kim Ah-joong as Sang-hee^[10]
Kim Min-jae as Baek Gi-ja
Jung Sung-mo as Park Myung-hoon
Jung Eun-chae as Park Shi-yeon
Kim So-jin as Ahn Hee-yeon
Hwang Seung-eon as Jun Hee-sung
Oh Dae-hwan as Song Baek-ho
Jung In-gi as Senior prosecutor
Song Young-chang as Lee Hak-cheol
Go Ah-sung as Kim Yang
Park Jeong-min as Heo Gi-hoon
Jo Woo-jin as Park Tae-soo's detective
Jang Myung-gab as Um Hyun-gi
Han Soo-yeon as Hostess
Lee Joo-yeon as Cha Mi-ryeon^[11]
Lee Yeol-eum as Eul-sun
Shin Ryu-jin as Ji Min^[12]
Park Ji-hong as Tae-soo's friend
Choi Yeong-do as man involved in an accident
Mi Seok as gang member 2
Sung Dong-il as Tae-soo's teacher

Production

First script reading took place in late January, 2016.^[13] Filming began on February 4 and finished July 3, 2016. Filming took place in Seoul, Daejeon and Busan in South Korea.^[14]

Promotion and release

The film's first trailer has broken the record for most views for a Korean movie trailer with more than 7.17 million views in seven days within its release.^[15]

The film was released in South Korea on January 18, 2017. The film had a limited release in North America on January 27, 2017.^[16]

Reception

The film was number-one on its opening in South Korea, with 1.85 million admissions and US$13.2 million in gross.^[17] In total, the film gathered 5.31 million spectators and grossed US$38.5 million nationwide,^[18] making it the 7th highest-grossing South Korean film in 2017.^[19]

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Recipient	Result
53rd Baeksang Arts Awards^[20]^[21]	Best Supporting Actor	Bae Sung-woo	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actress	Kim So-jin	Won
	Best New Actor	Ryu Jun-yeol	Won
26th Buil Film Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Ryu Jun-yeol	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actress	Kim So-jin	Nominated
	Best Cinematography	Kim Woo-hyung	Nominated
	Best Art Direction	The King	Nominated
54th Grand Bell Awards^[22]	Best Film	The King	Nominated
	Best Director	Han Jae-rim	Nominated
	Best Actor	Zo In-sung	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actor	Bae Sung-woo	Won
	Best Supporting Actress	Kim So-jin	Won
	Technical Award	The King	Nominated
	Best Planning	The King	Nominated
	Best Art Direction	Lee Na-gyeom	Nominated
	Best Screenplay	Han Jae-rim	Won
	Best Music	Mowg	Nominated
	Best Costume Design	Cho Sang-kyung	Nominated
	Best Lighting	Kim Seung-gyoo	Nominated
	Best Cinematography	Kim Woo-hyeong	Nominated
	Best Editing	Sin Min-kyeong	Won
1st The Seoul Awards^[23]	Best Film	The King	Nominated
	Best Actor	Jung Woo-sung	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actor	Bae Sung-woo	Nominated
	Best New Actor	Ryu Jun-yeol	Won
38th Blue Dragon Film Awards	Best Film	The King	Nominated
	Best Actor	Zo In-sung	Nominated
	Popular Star Award	Zo In-sung	Won
	Best Supporting Actor	Bae Sung-woo	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actress	Kim So-jin	Won
	Best Cinematography and Lighting	Kim Woo-hyung & Kim Seung-gyu	Nominated
	Best Editing	Shin Min-kyung	Won
	Best Music	Mowg	Nominated
	Best Art Direction	Lee Na-gyeom	Nominated
17th Director's Cut Awards	Special Mentions	The King	Won
12th Asian Film Awards^[24]	Best Editing	Shin Min-kyung	Won
9th KOFRA Film Awards	Best Supporting Actress	Kim So-jin	Won
2nd Malaysia Golden Global Awards	Best Actor	Zo In-sung	Nominated

References

^ "The King". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
^ "The King (2017)". Korean Film Council. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
^ "[단독]조인성-정우성 '더 킹' 랑데부 확정..임수정은 불발". Archived from the original on 2021-05-15. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ Fashion&Style (2016-01-13). "Jung Woo Sung And Jo In Sung Confirm To Film 'The King'". Fashion & Style. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ "조인성X정우성 '더 킹' 1차 예고편 717만..최고 조회수". Archived from the original on 2018-03-14. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ J., Lady (2016-12-06). "The King' New Korean Crime Thriller Starring Jo In-sung, Jung Woo-Sung". Asian Movie Pulse. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ "조인성-정우성부터 류준열까지…'더 킹' 압도적 스틸 : 스포츠동아". sports.donga.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ kdramastars.com (2016-01-04). "Jung Woo-Sung Joins Jo In-Sung In 'The King'". KDramaStars. Archived from the original on 2017-05-06. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ "'더 킹', 조인성 검사·류준열 조직보스 역 캐스팅 확정". www.mydaily.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ "김아중 측 "'더 킹' 검토만…아직 출연 확정 아냐" [공식입장] : 스포츠동아". sports.donga.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ kdramastars.com (2015-11-13). "Lee Joo-Yeon Joins Jo In-Sung In 'The King'". KDramaStars. Archived from the original on 2017-02-05. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ "Netizens Unearth These 8 Photos of The JYP Trainee They Think Will Debut With Somi". Koreaboo.com. 2017-02-16. Archived from the original on 2017-11-24. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
^ Alvin. "Jung Woo Sung and Zo In Sung can't hide their dashing looks at 'The King' script reading session". Kpop Fighting!. Archived from the original on 2017-03-29. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ ""안구정화 비주얼" 정우성-조인성-류준열, '더킹' 촬영인증". Nate News (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2017-06-18. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ "'더킹', 조인성이 돌아온다..그것도 8년만에". 미주중앙일보. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-01-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ Kil, Sonia (2017-01-23). "Korea Box Office: 'The King' Rules Weekend With Record Opening". Variety. Archived from the original on 2017-01-24. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
^ "더 킹, "관객수 531만의 조인성·정우성 주연 범죄영화, 현대사를 배경으로 검사의 권력 쟁탈전" - 한국강사신문". www.lecturernews.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
^ List of 2017 box office number-one films in South Korea
^ "공유·박보검·남궁민·한석규…백상예술대상 男TV연기상 4파전". Star.mk.co. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
^ "'Guardian,' 'The Handmaiden' win big at Baeksang Awards". Korea Herald. 4 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
^ "Stars shine at Daejong awards: A successful year for film industry celebrated at annual ceremony". Korea JoongAng Daily. 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
^ "'서울어워즈' 송강호·나문희·지성·박보영 주연상…·'박열'·'비숲' 대상[종합]". TV Report (in Korean). 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
^ "Asian Film Awards: 'Youth' Wins Top Prize From 'Demon Cat'". Variety. March 17, 2018. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.

External links

The King on Naver Movies
The King on Daum
The King on MOVIST

[1] "The King". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 1 June 2023.

[2] "The King (2017)". Korean Film Council. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.

[3] "[단독]조인성-정우성 '더 킹' 랑데부 확정..임수정은 불발". Archived from the original on 2021-05-15. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[4] Fashion&Style (2016-01-13). "Jung Woo Sung And Jo In Sung Confirm To Film 'The King'". Fashion & Style. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[5] "조인성X정우성 '더 킹' 1차 예고편 717만..최고 조회수". Archived from the original on 2018-03-14. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[6] J., Lady (2016-12-06). "The King' New Korean Crime Thriller Starring Jo In-sung, Jung Woo-Sung". Asian Movie Pulse. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[7] "조인성-정우성부터 류준열까지…'더 킹' 압도적 스틸 : 스포츠동아". sports.donga.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[8] ramastars.com (2016-01-04). "Jung Woo-Sung Joins Jo In-Sung In 'The King'". KDramaStars. Archived from the original on 2017-05-06. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[9] "'더 킹', 조인성 검사·류준열 조직보스 역 캐스팅 확정". www.mydaily.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[10] "김아중 측 "'더 킹' 검토만…아직 출연 확정 아냐" [공식입장] : 스포츠동아". sports.donga.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[11] ramastars.com (2015-11-13). "Lee Joo-Yeon Joins Jo In-Sung In 'The King'". KDramaStars. Archived from the original on 2017-02-05. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[12] "Netizens Unearth These 8 Photos of The JYP Trainee They Think Will Debut With Somi". Koreaboo.com. 2017-02-16. Archived from the original on 2017-11-24. Retrieved 2017-11-15.

[13] Alvin. "Jung Woo Sung and Zo In Sung can't hide their dashing looks at 'The King' script reading session". Kpop Fighting!. Archived from the original on 2017-03-29. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[14] ""안구정화 비주얼" 정우성-조인성-류준열, '더킹' 촬영인증". Nate News (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2017-06-18. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[15] "'더킹', 조인성이 돌아온다..그것도 8년만에". 미주중앙일보. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-09.

[16] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-01-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[Kil-17] Kil, Sonia (2017-01-23). "Korea Box Office: 'The King' Rules Weekend With Record Opening". Variety. Archived from the original on 2017-01-24. Retrieved 2017-01-23.

[18] "더 킹, "관객수 531만의 조인성·정우성 주연 범죄영화, 현대사를 배경으로 검사의 권력 쟁탈전" - 한국강사신문". www.lecturernews.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2019-03-22.

[19] List of 2017 box office number-one films in South Korea

[20] "공유·박보검·남궁민·한석규…백상예술대상 男TV연기상 4파전". Star.mk.co. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2017.

[baeksang-21] "'Guardian,' 'The Handmaiden' win big at Baeksang Awards". Korea Herald. 4 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.

[22] "Stars shine at Daejong awards: A successful year for film industry celebrated at annual ceremony". Korea JoongAng Daily. 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2017.

[23] "'서울어워즈' 송강호·나문희·지성·박보영 주연상…·'박열'·'비숲' 대상[종합]". TV Report (in Korean). 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.

[24] "Asian Film Awards: 'Youth' Wins Top Prize From 'Demon Cat'". Variety. March 17, 2018. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

v t e Works by Han Jae-rim
As director/screenwriter	Rules of Dating (2005) The Show Must Go On (2007) The Face Reader (2013) The King (2017) Emergency Declaration (2021) The 8 Show (2024)
As producer	Very Ordinary Couple (2013)