Actor Kim Ji-hoon is actively portraying the unprecedented monarch Lee Jeong in ‘Gyeegung’.
In the SBS Friday-Saturday drama ‘Gyeegung’ (written by Yoon Soo-jung, directed by Yoon Sung-sik), which aired its 10th episode on the 17th, Kim Ji-hoon plays King Lee Jeong, taking responsibility for the exciting storyline. Kim Ji-hoon depicted the strong and solid aspects of the reform-minded monarch Lee Jeong, mixing his unique charisma with a playful and relaxed demeanor, showcasing a new charm.
In particular, as Lee Jeong, Kang Cheol (played by Yook Sung-jae), and Yeori (played by Kim Ji-yeon) begin their collaboration to defeat the Palcheokwi, which has threatened the royal family for many years, the tension-filled developments continue. With each episode, Lee Jeong's heavy presence captivates the audience, and we take a look at his ‘King Moment’ that has sparked intense activity.
◆ Desire for Reform and the Dilemma of an Absolute Ruler
Lee Jeong's firm resolution to abolish the slave system and create a strong nation for the people has been thwarted by the court officials time and again. However, despite numerous obstacles, Lee Jeong never became discouraged and actively sought out Choi Won-woo (played by Ahn Nae-sang) to lay the groundwork for radical reforms.
The scene where Lee Jeong confronts the evil sorcerer Maengcheong only to face opposition from his ministers, while also revealing the king's dilemma of trusting Yeori yet needing to distance himself from her, touched the hearts of viewers.
Kim Ji-hoon drew the audience in by portraying the reliable side of King Lee Jeong, who grows stronger through adversity, through his eyes and expressions.
◆ A Love-struck King Who Risks Everything
In front of his ailing son, Lee Jeong appears as a father who becomes infinitely small, while in a crisis involving his wife, he jumps into the fire without hesitation, revealing an unexpected side.
Kim Ji-hoon skillfully alternates between a cautious demeanor that restrains his emotions and a bulldozer-like presence that disregards the opinions of others once he confirms the safety of his loved ones, capturing the character's contrasting aspects.
In particular, the scene where he accepts becoming bait for the Palcheokwi at Kang Cheol's instruction and asks, “The queen is in danger. What do you need?” was sufficient to confirm Lee Jeong's deep and passionate love.
◆ Dazzling Martial Arts and Sharp Insight, Active Role of the ‘Exorcism Trio’
Starting his active role as a key member of the Exorcism Trio, Kim Ji-hoon enhanced the drama's quality with his action performance, born from rigorous effort.
The scene where he uses his wits to save Kang Cheol, who was in danger while trying to rescue him, made it clear that Lee Jeong is a genius monarch who is a hard worker. Additionally, as he tracks the Palcheokwi and gradually grows closer to Kang Cheol, his bittersweet expression while thinking of his loyal subject Yoon Gap (played by Yook Sung-jae) piqued curiosity about how their relationship will evolve. Kim Ji-hoon's brilliant performance delicately expressed Lee Jeong's complex emotions, including his strong will towards exorcism, sense of responsibility towards the royal family, and affectionate camaraderie with Kang Cheol.
Thus, Kim Ji-hoon is redefining his life character as Lee Jeong, a character with a black hole-like charm in ‘Gyeegung’. He successfully expressed the character's multifaceted aspects through an inner understanding to portray a wide range of emotions and visual impact through makeup.
‘Gyeegung’, featuring Kim Ji-hoon, airs every Friday at 10 PM and Saturday at 9:50 PM.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
