Park Ji-hoon becomes a 10-million-admissions actor: “The King’s Man” performance has the whole internet in tears, the little wink boy has grown up

The biggest topic in Korean cinema lately is undoubtedly the tearjerker hit “The King’s Man,” which quickly surpassed 10 million admissions in early March! Former “Wink Boy” Park Ji-hoon more than holds his own opposite veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin, and even lost 15 kg to portray a deposed king. His doe-like eyes full of despair have left many viewers in tears. Today, we’re revisiting the highlights of this much-discussed film and looking back at how he shed his idol label to become a 10-million-admissions actor step by step. That little boy from back then has truly grown up!

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A tearjerker that saw him lose 15 kg: A 10-million-admissions hit is born

Hailed by Korean netizens as a must-see Korean film of 2026, “The King’s Man” is set in Korea’s Joseon era, a period steeped in historical tension. Park Ji-hoon takes on the role of King Danjong, Yi Hong-wi, who is forced to abdicate and exiled, and forms a sincere friendship that transcends status and age with the village chief played by Yoo Hae-jin. To fully convey the character’s haggard, wronged appearance, he lost 15 kg and delivered a deeply affecting, restrained performance. Even veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin praised Park’s fawn-like eyes, saying that simply meeting his gaze could bring people to tears. On March 6, this heartwarming epic officially surpassed 10 million moviegoers, ending a two-year slump in which no Korean film had crossed that mark and earning Park the title of a 10-million-admissions actor. If you haven’t bought a ticket yet, be sure to bring a whole pack of tissues!

Shedding the idol label: Unmissable, top-tier K-dramas

You may still remember him shining on a survival show, yet his transition into acting has been remarkably steady. From his lively, lovable role in the historical drama “Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency” to his nuanced inner acting in the coming-of-age campus drama “At a Distance, Spring Is Green,” every performance has shown his immense potential. The work that truly established him as an actor, though, has to be Netflix’s hit webtoon adaptation “Weak Hero Class 1.” He vividly portrayed the repression, helplessness, and anger that come with facing school violence, and every fight scene had viewers on edge. The acclaimed series earned him the Blue Dragon Award for Best New Actor, proving once and for all that he is already a professional actor capable of leading a project on his own.

A romantic promise in the spring breeze: Wanna One’s long-awaited reunion

As he continues to make his mark in dramas and films, 2026 has brought another huge surprise that has fans incredibly excited! Wanna One, the legendary boy group that once swept across Asia, surprised fans on New Year’s Day with a teaser set to their song “Spring Breeze.” Mnet then officially announced that the members will return in the first half of 2026 with a new group reality show. As that familiar spring breeze blows once again, the boy who once smiled at the camera and made his signature gesture of holding everyone in his heart is reuniting with his bandmates, now with a wealth of acting achievements behind him. After a seven-year wait, aren’t you already eager to see them all together again?

That little boy who once shyly winked at the camera has grown up before we knew it. We look forward to seeing him continue to shine in film and television.

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