Ji-hoon Kim is captivating viewers with his skillful acting variations in "The Haunted Palace."
On the 24th (Saturday), the SBS weekend drama "The Haunted Palace" (written by Soo-jung Yoon / directed by Seong-sik Yoon), which aired up to the 12th episode, gradually revealed the identity of the dark figure that has threatened the royal family using the Eight-Teeth and the secret relationships between the characters, delivering a whirlwind of developments. Ji-hoon Kim overwhelmed the audience with immersion as a king who confronts fear head-on in this prologue to the storm.
King Lee Jung entered the shrine of the blind Poongsan (played by Sang-ho Kim) and faced the true nature of the curses and evil deeds he has crafted, confirming that the entity of the Eight-Teeth that has tormented him for a long time was present among them. The moment where Lee Jung declares with fiery eyes, "I will never lose to you!" gripped the audience by the hand. Ji-hoon Kim expressed the anger in Lee Jung's eyes and voice 200%, truly reaching a peak of emotional impact.
After what was nearly a warning against the Eight-Teeth, Lee Jung’s calm demeanor also influenced the atmosphere of the drama. Lee Jung, who lived a life of uncomfortable relations with the queen (played by Soo-yeon Han), tried to save her from the pit of despair by informing her of Poongsan's true nature while tracing back through the royal lineage to find the entity of the Eight-Teeth that harbors resentment. His eyes, which blazed with anger, sparkled sharply for a moment, providing a deep catharsis.
In this way, Ji-hoon Kim lent persuasive power to Lee Jung's rapid changes with his remarkable acting skills. After the serpent Bibi (played by Han-gyeol Jo) was extinguished, he learned from his grandfather, Bong-in Kim (played by Byeong-ho Son), that Poongsan is his backing, leading to a clash of shock and doubt that left him confused. However, Lee Jung cleverly set a trap, forcing his grandfather to confess his sins and decisively exiling him without hesitation. As the central figure of the "Exorcism Trio" formed with Gang-cheol (played by Seong-jae Yook) and Yeori (played by Ji-yeon Kim), Lee Jung's charm shines through, and Ji-hoon Kim's acting elevates the audience's heart rates dramatically.
In this manner, Ji-hoon Kim fills "The Haunted Palace" with detailed emotional expressions and smooth acting that seamlessly transitions between various faces. With Lee Jung discovering the bitter seeds of a terrible "Karma" that sprouted between the Eight-Teeth and the royal family, attention is focused on how he will resolve these issues going forward, as he draws his sword as a strong monarch and a dependable father to protect his country and save his precious people.
Immediately after the broadcast, viewers reacted with a variety of comments such as, "Ji-hoon Kim's intense presence makes the drama stand out more," "King Lee Jung is so cool," "Thanks to Ji-hoon Kim, the immersion in 'The Haunted Palace' is tremendous," "There is no one else who can replace Ji-hoon Kim in the role of Lee Jung," "Among the reformist monarch characters, Lee Jung is my favorite," and "Acting master, chemistry master Ji-hoon Kim."
The SBS weekend drama "The Haunted Palace," featuring actor Ji-hoon Kim, airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:55 p.m.
[Photo] Broadcast capture
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