'The King of Kings' is expected to showcase the strength of Korean animation in theaters for the first time in 14 years since 'My Father's Chicken.'
'The King of Kings' (directed by Jang Seong-ho, produced by Mopax Studio, distributed by Dstation, co-distributed by Sitess) will be released on July 16.
'The King of Kings' is a work that depicts a journey into one of the greatest stories from 2,000 years ago, created by British author Charles Dickens and his youngest son Walter. The film is generating anticipation with a star-studded voice cast, including Lee Byung-hun, Jin Sun-kyu, Lee Ha-nee, Yang Dong-geun, Cha In-pyo, Kwon Oh-jung, Jang Kwang, and Choi Ha-ri.
Thanks to this, Korean animation is drawing attention as it stands at the center of theaters for the first time in 14 years since 'My Father's Chicken.' The commonality between 'The King of Kings' and 'My Father's Chicken' is attracting interest.
# The power of empathy! An emotional narrative that began with a bestseller!
Released in July 2011, 'My Father's Chicken' was based on the bestselling fairy tale by author Hwang Sun-mi, which sold over 1.59 million copies in Korea alone. The protagonist's journey of escaping from a chicken farm to carve out her own life while embracing love for others conveyed universal messages of self-discovery and reconciliation between generations, resonating deeply with audiences. The film 'The King of Kings,' completed with pure domestic technology and capital, addresses the life of Jesus as depicted in the Bible, a global bestseller. The Bible is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the most sold book in history, maintaining its influence across eras and cultures. Among these stories, the life of Jesus delivers a message of true love, resonating with people regardless of their religious beliefs. 'The King of Kings,' a time-traveling journey to 2,000 years ago, prompts reflections on understanding and forgiveness between people, breaking records as the top Korean film at the box office in North America and the second-ranked Asian animation, demonstrating the technical advancements and narrative depth of Korean animation to the global market.
# A showcase of leading actors representing Korea! Moving hearts with just their voices
'My Father's Chicken' received acclaim for enhancing emotions with performances from renowned actors such as Moon So-ri, Yoo Seung-ho, Choi Min-sik, and Park Cheol-min. Notably, the project was praised for employing an American-style pre-recording system that created animation tailored to the actors' performances, increasing viewer immersion. 'The King of Kings' already features top Hollywood actors, including Kenneth Branagh, Oscar Isaac, and Uma Thurman, in the North American version, receiving high praise for their voice acting. The domestic dubbing version also includes a remarkable lineup of talented actors active both locally and internationally, such as Lee Byung-hun, Jin Sun-kyu, Lee Ha-nee, and Yang Dong-geun, promising a high standard of production comparable to the North American version. They are expected to bring depth and emotion by delicately portraying the voices of timeless characters like Charles Dickens, Jesus, and his disciples.
# A family film for all! The truth transcending maternal and paternal love across generations
'My Father's Chicken' captures the story of a mother hen and a duckling, illustrating deep maternal love that goes beyond biological family. The love that embraces differences and the true meaning of family resonated strongly across all generations. 'The King of Kings' depicts a journey where a father and son, unable to understand each other, open their hearts and come to understand one another through time travel. The story delicately captures the depth of paternal love as well as the empathy between generations through the sincere journey of the father and son. This piece, prompting reflections on the meaning of family, is anticipated to be a touching family movie suitable for parents and children to enjoy together.
[Photo] Movie poster provided.
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