Director Jang Seong-ho Reflects on International Success of 'King of Kings'

In a recent interview, Jang Seong-ho, the director of 'King of Kings', shared his thoughts on the film's positive reception abroad. The animated movie, inspired by the works of renowned British author Charles Dickens, follows the journey of Dickens and his youngest son, Walter, as they explore one of the greatest stories from 2,000 years ago.

Since its North American release in April, 'King of Kings' has achieved remarkable success, surpassing $60.3 million in total earnings. This milestone has made it the highest-grossing Korean film in North America, even exceeding the earnings of 'Parasite' (기생충), and ranking second among Asian films historically. The film has also received outstanding ratings, including a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A+ CinemaScore.

During the interview held at a café in Palpan-dong, Seoul, Jang expressed his gratitude for the comparisons to 'Parasite', stating, "It's an honor to be mentioned alongside such a film. While we have surpassed it in terms of numbers, I believe the artistic qualities and achievements of each work are not comparable due to their differing natures."

Jang revealed that he spent ten years preparing for this project, emphasizing that it was always intended for a wide release. He aimed to create a film that would be enjoyable for general audiences, not just Christians. He noted that this intention resonated well in the U.S.

Reflecting on the film's North American debut, Jang mentioned feeling calm, as the U.S. has a well-established system for predicting box office performance. He was pleasantly surprised when the film exceeded initial projections, which estimated around $12 million.

He pointed out that despite the U.S. being rich in Christian content, it had been 27 years since a major mainstream film like 'The Prince of Egypt' had been released. This gap has led to a significant interest in 'King of Kings', with audiences reflecting on their own industry, often commenting, "We should have made this ourselves."

When asked about his next project, Jang noted that following the success of 'King of Kings', he is now receiving offers from various studios, including major ones, expressing interest in collaborating on future projects. However, he admitted to feeling a bit apprehensive about jumping into another project right away, as he has a biblical story in mind but is currently experiencing burnout. He stated, "If I do take on another project, it should be something I find enjoyable. I believe I can handle both live-action and animated films, but for now, I feel it makes more sense to continue creating animated works."

Overall, Jang Seong-ho's reflections highlight the film's significant impact and his thoughtful approach to future endeavors.