Park Ji Hoon reflects on 'The King's Warden' success, covers Singles Korea–Japan Issue

Actor-singer Park Ji Hoon, who achieved “10 million actor” status with the film 'The King's Warden,' has unveiled a new pictorial.

Park Ji Hoon, who reached the 10 million moviegoer milestone through the film, graced the joint Korea–Japan cover of Singles. In the newly released spread on April 15, he flawlessly pulled off a modern reinterpretation of traditional hanbok styling, completing a distinctive mood with his signature deep gaze and a wide range of expressions.

In an accompanying interview, Park Ji Hoon shared his thoughts on the film’s remarkable achievement of ranking No. 2 in all-time Korean box office history.

“I never expected to receive this much love,” he said. “When choosing a project, I value most what kind of emotions it can convey to the audience and what lingering impression it can leave behind.” Speaking about 'The King's Warden,' he added, “It’s especially meaningful because I cried a lot and poured so much energy into it during filming,” expressing his deep affection for the project.

One of the most talked-about aspects of the film was his sorrowful eye acting. When asked about it, Park Ji Hoon jokingly replied, “I can only thank my parents,” drawing laughter.

Park Ji Hoon is set to continue a busy year following The Man Who Lives with the King. This month, he will make his long-awaited return as a singer, along with activities from Wanna One, reuniting for the first time in seven years. In May, he will also star in 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,' showcasing his versatility across both acting and music.

Regarding the highly anticipated Wanna One reunion, he shared, “I missed the members so much, and I wanted to show fans a better side of us again, which is why I decided to participate,” expressing his heartfelt feelings toward the group.

He also revealed behind-the-scenes stories from filming the reality show Wanna One Go: Back to Base. “I was worried whether we could recreate the same chemistry after so much time had passed, but that concern was unnecessary,” he said. “As soon as we met, we couldn’t stop laughing and have been filming with so much joy.” The variety show is set to premiere on April 28 at 6 PM via Mnet Plus, followed by a broadcast on Mnet at 8 PM.

Lastly, Park Ji Hoon expressed his gratitude to fans, saying, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support of my fans. I will continue to refine what I can show and present my own unique color moving forward.”

Meanwhile, his first single album 'RE:FLECT' will be released on April 29 at 6 PM across various online music platforms. He will also take on the lead role of Kang Sung Jae in 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,' a military cooking fantasy drama that follows an ordinary private who trades his rifle for a kitchen knife and embarks on a journey to become a “legendary cook soldier.” The series promises lighthearted entertainment through the lively daily lives of diverse military characters, and is set to premiere on May 11 at 8:50 PM on TVING and tvN.