# The King (2017 South Korean film)

The King (Korean: 더킹; RR: Deo king) is a 2017 South Korean crime drama film written and directed by Han Jae-rim, starring Zo In-sung, Jung Woo-sung, Bae Seong-woo, Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Eui-sung, and Kim Ah-joong.

## Synopsis

Story about Park Tae-soo who's born in a poor family, decides to become a prosecutor after learning that power is the most important thing in life and, the biggest symbol of power in the 90’s. After entering the most prestigious law school, experiencing democratic resistance in Korea, Tae-soo finally reaches his goal of becoming a prosecutor but his life is no better than a salary man. By chance, he joins a clique of the powerful prosecutors with wealth and authority. He finally gets a taste of a life of the top hierarchy, but as he enjoys the sweetness of supremacy, he also sees the cruel side of it.

## Cast

* Zo In-sung as Park Tae-soo
* Jung Woo-sung as Han Kang-shik
* Bae Seong-woo as Yang Dong-chul
* Ryu Jun-yeol as Choi Doo-il
* Kim Eui-sung as Kim Eung-soo
* Kim Ah-joong as Sang-hee
* Kim Min-jae as Baek Gi-ja
* Jung Sung-mo as Park Myung-hoon
* Jung Eun-chae as Park Shi-yeon
* Kim So-jin as Ahn Hee-yeon
* Hwang Seung-eon as Jun Hee-sung
* Oh Dae-hwan as Song Baek-ho
* Jung In-gi as Senior prosecutor
* Song Young-chang as Lee Hak-cheol
* Go Ah-sung as Kim Yang
* Park Jeong-min as Heo Gi-hoon
* Jo Woo-jin as Park Tae-soo's detective
* Jang Myung-gab as Um Hyun-gi
* Han Soo-yeon as Hostess
* Lee Joo-yeon as Cha Mi-ryeon
* Lee Yeol-eum as Eul-sun
* Shin Ryu-jin as Ji Min
* Park Ji-hong as Tae-soo's friend
* Choi Yeong-do as man involved in an accident
* Mi Seok as gang member 2
* Sung Dong-il as Tae-soo's teacher

## Production

First script reading took place in late January, 2016. Filming began on February 4 and finished July 3, 2016. Filming took place in Seoul, Daejeon and Busan in South Korea.

## Promotion and release

The film's first trailer has broken the record for most views for a Korean movie trailer with more than 7.17 million views in seven days within its release.
The film was released in South Korea on January 18, 2017. The film had a limited release in North America on January 27, 2017.

## Reception

The film was number-one on its opening in South Korea, with 1.85 million admissions and US$13.2 million in gross. In total, the film gathered 5.31 million spectators and grossed US$38.5 million nationwide, making it the 7th highest-grossing South Korean film in 2017.

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Bae Sung-woo | Nominated |
| 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kim So-jin | Won |
| 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actor | Ryu Jun-yeol | Won |
| 26th Buil Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Ryu Jun-yeol | Nominated |
| 26th Buil Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kim So-jin | Nominated |
| 26th Buil Film Awards | Best Cinematography | Kim Woo-hyung | Nominated |
| 26th Buil Film Awards | Best Art Direction | The King | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Film | The King | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Director | Han Jae-rim | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | Zo In-sung | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Bae Sung-woo | Won |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kim So-jin | Won |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Technical Award | The King | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Planning | The King | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Art Direction | Lee Na-gyeom | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Screenplay | Han Jae-rim | Won |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Music | Mowg | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Costume Design | Cho Sang-kyung | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Lighting | Kim Seung-gyoo | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Cinematography | Kim Woo-hyeong | Nominated |
| 54th Grand Bell Awards | Best Editing | Sin Min-kyeong | Won |
| 1st The Seoul Awards | Best Film | The King | Nominated |
| 1st The Seoul Awards | Best Actor | Jung Woo-sung | Nominated |
| 1st The Seoul Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Bae Sung-woo | Nominated |
| 1st The Seoul Awards | Best New Actor | Ryu Jun-yeol | Won |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Film | The King | Nominated |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Actor | Zo In-sung | Nominated |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Popular Star Award | Zo In-sung | Won |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Bae Sung-woo | Nominated |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kim So-jin | Won |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Cinematography and Lighting | Kim Woo-hyung & Kim Seung-gyu | Nominated |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Editing | Shin Min-kyung | Won |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Music | Mowg | Nominated |
| 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Art Direction | Lee Na-gyeom | Nominated |
| 17th Director's Cut Awards | Special Mentions | The King | Won |
| 12th Asian Film Awards | Best Editing | Shin Min-kyung | Won |
| 9th KOFRA Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kim So-jin | Won |
| 2nd Malaysia Golden Global Awards | Best Actor | Zo In-sung | Nominated |