At the 35th Buil Film Awards, co-host Kim Nam-gil brought down the house with a hilarious on-stage apology to Park Ji-hoon, humorously referencing a brutal, 600-year-old Joseon royal betrayal connecting their upcoming films.
Film ceremonies in South Korea are frequently revered for their poise and glamour, but every so often, quick-witted banter between cinema powerhouses turns an awards gala into an unforgettable viral moment. That exact magic transpired on the evening of October 7 at the prestigious Signiel Busan in Haeundae, where the 35th Buil Film Awards unfolded alongside the electric festivities of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
Sharing the stage as main masters of ceremonies were acclaimed acting heavyweights Kim Nam-gil and Chun Woo-hee. While conducting live audience interviews between prize announcements, Kim Nam-gil suddenly locked eyes with rising movie star and former Wanna One frontrunner Park Ji-hoon—instigating a riotous exchange that quickly conquered international K-content feeds.
A 15th-Century Royal Coup Meets 21st-Century Cinema
To understand why Kim Nam-gil felt an overwhelming urge to apologize, one must dive into one of the most tragic and gripping chapters of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty history. In Korean historical lore, King Danjong was the tragic boy-king who ascended the throne at just 11 years old, only to be ruthlessly deposed and ultimately executed in 1453 by his power-hungry uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (who later seized the crown as King Sejo).
As fate would have it, both actors are headlining major upcoming cinematic epics set during this exact tumultuous era. Park Ji-hoon stars as the ill-fated young monarch Danjong in the buzzworthy feature film The Man Who Lives with the King (왕과 사는 남자). Meanwhile, Kim Nam-gil is gearing up to portray the ruthless usurper himself—Grand Prince Suyang—in director Jang Hoon's upcoming blockbuster Mongyudowondo (몽유도원도 / Dream of the Peach Blossom Land).
Without missing a beat, Kim Nam-gil looked directly into the audience at Park Ji-hoon and delivered his deadpan apology. Catching the historical reference in an instant, Park Ji-hoon responded with theatrical genius: furrowing his brows and flashing an adorably furious, betrayed death glare back at Kim, acting as if the wound from his character's royal uncle was still fresh. The spontaneous comedic clash caused the entire auditorium of A-list directors and actors to erupt into roaring laughter.
- The Historical Connection: Grand Prince Suyang (King Sejo) infamously usurped the crown from his young nephew, King Danjong, in the bloody Gyeyu Coup of 1453.
- Kim Nam-gil's Project: Mongyudowondo (directed by Jang Hoon), starring Kim Nam-gil as Grand Prince Suyang alongside Park Bo-gum and Lee Hyun-wook.
- Park Ji-hoon's Project: The Man Who Lives with the King, featuring Park as the tragic, deposed King Danjong.
- The Viral Moment: Kim's public apology on the microphone and Park Ji-hoon's mock-indignant reaction became an instant highlight of the 2026 Buil Film Awards.
Anticipation Surges for 'Mongyudowondo' and Park Ji-hoon's Ascent
Beyond the surface humor, the moment placed a sparkling spotlight on two of the most eagerly awaited Korean film releases. Mongyudowondo, helmed by master filmmaker Jang Hoon (A Taxi Driver, The Front Line), depicts the ideological rift between royal brothers Prince Suyang and Prince Anpyeong following the completion of the iconic 15th-century masterpiece painted by court painter An Gyeon. Boasting a stellar lineup including Kim Nam-gil, Park Bo-gum, and Lee Hyun-wook, the movie is primed as an epic exploration of royal ambition and tragic fate.
At the same time, Park Ji-hoon continues to solidify his reputation as one of Korea's most formidable twenty-something acting talents. Following his career-defining, critically lauded turn in the global hit series Weak Hero Class 1, taking on the deeply emotional mantle of King Danjong represents another profound artistic milestone for the young star.
For international cinema lovers and casual K-drama enthusiasts alike, seeing two top-tier performers acknowledge each other's work through witty meta-humor was a masterclass in Korean entertainment charm. With social media clips of the interaction accumulating hundreds of thousands of views within hours, both Mongyudowondo and The Man Who Lives with the King have received an enviable wave of global anticipation.
Kim Nam-gil jokingly apologized because he plays Grand Prince Suyang (King Sejo) in his upcoming movie 'Mongyudowondo,' while Park Ji-hoon plays King Danjong in 'The Man Who Lives with the King.' In real Korean history, Prince Suyang violently overthrew and killed his young nephew, King Danjong.
Directed by Jang Hoon, 'Mongyudowondo' revolves around the dramatic clash of ambitions between royal brothers Prince Suyang (Kim Nam-gil) and Prince Anpyeong during the Joseon Dynasty, sparked by the creation of the legendary painting 'Mongyudowondo.' The film also stars Park Bo-gum and Lee Hyun-wook.
Park Ji-hoon instantly caught on to the historical joke and playfully shot a mock-glare of indignation back at Kim Nam-gil from the audience, generating huge laughs across the auditorium and going viral on social media.