Discover the Secrets Behind ‘King and the Man’: A Deep Dive into Costumes and Makeup

The film “The King and the Man” has been garnering praise for its powerful historical narrative, driven by the actors’ compelling performances. The production team recently unveiled behind-the-scenes details about the makeup and costume design that helped shape the film’s distinctive style.

Directed by Jang Hang-jun, “The King and the Man” is set in 1457 and follows the intertwining stories of a village chief who voluntarily exiles himself to revitalize his town, and a young deposed king who finds himself banished from the throne.

Makeup director Song Jong-hee, known for his work on films like “Concrete Utopia” and “Decision to Leave,” prioritized creating relatable character appearances over strict historical accuracy. His goal was to visually convey the characters’ emotional journeys. “I aimed to highlight each character’s unique traits within the historical context,” Song explained. He utilized various elements such as hairstyles, skin tones, wrinkles, facial hair, and eyebrows to bring out the multifaceted narratives of each character. For instance, he portrayed village chief Eom Heung-do (played by Yoo Hae-jin) as a quintessential Korean father figure – responsible yet seemingly carefree – who guides his community.

Song’s makeup design for Eom Heung-do subtly evolves from a lighthearted appearance to a more serious one following his encounter with Lee Hong-wi. For the young ex-king Lee Hong-wi (Park Ji-hoon), Song aimed to visually represent the weight of his tumultuous life from his very first appearance. The makeup showcases Lee Hong-wi’s transformation from a frail, emaciated figure to one who regains vitality through his interactions with the villagers, ultimately reclaiming his regal dignity. The ambitious politician Han Myeong-hwe (Yoo Ji-tae) is characterized by strong eyebrows and a goatee, visually conveying his inner strength and ambition. For palace maid Mae-hwa (Jeon Mi-do), Song opted for a clean, understated look to emphasize her warmth and unwavering support for Lee Hong-wi. Song noted, “When an actor embodies the character in full makeup, a new presence emerges – something between the scripted character and the actor themselves.” This blend of historical authenticity and cinematic realism in the makeup design significantly enhances the audience’s immersion in the story.

Costume director Shim Hyun-seob, a veteran of historical dramas including “The Face Reader,” “The Night Owl,” and “The Throne,” shared his approach: “We based our designs on meticulous historical research while infusing them with creativity unique to our project.” Shim and his team crafted approximately 500 costumes to bring the world of “The King and the Man” to life. They primarily used natural fabrics with subtle color palettes to capture the simple, nature-oriented atmosphere of Gwangcheon Village. For Eom Heung-do, Shim designed a straw hat to underscore his humble yet witty character. Lee Hong-wi’s wardrobe includes a historically accurate black royal robe, reminiscent of what King Danjong wore during the Gye-yu Jeongnan period. Shim also incorporated white and pastel-toned robes to reflect the character’s melancholy and circumstances. “The gradual deterioration of Lee Hong-wi’s white robe during his exile journey symbolizes his emotional state,” Shim explained, capturing the character’s inner turmoil as he faces unprecedented hardships after losing everything. The costume design for Han Myeong-hwe features layered robes to create an imposing silhouette, befitting his position as the true power behind the throne. In contrast, Mae-hwa’s attire consists of soft, simple clothing that expresses her tender feelings towards Lee Hong-wi. As Shim aptly put it, “The costumes create a unique world for each production,” and in “The King and the Man,” they offer viewers an additional layer of visual storytelling, embodying each character’s individuality and emotional journey.

“The King and the Man” has already made a splash at the box office, attracting over 1 million viewers within its first five days of release. The film continues to draw audiences to theaters nationwide.

[Photo credit: “The King and the Man” film stills]