Jang Hang Jun fears his 17 million crown, so Bong Tae-gyu rounds up

"I've never been number one" Jang Hang-jun's honest feelings

Film director Jang Hang-jun has revealed his unexpected inner thoughts at the peak of his career's first box office success. The recently released film 'The King's Warden' recorded a cumulative audience of 16.91 million, ranking second in the all-time Korean film box office rankings. With this, Jang Hang-jun has entered the ranks of "10 million director" status.

However, amidst the ongoing celebrations, he expressed pressure rather than cheers. Jang Hang-jun shared his current feelings during the recording of JTBC's 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' preview and SBS Plus's 'Time Tracker Seollok.' Regarding the title "17 million director" being applied to him, he showed a shy reaction, stating, "It feels like I'm being mocked on a massive scale." He confessed to being frightened by this unprecedented success, the first in his 24 years since debut. He expressed the weight of being number one without reservation, saying, "I've never been number one in my life, so being in this position as I get older is a huge burden and is scary."

Actor Bong Tae-gyu, who was present, threw a joke at Jang Hang-jun's reaction. Bong Tae-gyu made the scene erupt in laughter by revealing that when introducing Jang Hang-jun on set, he actually asked to "introduce him as a 20 million director by rounding up."

SBS Plus 'Time Tracker Seollok' Premiere... Tracing the History of Iran

Jang Hang-jun's wit continues in the new variety program 'Time Tracker Seollok.' Premiering on the 14th at 10:30 PM, SBS Plus's 'Time Tracker Seollok' is a historical tracking variety show that finds gaps in historical records to uncover hidden stories. Jang Hang-jun serves as the main MC, joined by actor Bong Tae-gyu, broadcaster Shin A-young, and history storyteller Sun Kim.

The first episode deals with Iran, which is currently at the center of international affairs. Set against the backdrop of heightened tensions following air strikes on Iran by the US and Israel, the show traces the historical processes through which modern-day Iran was formed. Actor Lee Sang-yeob, Middle East expert Professor Park Hyun-do, and former Miss Iran model Hoda Nikou have joined as special guests.

The cast travels back to the history of the ancient Persian Empire, which holds the pride of Iran. When it was revealed that Persian culture influenced European fashion, Jang Hang-jun expressed surprise, saying, "I didn't know that for the first time." Actor Lee Sang-yeob, who holds a Level 1 Korean History Proficiency Test certification, pointed out the historical connection that Persian cultural influence reached as far as the Unified Silla period on the Korean Peninsula.

Park Jin-young's surprise casting appeal: "I'm a good actor"

Jang Hang-jun is building a unique character as he moves between the variety and film industries. In a preview for JTBC's 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator,' Jang Hang-jun showed a sly side, introducing himself as "a world-class maestro born in Korea."

In particular, the preview teased a meeting with singer Park Jin-young. Park Jin-young actively appealed to Jang Hang-jun, asking him to cast him. Park Jin-young confidently stated, "Park Jin-young is a good actor. I am comedic," claiming he could capture the vibe of Yoo Hae-jin from the film 'The King's Warden.' To this, Jang Hang-jun responded wittily, "Park Jin-young, your acting is on the level of Yoo Hae-jin?"