Producer Im Eun-jung reflects on success of The King’s Warden

Mar 11, 2026, 08:46 am

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Im Eun-jung, CEO of Onda Works and producer of the film The King's Warden, speaks during an interview at the Showbox office in Seoul on March 9. / Park Sung-il

Im Eun-jung, CEO of film production company Onda Works and producer of the hit film The King’s Warden, said she feels cautious about celebrating the movie’s success despite its strong box-office performance.

The historical drama surpassed 10 million admissions on March 6, just 31 days after its release, and has continued to draw audiences. According to the Korean Film Council’s box office database, the film had accumulated 11.7 million viewers as of March 9, surpassing major hits such as Train to Busan, The Roundup: Punishment and The Attorney.

In an interview at the Showbox office in Seoul on March 9, Im said the achievement was meaningful but difficult to celebrate wholeheartedly given the current struggles facing the film industry.

“If this had happened when I was working at CJ ENM on films like Veteran or Ode to My Father, I might have joked with colleagues that it was all thanks to me,” she said. “But many talented filmmakers who could tell great stories are currently not working, so I feel very cautious about enjoying this success alone.”

The name of her company, Onda Works, reflects Im’s personal passion for surfing. Korean surfers often shout “Onda!” when a good wave approaches, and the word also means “wave” in Portuguese—a discovery she made while visiting a surf shop during a trip to Portugal while considering leaving CJ ENM to start her own company.

Hoping that good opportunities would arrive like waves, she chose the name Onda for her company. Her wish appears to have come true with the success of The King’s Warden.

Im first decided to adapt the story into a film around 2018–2019 while searching for a historical project told from the perspective of ordinary people rather than palace intrigue. However, development stalled at the second script stage when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the industry.

After leaving CJ ENM in March 2023, she began full-scale pre-production and eventually asked director Jang Hang-jun, known for the film Rebound, to helm the project.

“One of the most important principles in adapting and directing this story was not to handle the historical figures Danjong and Eom Heung-do carelessly,” she said. “I believed director Jang would respect that.”

Despite not knowing him personally, Im managed to send Jang the script through mutual contacts and later met him to pitch the project.

“I told him that no matter how difficult the situation might be, theaters remain open and movies are still needed,” she said. “Perhaps he liked that practical approach, because he accepted the directing offer sooner than expected.”

Filming progressed relatively smoothly thanks to the dedication of the director and cast, including actor Yoo Hae-jin, who plays the village leader Eom Heung-do.

Im also acknowledged criticism regarding a computer-generated tiger scene in the film.

“I felt very sorry to the CG team when people pointed out issues with the scene,” she said. “Because the release schedule was moved up, the responsibility lies with me.”

She added that the scene may be revised after the film completes its theatrical run.

Despite the remarkable success of her first production, Im said she considers it only the beginning. She is currently preparing her next project from among several ideas while continuing to work from a shared office space.

“For now, I can only say that the next project will likely be another period piece,” she said. “I want to keep meeting audiences with works that offer both meaning and entertainment while responding to what people emotionally and intellectually need.”

She joked that one subject she will avoid is surfing.

“If a hobby becomes work, it can get complicated,” she said with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Onda Works responded to a recent television report claiming that the film’s storyline resembled a script written for an earlier drama titled Eom Heung-do. The company denied the allegations, stating that the plagiarism claim is “groundless” and that it will respond firmly through legal procedures if necessary.

#Im Eun-jung #Onda Works #The King’s Warden #Korean film industry #Jang Hang-jun