In upcoming political thriller “The King,” Zo In-sung returns to the big screen as ambitious prosecutor Tae-soo, who yearns to wield absolute power.

To rise to the top, Tae-soo teams up with Han Kang-sik, played by Jung Woo-sung, a kingmaker who is the real decision-maker behind the country’s politics.

“I thought it was very brave,” said Jung at a Thursday press conference in southern Seoul, regarding the film’s resemblance to Korea’s current scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye and her influence-peddling confidante.

“When I first read the script, I thought it was a good satire of society,” he said. “But when we finished filming, the film seemed oddly similar to reality. I asked the director (Han Jae-rim) if he had psychic powers.”

Jung wanted to “drag his character down,” he said.

“(Kang-sik) looks distinguished and noble, but hidden inside him is an intensely immoral ... side. I wanted to show how that acts as ... violence to the people.”

This is Zo’s first movie since “A Frozen Flower” in 2008. Jung starred in “Asura: City of Madness,” released in September.

“The King,” produced by Woojoo Film and distributed by Next Entertainment World, will open in January. It also stars Ryu Jun-yeol and Bae Sung-woo.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)