Can ‘King’s Warden’ join ‘10 mil. viewer club’ after Lunar New Year success?
Actor Park Ji-hoon portrays King Danjong in a scene from “The King’s Warden.” Courtesy of Showbox
"The King’s Warden" is quickly emerging as a strong candidate for the "10 million viewer club" after gathering explosive momentum during the Lunar New Year holiday, box office data showed Wednesday.
The historical drama directed by Jang Hang-jun garnered more than 4 million admissions as of Wednesday, reaching its break-even point and dominating the domestic film market, according to the Korean Film Council.
In the local film industry, where success is measured by the number of tickets sold rather than box office revenue, hitting the 10 million mark is considered the indicator of a blockbuster.
While 2024 saw two such hits with "Exhuma" and "The Roundup: Punishment," the local film industry failed to produce a single 10-million-seller last year. This stagnation was attributed to the shifting of investments toward streaming platforms, with annual admissions last year totaling just 105.48 million, just half of the 200 million recorded annually before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The King’s Warden" tells the story of Danjong, the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), who was exiled to a remote village after being ousted by his uncle. The film follows the emotional tale of the young exiled King (Park Ji-hoon) and the village head Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin) as they build an unlikely bond.
The film set a record on Monday by attracting 537,190 viewers in a single day, marking the highest daily attendance during a Lunar New Year period since March 2020. This performance has propelled the film to the top of the box office so far this year, and interest in the movies continues to grow as it shows high reservation rates.
Actors Park Ji-hoon, left, and Yoo Hae-jin in a scene from “The King’s Warden” / Courtesy of Showbox
The historic movie is receiving acclaim for its warm portrayal of a tragic history. Prominent critic Lee Dong-jin noted that the film strikes a profound chord, while local media praised director Jang for filling in the cold blanks of historical records with human warmth. Audiences have also responded with great enthusiasm, with many calling the movie a fresh spark for the struggling local film industry.
Critics and audiences have praised the performances of the lead actors, particularly highlighting the chemistry between Yoo and Park. "The historical tragedy was beautifully reinterpreted with a warm perspective, and Park Ji-hoon’s expressive gaze left many viewers in tears," a moviegoer wrote in a review on a cinema website.
The box office success has largely been driven by strong word of mouth and a unique cultural phenomenon among younger audiences. Similar to past hits like "12.12: The Day" (2023) and "Exhuma" (2024), fans are engaging with the film through parodies and social media activities, enhancing its visibility.
Some fans have taken their immersion to navigation and map apps, leaving creative reviews at historical sites related to the characters. While Jangneung, Danjong’s tomb, is receiving messages of support and high ratings, the tomb of King Sejo, Danjong’s uncle, has been hit with review bombs and angry comments from fans who were moved by the tragic depiction of the exiled king in the film.
As ticket sales continue to rise even after the holiday peak, it remains to be seen if "The King’s Warden" can become the first film since 2024 to reach the 10 million milestone. With a 12-and-over rating, the film is attracting a wide range of viewers, with people in their 40s making up 30 percent of the audience.