Distributor Show Box announced that 'The King's Warden' has become the second most-watched film in Korean cinema history, reaching a cumulative 16.28 million admissions as of Saturday morning, April 11. Building on earlier milestones like surpassing 11 million in early March, it overtook 'Extreme Job' (16.26 million) but trails 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (17.6 million).
The film has also become Korea's highest-grossing, with 156.9 billion won ($115.6 million), topping 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents'' 135.7 billion won.
Whether it can overtake the all-time admissions leader remains to be seen. On Friday, it placed third at the box office with 38,000 tickets sold, behind 'Salmokji' (111,000) and 'Project Hail Mary' (56,000).
Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the film stars Yoo Hai-jin as village chief Eom Heung-do and Park Ji-hoon as deposed King Danjong, fictionalizing their friendship during the Joseon-era exile. Show Box praised the ensemble cast, emotional depth, villagers' loyalty, and authentic depiction of the exile site.
