The historical film The King's Warden has maintained its lead at the South Korean box office, surpassing 5.8 million cumulative viewers just three weeks after its release. According to data from the Korean Film Council, it drew 1.41 million moviegoers from Friday to Sunday. This figure more than doubles its break-even point of approximately 2.6 million.
Directed by Jang Hang-jun, whose previous films include the action comedy Break Out (2002) and the sports drama Rebound (2023), The King's Warden reimagines Joseon-era events through fiction. It centers on the unlikely friendship between village chief Eom Heung-do, played by Yoo Hai-jin, and the young deposed King Danjong, portrayed by Park Ji-hoon, during the king's exile. Danjong ascended the throne at age 10 in 1452 but lost it in a 1453 coup by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (later King Sejo), and was exiled to Yeongwol in Gangwon Province in 1457. Historical records conflict on his death at age 16, with accounts ranging from suicide to poisoning or strangulation, providing the film with dramatic tension.
Since its February 4 opening, the film has steadily built momentum, surpassing 5 million admissions by Saturday to become this year's top-grossing release. It added 1.41 million viewers over the weekend, reaching a cumulative total of over 5.8 million—more than double its break-even point of about 2.6 million. Trailing far behind is Humint, directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, which attracted 239,368 moviegoers over the weekend and 1.57 million since its February 11 release.
The narrative draws from Joseon annals and legends, such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty describing Danjong's suicide, while later records suggest royal-ordered poisoning or strangulation by a court attendant. These discrepancies allow the film to craft an emotional story, blending historical fragments with invention, highlighted by strong performances, especially from 26-year-old Park in his feature lead debut.
