The King's Warden directed by Jang Hang-jun has surpassed 10 million viewers, ending a two-year wait for a Korean film to reach the milestone and reaffirming the resilience of the local theatrical market.
According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office system on March 7, the film drew 271,762 moviegoers on March 6 alone and surpassed a cumulative audience of 10 million at approximately 6:32 p.m.
Set in Cheongnyeongpo in 1457, The King's Warden follows a village head who voluntarily chooses exile in hopes of reviving his struggling community and a young dethroned king who is sent into exile after losing the throne. The film drew early attention for exploring a previously untold story surrounding King Danjong, while performances by Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do, and Kim Min fueled strong word-of-mouth and sustained box office momentum.
The milestone also marks the fourth historical film in Korean cinema to surpass 10 million viewers, following The King and the Clown, Masquerade, and The Admiral Roaring Currents. Industry observers are now watching how far the film’s final box office tally may climb.
For the cast, the achievement carries particular significance. Yoo Hae-jin, who portrays village chief Um Heung-do, records his fifth ten-million film. Yoo Ji-tae, who plays the powerful political figure Han Myeong-hoe, celebrates the first ten-million film of his acting career.
Meanwhile Park Ji-hoon, who moved audiences as the dethroned young king Yi Hong-wi, achieves a rare feat by reaching the 10 million milestone with his very first commercial film debut.
Meanwhile, the animated feature Hoppers held second place at the box office, drawing 20,801 viewers for a cumulative total of 102,162.
Hoppers follows Mabel, a girl who becomes a robotic beaver through a technology known as “hopping” and infiltrates a vibrant animal world, embarking on an unexpected adventure.
Humint ranked third with 9,905 viewers, bringing its cumulative audience to 1,898,284.
Set in Vladivostok, where both secrets and truths sink beneath icy waters, Humint depicts a tense clash between individuals driven by different motives. The film is directed by Ryoo Seung-wan and stars Zo In-sung, Park Jung-min, Shin Se-kyung, and Park Hae-joon.
Mad Dance Office starring Yum Hye-ran and Choi Sung-eun placed fourth with 3,915 viewers, raising its cumulative total to 16,104.
The film tells the story of Guk-hee, a government employee who had lived a perfectly controlled life until unexpected setbacks lead her to discover hope through flamenco.
Bride! ranked fifth, drawing 2,958 viewers for a cumulative total of 14,061.
Set in the United States during the 1930s, Bride! follows a resurrected woman brought back at the request of Frankenstein and the extraordinary love that unfolds between them.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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