“The King’s Warden” Ascends to Second All-Time in South Korean Box Office Admissions, Becomes Highest-Grossing Film Ever
The acclaimed Korean historical drama, “The King’s Warden,” has achieved a monumental milestone, attracting a cumulative audience of 16.28 million as of Saturday morning. This impressive figure officially surpasses the 16.26 million admissions recorded by the 2019 comedy action hit, “Extreme Job,” making “The King’s Warden” the second most-watched film in South Korean box office history, according to Show Box data.
Currently, “The King’s Warden” stands only behind the 2014 war epic, “The Admiral: Roaring Currents,” which holds the undisputed all-time record with a staggering 17.6 million admissions. The film’s remarkable performance solidifies its place among Korea’s cinematic giants.
In terms of box office revenue, “The King’s Warden” has already claimed the top spot, cementing its status as the highest-grossing Korean film of all time. It has grossed an astonishing 156.9 billion won (approximately US$10.56 million), significantly outperforming the 135.7 billion won earned by “The Admiral: Roaring Currents.”
Despite its historic revenue achievement, the possibility of “The King’s Warden” closing the admissions gap with “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” remains a topic of speculation. On Friday, the film ranked third in the highly competitive local box office, selling 38,000 tickets. It trailed behind the mystery horror “Salmokji” with 111,000 admissions and “Project Hail Mary” with 56,000 ticket sales, indicating strong new releases are challenging its continued climb.
Directed by the visionary Jang Hang-jun, “The King’s Warden” offers a compelling reimagining of historical events through a captivating fictional narrative. The plot centers on the unlikely bond formed between the courageous village chief Eom Heung-do, powerfully portrayed by Yoo Hai-jin, and the deposed King Danjong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), brought to life by Park Ji-hoon, during the King’s poignant exile in a humble village.
This critically acclaimed historical drama has garnered widespread praise for its exceptional ensemble performance, which allows viewers to forge a deep emotional connection with the young king’s plight and the unwavering loyalty of the villagers who rally to his cause. Additionally, the film is celebrated for its breathtakingly accurate and stunning depiction of the real-life exile location, further immersing audiences in its rich historical tapestry.
