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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Korean film 'The King's Warden' reaches 4 million viewers, watched by President Lee

Korean film 'The King's Warden' reaches 4 million viewers, watched by President Lee

Published Feb 18, 2026 06:11 pm
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (left) watched the historical film “The King’s Warden” starring Park Ji-hoon (left) (Photos from President Lee's Facebook account, X)
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (left) watched the historical film “The King’s Warden” starring Park Ji-hoon (left) (Photos from President Lee's Facebook account, X)

The film “The King’s Warden” has garnered four million viewers, including South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. 

“The King’s Warden” stars Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Hae-jin, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do, Lee Joon-hyuk, and Ahn Jae-hong.

Park Ji-hoon is a former member of K-pop boy band Wanna One and has starred in the hit series “Weak Hero Class 1” and “Weak Hero Class 2.” 

The historical Korean film is set in 1457 during the Joseon Dynasty and tells the story of King Danjong (Park Ji-hoon), who is betrayed by his uncle and dethroned. 

He is exiled to Cheongnyeongpo, Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, and encounters the village chief, Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin).  

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (Photo from President Lee's Facebook account)
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (Photo from President Lee's Facebook account)
Park Ji-hoon in “The King’s Warden” (X)
Park Ji-hoon in “The King’s Warden” (X)
Park Ji-hoon in “The King’s Warden” (X)
Park Ji-hoon in “The King’s Warden” (X)
Park Ji-hoon in “The King’s Warden” (X)
Park Ji-hoon in “The King’s Warden” (X)

“The King’s Warden” opened in South Korea on Feb. 4. According to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), “The King’s Warden” reached four million viewers on Feb. 18. 

This feat was faster than "The King and the Clown," which reached the four-million viewer mark in 17 days. 

The cast celebrated the achievement with photos released by distributor Showbox. 

One of those who watched “The King’s Warden” was President Lee. 

On Feb. 17, Lunar New Year or Seollal in South Korea, President Lee and his wife Kim Hye-kyung watched  “The King’s Warden” at CGV Yongsan in Seoul. 

Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter), “The power of Korean culture! I came to see a movie. For now, where and what I’m watching is a secret.” The Blue House later revealed the film to be “The King’s Warden.” 

“The King’s Warden” is currently the No. 1 film in South Korea in 2026 and the first film to reach four million viewers this year. 

As of Feb. 17, the film has earned $23.49 million at the Korean box office. With a reported production cost of 10.5 billion (about $7.27 million), the film’s break-even point was 2.6 million viewers. 

“The King’s Warden” was directed by Jang Hang-jun who also co-wrote it with Hwang Seong-gu. 

Park Ji-hoon (left) and Yoo Hae-jin, in “The King’s Warden” (X)
Park Ji-hoon (left) and Yoo Hae-jin, in “The King’s Warden” (X)
The cast and director “The King’s Warden”Park Ji-hoon celebrate the film reaching four million viewers in South Korea on Feb. 18 (x/Showbox
The cast and director “The King’s Warden”Park Ji-hoon celebrate the film reaching four million viewers in South Korea on Feb. 18 (x/Showbox
The cast and director “The King’s Warden”Park Ji-hoon celebrate the film reaching four million viewers in South Korea on Feb. 18 (x/Showbox
The cast and director “The King’s Warden”Park Ji-hoon celebrate the film reaching four million viewers in South Korea on Feb. 18 (x/Showbox

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