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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Korean film 'The King's Warden' records 6 million viewers, dominates box office

Korean film 'The King's Warden' records 6 million viewers, dominates box office

Published Feb 24, 2026 08:16 am
Korean singer and actor Park Ji-hoon in the film (X)
Korean singer and actor Park Ji-hoon in the film (X)

The film “The King’s Warden” reached six million viewers and continued to dominate the box office in South Korea. 

“The King’s Warden” achieved the record on Feb. 23 or in 20 days following its release in South Korea on Feb. 4. 

Based on box office data from the Korean Film Council’s Korea Box-office Information System, “The King’s Warden” recorded 195,484 total admissions on Feb. 23 to reach a total of 6,024,347 viewers. 

The feat surpassed the six-million marks previously achieved by the historical film "The King and the Clown" (29 days) and “The Throne” (26 days). 

It earned $1.27 million on Feb. 23 for a total haul of $40.34 million, or a whopping 72.98 percent share of the day’s revenue. 

Korean singer and actor Park Ji-hoon (X)
Korean singer and actor Park Ji-hoon (X)
The cast and director of ‘The King’s Warden’ celebrating the film's six-million viewer record on Feb. 23 (X/Showbox)
The cast and director of ‘The King’s Warden’ celebrating the film's six-million viewer record on Feb. 23 (X/Showbox)

In the weekend box office from Feb. 20 to 22 in South Korea, “The King’s Warden” earned the No. 1 spot, recording 1.41 million in total admissions and revenue of $9.56 million or a revenue share of 73.76 percent. 

With six million viewers, it is currently the No. 1 film in South Korea this year. 

“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 K-pop idol and actor who was a member of K-pop boy band Wanna One. He 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 in Korea 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).  

The cast and director got together again on Feb. 23 to celebrate the six-million viewer milestone. 

Korean President Lee Jae-myung and his wife watched “The King’s Warden” during “Seollal” or Lunar New Year. 

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