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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Korean film 'The King's Warden' achieves 7 million viewers, faster than 'Zootopia 2'

Korean film 'The King's Warden' achieves 7 million viewers, faster than 'Zootopia 2'

Published Feb 28, 2026 11:44 am
Korean actors Park Ji-hoon (left) and Yoo Hae-jin in "The King's Warden" (X)
Korean actors Park Ji-hoon (left) and Yoo Hae-jin in "The King's Warden" (X)

The Korean film “The King’s Warden” continued its winning streak at the Korean box office, recording seven million viewers on Feb. 27 or in 24 days. 

Based on data from the Korean Film Council’s Korea Box-office Information System, “The King’s Warden” recorded 278,061 total admissions on Feb. 27 to bring the total viewers to 7,011,501. 

The figure is faster than “Zootopia 2,” which achieved the seven-million viewer mark in South Korea in 30 days. 

“Zootopia 2,” released on Nov. 25, became the No. 1 film in South Korea in 2025, recording 7.7 million in total admissions and revenue of $51.38 million. 

“The King’s Warden” was also faster than the Korean film "The King and the Clown," which achieved seven million viewers in 33 days. 

On Feb. 27, “The King’s Warden” earned $1,912,036, or revenue share of 76.93 percent, to bring its total haul to $46.63 million since its opening in South Korea on Feb. 4. It is currently the No. 1 film in South Korea. 

Korean actors Park Ji-hoon (right) and Yoo Hae-jin in the poster for
Korean actors Park Ji-hoon (right) and Yoo Hae-jin in the poster for "The King's Warden" (X)
Korean actors Park Ji-hoon and Yoo Hae-jin in
Korean actors Park Ji-hoon and Yoo Hae-jin in "The King's Warden" (X)
The director and cast of
The director and cast of "The King's Warden" celebrating the film's achievement of reaching seven million viewers in South Korea (X)

“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 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 King’s Warden” 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).  

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

"The King's Warden" (X)
Park Ji-hoon in
Park Ji-hoon in "The King's Warden" (X)
Park Ji-hoon (X)
Park Ji-hoon (X)
Park Ji-hoon (X)
Park Ji-hoon (X)
Park Ji-hoon (X)
Park Ji-hoon (X)
Park Ji-hoon during the filming of
Park Ji-hoon during the filming of "The King's Warden" (X)
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