▲ This image provided by Showbox Co. shows a scene from "The King's Warden." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Korean film-admissions

'The King's Warden' surpasses 12 million admissions

SEOUL, March 11 (Yonhap) -- The Korean historical drama "The King's Warden" has drawn more than 12 million moviegoers nationwide, the film's distributor Showbox said Wednesday, extending its run as one of the biggest box-office successes in recent years.

The number surpasses the 11.91 million admissions recorded by "Exhuma," the most-viewed film of 2024, making "The King's Warden" the 20th title in Korean cinema history to cross the 12-million mark.

Released on Feb. 4, the film reached 10 million admissions on March 6, becoming the first title in two years since "Exhuma" and "The Roundup: Punishment" (2024) to achieve the feat.

In South Korea, 10 million ticket sales is widely regarded as the benchmark for big success for commercial films.

Directed by Jang Hang-jun, "The King's Warden" reimagines historical events through a fictional lens, following the unlikely friendship between village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hai-jin) and the deposed King Danjong (Park Ji-hoon) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) during the latter's exile in the village.

The film has drawn praise for its ensemble performances, which allow viewers to deeply connect with the young king's suffering and the villagers who rally wholeheartedly to his side, as well as its stunning depiction of the real-life exile location, among others.

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[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]