(News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers

▲ King Danjong, portrayed by Park Ji-hoon, is seen in this still provided by Showbox. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ Village chief Eom Heung-do, played by Yoo Hai-jin, is seen in this still provided by Showbox. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ A poster for "The King's Warden" is seen in this image provided by Showbox. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(News Focus) Korean film-milestone

(News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers

By Woo Jae-yeon

SEOUL, March 6 (Yonhap) -- Drawing 10 million admissions has become a rarity in Korean cinema, at a time when streaming platforms dominate and theatrical releases face an uphill battle for viewers.

The historical film "The King's Warden" has just accomplished this rare milestone, reaching the 10 million audience mark on Friday, reigning over the domestic box office after two years during which no movie reached the coveted benchmark.

Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the film follows the final days of King Danjong's (Park Ji-hoon) tragic life during his exile. Drawing on historical facts while weaving in imaginative storytelling, it paints a picture of how the young king spends his remaining days -- ones that, despite their sorrow, are softened by the warmth and kindness of the local villagers led by village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hai-jin).

While a combination of factors, including a stroke of luck, undoubtedly contributes to a film's ability to attract such a massive audience, reviews consistently point to Park's performance as a pivotal element in the film's success.

The actor has been credited with convincingly portraying the desperate plight of the young king (1441-57), who reigned for roughly three years before being deposed by his uncle, King Sejo. He died at just 16 in exile in Cheongnyeongpo, Yeongwol, in what is now Gangwon Province.

On Naver, the country's major portal site, the film has earned an average rating of 8.93 out of 10 based on 6,292 viewer reviews as of Friday morning.

"His gaze is so powerful that you instantly see why Park Ji-hoon was cast for the role," one viewer wrote, a comment that resonated widely with over 12,700 users giving it a thumbs up.

Even more remarkably, the film marks the feature film debut of the actor, who previously made his name in a leading role in Netflix's hit series "Weak Hero."

Yoo Hai-jin, with his signature gift for wringing laughs from the most unlikely moments, brings much-needed lightness to the film. While not losing sight of the film's emotional core, the veteran actor draws viewers into the young king's suffering and brings to life the villagers' gradual, heartfelt transformation into his steadfast protectors.

Already a household name in Korean cinema, the actor is no stranger to the 10-million-admissions club, having appeared in "The King and the Clown," (2005) "Veteran," (2015), "A Taxi Driver" (2017) and "Exhuma" (2024).

Other cast also left their mark: Yoo Ji-tae of "Oldboy" and "One Fine Spring Day" delivers against type as the cold-blooded Han Myeong-hoe, a key aide to King Sejo, while Jeon Mi-do brings quiet strength and emotional resilience to Maehwa, the court lady who serves as the king's closest and most devoted attendant.

Another key driver of the film's success is its strong word-of-mouth appeal, establishing itself as a must-see film for all generations and attracting families to theaters in droves over both the Lunar New Year and the March 1st Independence Movement Day holidays.

What draws audiences to theaters is the film's portrayal of King Danjong's transformation, "from a monarch abandoned by the royal court to a man who finds common ground with ordinary people, enriches their lives and ultimately summons the courage to stand up against injustice," Yoon Sung-eun, a film critic, said.

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