Home > Entertainment > Movies

'The King's Warden' becomes second most watched film in Korea, smashes 16.28 million admissions

Published: 11 Apr. 2026, 15:30 Updated: 12 Apr. 2026, 10:49

JIN MIN-JI
[email protected]

Director and actors of the box-office sensation “The King’s Warden” express gratitude over the film's milestone. The film became the second most watched movie in Korea with 16.28 million admissions as of April 11, surpassing the previous second place holder ″Extreme Job″ (2014). [SHOWBOX]

The box-office sensation “The King’s Warden” became the second most watched film in Korea, with the total admissions breaking past 16.28 million on Saturday.

The cumulative admissions for the historic film reached 16,283,970 since its release on Feb. 4, surpassing the 16.26 million admissions of the 2019 comedy “Extreme Job.” It now ranks second only to the 2014 war epic “Roaring Currents,” which drew 17.6 million viewers.

Directed by Jang Hang-jun, “The King’s Warden” follows the unlikely friendship between village chief Eom Heung-do and the deposed King Danjong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) during the king's exile. It stars actors Yoo Hai-jin and Park Ji-hoon.

The film’s accomplishment was noted by President Lee Jae Myung after it achieved the milestone of garnering 10 million admissions early March to become the 34th film released in Korea to pass the mark and the first to do so in two years since 2024.

BY JIN MIN-JI [[email protected]]