In a streaming era dominated by online platforms, what kind of film can still draw more than 16 million moviegoers in a short period after release, winning the box-office crown for eight straight weeks and topping the all-time list of Korean film box office records? That is "The King's Warden", an adaptation based on real-life Korean history, depicting a heartfelt friendship between an emperor and an ordinary man from the streets.
The film has amassed 142.5 billion won (about US$95.3 million) in cumulative ticket sales, breaking historical records and surpassing "Extreme Job" and "The Admiral: Roaring Currents", to become the highest-grossing movie in Korean history. The blockbuster is now set to open in Hong Kong on May 14, with many netizens posting comments under the trailer, saying they "want to watch it for a long time" and that they "will definitely support it by going to the cinema."
"The King's Warden" is a historical costume drama. Based on the tragic life of Danjong, who was later deposed in Korean history and demoted to "Nosan Gun," the movie was produced on a budget of only 10 billion won, yet created a box-office miracle.
The movie premiered in South Korea on Feb. 4, and its moving story resonated across generations. Within just one month, audience admissions surpassed the 10 million mark. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung publicly congratulated the director, cast, and all behind-the-scenes teams, affirming that during Korea's film off-season, the film injected a much-needed boost to the industry.
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