‘The King and the Man’ sparks hope for theaters

Mar 09, 2026, 10:18 am

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The historical film “The King and the Man Who Lives” surpassed 10 million viewers on March 6. / Showbox

The historical film “The King and the Man Who Lives” has surpassed 10 million viewers, bringing renewed energy to South Korea’s struggling movie theater industry.

While the film’s success has sparked hopes for a recovery in cinema attendance, industry insiders say the real challenge will be whether high-quality films can be supplied consistently in the coming years.

According to distributor Showbox, the film passed the 10 million ticket mark on March 6, becoming the 34th film in Korean box-office history to achieve the milestone. It is also the first Korean movie to reach the mark in about two years, following hits such as “Exhuma” and “The Roundup: Punishment.”

Although the story is based on the historical Gyeyu Coup, a subject frequently portrayed in Korean film and television, the movie gained attention for its fresh perspective.

Instead of focusing solely on royal politics, the narrative unfolds largely through the eyes of ordinary people represented by the character Eom Heung-do (played by Yoo Hae-jin). The film also reinterprets the deposed king Danjong (played by Park Ji-hoon) as a compassionate but unfinished ruler who connects with commoners, while portraying Han Myeong-hoe (played by Yoo Ji-tae) with a powerful physical presence.

Director Jang Hang-jun’s accessible storytelling and strong performances from the cast helped propel the film to massive popularity.

The film’s success has also contributed to a broader rise in theater attendance.

According to the Korean Film Council, cinema admissions during January and February this year reached about 20.45 million, a 42.2 percent increase compared with the same period last year.

Of those viewers, 15.29 million watched Korean films, accounting for 74.8 percent of total attendance.

Audience demographics were also diverse. Data from CGV show that viewers in their 40s accounted for 27 percent, followed by 30s (25 percent), 20s (21 percent) and 50 and older (18 percent) — suggesting broad cross-generational appeal.

The film’s audience satisfaction score on CGV’s Golden Egg Index stands at 97 percent, reflecting strong word-of-mouth.

Industry observers say the film’s performance demonstrates that the demand for theaters still exists, even in an era dominated by OTT streaming services.

“If a well-made film is released, audiences are still willing to return to theaters,” said Hwang Jae-hyun, head of strategy support at CGV.

He added that theaters offer an immersive experience that cannot easily be replicated on television or streaming platforms.

However, experts warn that the industry’s recovery will depend on the steady supply of new films.

Director Jang recently said he decided to participate in the project after hearing that “there would soon be no movies left to screen in theaters.”

Data show that CJ ENM, Lotte Entertainment, NEW, Showbox and Plus M Entertainment — the five major Korean distributors — currently have 22 Korean commercial films scheduled for release this year.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 40 Korean commercial films were produced annually, meaning the current pipeline is roughly half the previous level.

Industry officials say that for the success of “The King and the Man Who Lives” to translate into a sustained recovery for theaters, the key will be whether a consistent stream of high-quality films can follow.

If that happens, they believe it could revive investment and production, creating a virtuous cycle in the Korean film industry.

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