[EPN Enpinau reporter Ko Nari] The historical drama 'The Man Who Lives with the King' surpassed 16 million admissions roughly two months after its release, marking a new milestone in South Korean cinema.
Distributor Showbox said on the morning of April 5 that the film exceeded 16 million admissions and moved into third place on Korea's all-time box-office list. The milestone came 61 days after the Feb. 4 opening, and the film had long since eclipsed its break-even point of 2.6 million admissions.
Lead actor Park Ji‑hoon expressed gratitude for the film's runaway success. His agency, YY Entertainment, posted behind-the-scenes monitoring footage on its official social channels, and Park left a heartfelt message — "Please don't suffer too much... I will come to you soon" — that resonated with fans.
The released clip shows Park walking in the rain, a moment that captures King Danjong's solitude and quiet resolve.
'The Man Who Lives with the King' now sits third behind Myeongryang (17.61 million admissions) and Extreme Job (16.26 million). With roughly 260,000 admissions to go before overtaking Extreme Job, the industry is closely watching the film's continued run.
Set in 1457 at Cheongryeongpo, the film centers on village head Eom Heung‑do, who heads into exile to save his village, and the dethroned young king Danjong (Yi Hong‑wi). Director Jang Hang‑jun's assured direction and nuanced performances from Yoo Hae‑jin, Park Ji‑hoon, Yoo Ji‑tae and Jeon Mi‑do have resonated with audiences across generations.
Box-office observers are now watching whether the film can climb to No. 2; steady audience turnout has kept the possibility of a new record alive.
Photo: YY Entertainment social media
