South Korean Box Office Rebounds with ‘The King’s Warden’ and a Renewed Focus on the Cinema Experience

After several years of challenges, the South Korean box office is showing signs of a strong recovery, driven in part by the success of historical drama film The King’s Warden. Released on February 4, 2026, the film has already surpassed 13 million admissions as of March 15, 2026, becoming the 11th most successful movie in South Korea.^[1] This success is viewed as part of a broader trend of audiences returning to theaters after a period of increased focus on over-the-top (OTT) content.

‘The King’s Warden’ Achieves Box Office Success

The King’s Warden (왕과 사는 남자), directed by Jang Hang-jun, stars an ensemble cast including Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, and Jeon Mi-do.^[1] The film tells the story of King Danjong after his deposition in 1457, exploring his exile and the dynamics between him and those tasked with overseeing him.^[1] The film reached 10 million admissions by March 6, 2026, making it the 34th film in South Korea to achieve this milestone.^[1] Its box office revenue currently stands at $86.7 million.^[1]

A Return to Theaters After OTT Dominance

The success of The King’s Warden isn’t occurring in isolation. The latter half of 2025 saw a positive shift in audience behavior, with films like Zombie Daughter (5.64 million viewers), Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Edition, Zootopia 2, If We, and God’s Orchestra all performing well.^[1] This indicates a renewed interest in the theatrical experience after a period where audiences increasingly turned to streaming platforms.

Films Reflecting on the Cinema Experience

This resurgence of interest in theaters has also inspired filmmakers to create works that directly address the meaning and value of the cinema experience. Several recent films explore this theme:

• Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema: A documentary by former Busan International Film Festival executive chairman Kim Dong-ho, featuring interviews with prominent directors and actors about their memories of and perspectives on the theater.^[1]
• Times of the Theater: An anthology film commemorating the 25th anniversary of Cinecube, featuring segments directed by Lee Jong-pil, Yoon Ga-eun, and Jang Geon-jae.^[1]

Exploring Perspectives within ‘Times of the Theater’

Lee Jong-pil’s segment, ‘Chimpanzee,’ follows three cinephiles as they investigate a mysterious story involving imported chimpanzees.^[1] Yoon Ga-eun’s ‘Naturally’ examines the director’s pursuit of naturalistic acting and the inherent artificiality of filmmaking.^[1] Jang Geon-jae’s ‘Movie Time’ portrays the theater itself as a character, highlighting the unexpected encounters and experiences that occur within its walls.^[1]

The Future of Cinema in the Age of Streaming and AI

Despite the growing popularity of OTT platforms and the emergence of AI-generated content, the unique experience of watching a film in a shared space remains significant. As the Lumière brothers recognized when they first screened a film to the public, the communal aspect of cinema is central to its essence.^[1] The success of films like The King’s Warden suggests that audiences continue to value this experience, and that theaters will remain a vital part of the film landscape.

Written by: Film Critic Yoon Seong-eun (Ph.D. In Film Studies / Director of Jeonju International Film Festival) YTN Brand Promotion Team^[1]