“The Man Who Lives with the King” Surpasses 15 Million Viewers, Climbing Korean Box Office Charts
The Korean film “The Man Who Lives with the King” has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 15 million viewers as of March 25, 2026. The film’s success positions it as the third highest-grossing film in Korean box office history, trailing only “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” (17.61 million viewers) and “Extreme Job” (16.26 million viewers).
Rapid Ascent to Box Office Success
Released on February 4, 2026, “The Man Who Lives with the King” quickly gained traction with audiences. It reached 10 million viewers within 31 days and 14 million within 45 days, demonstrating consistent growth. The film overtook previous hits such as “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds” (14.41 million viewers) and “Ode to My Father” (14.25 million viewers) to secure its current ranking.
Closing in on Second Place
As of March 26, 2026, “The Man Who Lives with the King” is approximately 1.2 million viewers behind “Extreme Job,” which holds the second-place position with 16.26 million viewers. Distributor Showbox anticipates the film may move into second place as early as the current weekend.
Story and Cast
Directed by Jang Hang-jun, “The Man Who Lives with the King” is set in 1457 and tells the story of King Danjong of the Joseon Dynasty during his exile, and the village chief Eom Heung-do and local residents who protect him. The film stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, and Jeon Mi-do.
Financial Success
As of Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the film had generated cumulative sales of 144.1 billion won, the highest among domestic releases.
Celebration from the Cast
To celebrate reaching the 15 million viewer milestone, the cast and director shared behind-the-scenes photos on the film’s official social media channels. The photos present director Jang Hang-jun and actors Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Hae-jin, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do, and Lee Jun-hyuk holding bouquets of flowers. MK Sports reports the photos captured the unique and friendly atmosphere of the filming set.
Aju Press and TenAsia likewise reported on the film’s success.