---
title: "The King’s Warden Surpasses 16 Million Admissions — Now Korea’s 3rd Biggest Box Office Hit"
url: https://egloos.com/en/smalljoyskorea/12534
channel: "Smalljoys"
channel_url: https://egloos.com/en/smalljoyskorea
category: "K-pop"
language: en
published: 2026-04-06T04:37:13
updated: 2026-04-06T04:37:13
---

# The King’s Warden Surpasses 16 Million Admissions — Now Korea’s 3rd Biggest Box Office Hit

The South Korean historical drama _The King’s Warden_ has become one of the most successful films in the country’s cinema history by surpassing **16 million admissions** at the domestic box office, distributor Showbox announced on April 5, 2026.

Released on **February 4, 2026**, _The King’s Warden_ achieved this milestone in about two months, making it only the **third Korean film ever** to draw more than 16 million viewers. Ahead of it in all‑time admissions are two major local blockbusters: **_The Admiral: Roaring Currents_** with **17.61 million** admissions and **_Extreme Job_** with **16.26 million** audiences.

![](https://static.egloos.com/content/images/body/20260406/20260406043550_image.png)

Domestic box office data shows that _The King’s Warden_ reached **10 million admissions by March 6**, just over a month after its release — a threshold that few films have reached in recent years. It then crossed **15 million admissions on March 25**, steadily climbing the ranks among Korea’s most‑watched films.

Directed by **Jang Hang‑jun**, the historical drama reimagines events from the mid‑Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), focusing on the bond between a humble village chief and the young, deposed King Danjong. The story features performances from actors **Yoo Hae‑jin** as the village leader and **Park Ji‑hoon** as the exiled king, capturing audiences’ interest with its blend of history and human drama.

![](https://static.egloos.com/content/images/body/20260406/20260406043619_image.png)

The film’s box office success reflects both strong word‑of‑mouth and continued audience interest in locally produced historical dramas, which have long held cultural significance in South Korea. Reaching the 16 million mark has positioned _The King’s Warden_ not only as a commercial success but also as a standout title in 2026’s box office landscape.

![](https://static.egloos.com/content/images/body/20260406/20260406043636_image.png)

Industry observers note the film’s sustained daily attendance and its potential to challenge _Extreme Job’s_ total admissions if current trends continue. As it stands, _The King’s Warden_ is firmly established as the **third‑most watched film in Korean box office history** — a notable achievement for a historical drama released during a competitive theatrical season.

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