16.9 million viewers wept... The legacy of the 'King and the Man' phenomenon [First-half film review ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

• [2026 ★First-half review]

16.9 million audiences wept together. The first half of 2026's film industry was dominated by 'The King and the Man' (director Jang Hang-jun).

Released in February, 'The King and the Man' surpassed 1 million cumulative viewers on its 31st day, exceeded 15 million on its 50th day, and ultimately gathered 16.9 million viewers, surpassing 'Extreme Job' to secure the second spot in box office history.

The film 'The King and the Man' tells the story of village chief Eom Heung-do (played by Yoo Hae-jin), who volunteered for exile to revitalize Cheongnyeongpo Village in 1457, and the young deposed King Danjong Lee Hong-wei (played by Park Ji-hoon), who was exiled after being driven from the throne.

'The King and the Man' was the first 10-million-viewer film of 2026 and the first in nearly two years since 'The Outlaws 4' (2024) to join the list of 10-million-viewer films. It marks the 34th record in history and the 25th for a Korean film. For historical films, it is the fourth since 'The King and the Clown' (2005), 'Chaser' (2012), and 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (2014).

Through this film, Yoo Hae-jin added his fifth 10-million-viewer film to his filmography, following 'The King and the Clown', 'Veteran', 'Taxi Driver', and 'Exhuma', while Park Ji-hoon earned the title of 10-million-viewer actor with his first feature film debut.

'The King and the Man', which revitalized theaters in the first half of 2026, was a welcome rain for the film industry suffering from a severe drought. Following the expansion of OTT services after the pandemic era, which caused a sharp decline in theater audiences, 'The King and the Man' brought audiences of all ages and genders back to theaters for the first time in a long while.

In particular, 'The King and the Man' once again made audiences, who had been hesitant to watch films due to rising ticket prices and insufficient infrastructure, feel the joy of gathering together in theaters to laugh and cry. Gaining phenomenon-level popularity, 'The King and the Man' received great love from audiences regardless of age or gender.

Through 'The King and the Man', Park Ji-hoon, a member of the group Wanna One who shouted "Stored in my heart," proved his true worth on the screen with his unique, charming gaze, becoming the biggest blue-chip asset in the Korean film industry. Yoo Hae-jin proved that "it is indeed Yoo Hae-jin," and director Jang Hang-jun earned the title of 10-million-viewer director.

'The King and the Man' drew audience empathy with a narrative focusing on the emotions and relationships of historical figures, led by the tragic King Danjong. It is evaluated as leaving a deep aftertaste by delicately portraying Danjong's loneliness, loss, human side, and his relationships with surrounding characters including Eom Heung-do.

Due to the box office success of 'The King and the Man', the tiger CG dubbed 'Mitti' (a flaw in the film) has been corrected, allowing viewers to experience a slightly more perfect version of 'The King and the Man' in the OTT release.

Following 'The King and the Man', director Yeon Sang-ho's film 'COLONY', which was invited to the Midnight Screening section of the Cannes International Film Festival, is leading the theaters after surpassing 5 million viewers. Earlier, the horror film 'Salmokji' starring Kim Hye-yoon gathered 3.2 million viewers and was loved as a horror film for the Gen Z generation.

After 'COLONY', Korean films appear to have slowed down. With the full-scale summer theater season approaching, Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' is set to be released, raising expectations for another double-engine that will surpass 10 million viewers alongside 'The King and the Man' in 2026.

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*This content was translated by AI.