The film 'The King and the Man' is making waves not only in South Korea but also in international theaters.
Having become the 34th film in history to surpass 10 million viewers in South Korea, 'The King and the Man' continues its box office success in North America, showcasing the power of K-movies. The film tells the story of a village chief who voluntarily exiles himself to Cheongnyeongpo in 1457 to revive the village, and a young dethroned king who is also in exile.
On its 36th day of release, 'The King and the Man' surpassed 12 million viewers and maintained its number one position at the box office in its fifth week. It is the fourth historical drama to achieve this milestone. Following 'The Grave Robbers' and 'The Outlaws 4', it marks the first film in two years to reach 10 million viewers, establishing itself as a blockbuster of the year. The film's compelling performances and its intricate portrayal of the hidden story of King Danjong have garnered rave reviews, leading to repeat viewings and sustained box office success.
The film's success is not limited to South Korea, as it is also receiving a warm reception overseas, particularly in North America. Since its staggered release in the U.S. starting February 13, 'The King and the Man' has been screened in over 50 cities across the United States and Canada, reaching global audiences. By its second week in North America, it surpassed the box office record of 'The Outlaws 4', grossing $1.79 million as of March 9, outperforming 'Spring in Seoul' and 'Extreme Job'. The film's North American release is expanding, with screenings in 125 theaters this week, totaling approximately 150 theaters, an unprecedented scale for a Korean film in the region.
JBG Pictures USA, the film's North American distributor, stated, "We are expanding the screening areas weekly, driven by the current box office momentum. We are doing our best to secure theaters in key areas with significant Korean populations to allow more audiences to enjoy the film." The growing popularity of 'The King and the Man' beyond South Korea is evident, and it remains to be seen how far its global box office success will go.
Reporter: Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr