'The Owner of the World' Breaks 200,000 Viewers: A Milestone for Korean Independent Films

Director Yoon Ga-eun's film 'The Owner of the World' has surpassed 200,000 viewers, marking a first and only record for Korean independent live-action films released last year.

'The Owner of the World' tells the story of 'Juin,' an enigmatic 18-year-old high school girl who refuses to participate in a school-wide petition and starts receiving mysterious notes. The film continues to enjoy long-term success through word-of-mouth, achieving the milestone of 200,000 viewers.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network, 'The Owner of the World' surpassed 200,000 cumulative viewers as of the 7th, making it the only Korean independent live-action film released in 2025 to reach this number. Released on October 22, 2025, the film was immediately hailed as 'Korean Film of the Year,' receiving both commercial and critical acclaim. It garnered support from global auteurs like Hirokazu Koreeda, Jia Zhangke, Bong Joon-ho, and Yeon Sang-ho, as well as celebrities such as Park Jung-min, Kim Hye-soo, Lee Jun-hyuk, Kim Eui-sung, and Kim Tae-ri, who organized voluntary relay screening events.

Thanks to positive word-of-mouth, 'The Owner of the World' not only topped the list of Korean independent live-action films released in 2025 but also won numerous awards at prestigious international film festivals, including the Grand Prize at the 47th Nantes Three Continents Festival, the Roberto Rossellini Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 9th Pingyao International Film Festival, and the FIPRESCI Prize at the 41st Warsaw International Film Festival.

Beyond its cinematic achievements, 'The Owner of the World' continues to expand its social message and discourse, maintaining its presence in theaters throughout 2026.

'The Owner of the World' is currently showing in theaters nationwide.

By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr