Why ‘왕과 사는 남자’ Surpassed 16 Million Viewers: A Deep Dive into Korea’s Box Office Sensation

[iNews24 reporter Kim Hyo-jin] The Man Who Lives With the King surpassed Extreme Job to become the second-highest film in South Korean box-office attendance on April 11.

Distributor Showbox said the film crossed 16.28 million admissions that morning, on its 67th day in release, edging past Extreme Job (2019), which drew about 16.26 million admissions.

Released on Feb. 4, The Man Who Lives With the King reached 10 million admissions in its 31st day. It then overtook several past hits in succession — Palmyo (2024, about 11.91 million), The King and the Clown (2005, about 12.30 million), Spring in Seoul (2023, about 13.12 million) and Ode to My Father (2014, about 14.25 million) — and cleared the 16 million mark on April 5.

Only three domestically released films have topped 16 million admissions: The Man Who Lives With the King, Extreme Job and The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014), which drew roughly 17.61 million.

The Man Who Lives With the King has cut the gap with No. 1 The Admiral: Roaring Currents to about 1.3 million admissions. But recent box-office trends make it unclear whether it will claim the top spot.

By gross, the film already ranks No. 1 among domestic releases. As of the previous day, its cumulative box-office stood at roughly 156.9 billion KRW (about $117.7 million).

Directed by Jang Hang-jun, The Man Who Lives With the King follows Joseon’s King Danjong as he spends his final days in exile living among villagers, including the village head.

Led by standout turns from Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon, the film blends laughter and emotion in a way critics say has resonated across generations.