Historical drama “The King’s Warden” made cinematic history during the weekend of Mar. 20–22, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea.
According to data from KOBIS, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council, the film’s cumulative revenue reached $95.3 million, surpassing the previous financial records held by the 2019 comedy “Extreme Job” ($93.7 million) and the 2014 war epic “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” ($91.1 million).
“The King’s Warden” earned $5.3 million from 803,668 admissions over its seventh weekend, maintaining a dominant 52.2% share of the market. Directed by Jang Hang-jun and starring Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon, the film has now reached 14,757,103 cumulative admissions. While it currently ranks first in total revenue – boosted by higher average ticket prices – it remains third in terms of all-time admissions, trailing “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” (17.61 million) and “Extreme Job” (16.26 million).
Hollywood science-fiction epic “Project Hail Mary” debuted in second place, earning $3.3 million over the weekend. Since its Mar. 18 opening, the adaptation has drawn 561,363 admissions and grossed a total of $4.3 million, securing a 32.49% revenue share.
“Hoppers” took third place with $573,821 for the weekend. The animated feature has amassed $4.2 million and 646,431 admissions since its launch.
Japanese anime “Attack on Titan The Movie : The Last Attack” took fourth place, earning $224,747 over the weekend to bring its cumulative South Korean total to $6.8 million.
The local comedy “Method Acting” debuted in fifth place, taking in $163,018 over the weekend. Directed by Lee Ki-hyuk and starring Lee Dong-hwi as an actor struggling with his identity while playing a king, the film has reached a cumulative gross of $276,294 from 43,722 admissions.
In sixth place, the horror-mystery “Samakdo” earned $74,434. Directed by Chae Ki-jun and starring Jo Yoon-seo and Kwak Si-yang, the film follows an investigative reporting team uncovering absolute evil from the Japanese colonial era. It has grossed $510,203 since its Mar. 11 debut.
The Japanese mystery-thriller “Bakudan” opened in seventh place, grossing $54,645. Directed by Nagai Akira and starring Sato Jiro and Yamada Yuki, the film depicts a high-stakes interrogation involving a man who claims to have visions of bomb explosions.
The 1995 classic “The Shawshank Redemption” re-entered the charts in eighth place following a specialty re-release, earning $41,383. It was followed by the Japanese drama “The Keeper of the Camphor Tree” in ninth with $31,853. Rounding out the top ten was the musical drama “Choir of God,” which added $21,480 to bring its cumulative total to $9.1 million.
The overall market collective gross for the weekend was $15.5 million, up from last week’s $10.8 million.