Korean Film 'The Roundup' Hits 16 Million Viewers

The film "The Man Who Lived with the King" has set a new milestone in Korean film history by surpassing 16 million viewers. According to distributor Showbox, the movie reached a cumulative audience of 16 million as of the morning of the 5th. This makes "The Man Who Lived with the King" the third film in domestic box office history to exceed 16 million viewers, following "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" (17.61 million) and "Extreme Job" (16.26 million).

"The Man Who Lived with the King" depicts the final period of King Danjong's life. Instead of focusing on power struggles, it unfolds a narrative with a warm perspective, centering on the time the deposed Danjong spent with his people in Cheongnyeongpo, Yeongwol. It particularly resonated with audiences of all generations by densely portraying the relationships between the king and his people, and between humans and power.

In terms of revenue, "The Man Who Lived with the King" has also reached its peak. With cumulative revenue of approximately 142.5 billion won, it has surpassed "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" (135.7 billion won) and "Extreme Job" (139.6 billion won) to become the number one highest-grossing film of all time. This demonstrates both box office success and profitability, setting new records not only in audience numbers but also in actual profit indicators.

The film's success has brought about a "trickle-down effect," spreading beyond theaters to the local economy. The filming location in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, has seen an influx of tourists, revitalizing local businesses and showing positive ripple effects. Director Jang Hang-jun expressed his hope that this success will serve as an opportunity for the domestic film industry to leap forward.

To commemorate the surpassing of 16 million viewers, a music video for the film's OST "Friend" has been released and is garnering attention. The song, sung by actress Jeon Mi-do, deeply moved audiences with its lyrics that evoke Jeon Mi-do's poignant acting and memorable lines from the movie.