Korean Blockbuster 'The Roundup' Surpasses 16 Million Viewers

Director Jang Hang-jun's film 'The Man Who Lived with the King' has set a new record in South Korean film history, rising to second place overall at the box office. On the 67th day of its release, the 11th, according to the Korean Film Council's Integrated Network of Admissions, it surpassed 16,283,970 cumulative viewers, overtaking the 2019 sensation 'Extreme Job' (16.26 million viewers).

This film is a historical drama depicting the story of a village chief (played by Yoo Hae-jin) who voluntarily exiled himself for the sake of his village's prosperity and the young deposed king (played by Park Ji-hoon) in Cheongnyongpo in 1457. It has been praised for its warm and profound portrayal of King Danjong's tragic narrative, earning empathy from all generations.

This box office success is particularly significant as it is the result of "long-term success driven by word-of-mouth" rather than explosive initial popularity. The strong performances by the lead actors, including Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon, have sparked a trend of repeat viewings, and the film has maintained its top position at the box office even in its 10th week of release.

Distributor Showbox expressed their gratitude through their official social media, stating, "We sincerely thank the 16.27 million citizens who have visited Gwangcheon-gol."

Now, only 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (17.61 million viewers), the all-time box office leader, stands ahead of 'The Man Who Lived with the King.' Attention is focused on whether this film, continuing its unstoppable box office run, can surpass the record set by 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents.'