"The King's Warden" has smashed past 100,000 advance tickets just two days before release.
According to the Korean Film Council’s KOBIS box office system, as of 4 p.m. on the 2nd the film holds a 26.1% share of advance sales with 103,000 tickets booked, ranking No. 1 in both metrics.
Set in 1457 in Cheongnyeongpo, the historical drama follows a village head who volunteers his town as an exile site to spark revival ― and the unlikely bond that forms with a deposed young king. Directed by Jang Hang-jun and starring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Jeon Mi-do, and Yoo Ji-tae, the film spotlights the heartrending friendship between the former monarch (King Danjong) and Eom Heung-do.
Following press and public previews, critics praised the film’s poignant retelling of a little-seen chapter of history and singled out standout performances from Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon. Reflecting that buzz, the title has led the advance-sales chart for a week and, as of today, has crossed the 100,000 pre-sale mark.
Opening Feb. 4 in Korea, "The King's Warden" is tracking to debut at No. 1 at the box office, poised to unseat recent releases "Once We Were Us" and "Choir of God" as their momentum cools.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)