'The King's Warden' dominated the South Korean box office during the Lunar New Year holiday period
The film earned $9.5 million from over 1.4 million admissions during the three-day weekend
Directed by Jang Hang-jun and starring Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon
The film has accumulated $39.1 million since its Feb. 4 debut
The historical drama follows a village chief protecting a deposed teenage king during the Joseon Dynasty
📖 Full Retelling
Historical drama 'The King's Warden' directed by Jang Hang-jun and starring Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon maintained its leading position at the South Korean box office during the week of Feb. 16–22, 2026, which included the peak Lunar New Year holiday period, earning $9.5 million from 1,414,214 admissions and capturing 73.76% of the revenue share. According to data from KOBIS, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council, the film's performance demonstrates exceptional audience preference during one of Korea's most important holidays when families traditionally flock to theaters. The three-day weekend portion of the holiday frame proved particularly lucrative for the period drama, which has consistently performed well since its release. The film's dominance at the box office highlights the continued popularity of historical narratives in Korean cinema, particularly during cultural holidays when audiences seek stories that connect with national heritage and traditions.
🏷️ Themes
Box Office, Historical Drama, Lunar New Year, Korean Cinema
Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year according to lunar calendars or, informally but commonly, to lunisolar calendars. Because a year of twelve lunar months is about 11 days shorter than a solar year (which determines the seasons), calendars may have strategies to take this fact into accoun...
Joseon (English: CHOH-sun; Korean: 조선; Hanja: 朝鮮; MR: Chosŏn; pronounced [tɕo.sʰʌn]; also romanized as Chosun), officially Great Joseon (대조선국; 大朝鮮國; [tɛ.dʑo.sʰʌn.ɡuk̚]), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in 1392 and replaced by the Korean ...
The film's continued dominance during the lucrative Lunar New Year holiday confirms its blockbuster status and strong audience connection. This performance highlights the enduring appeal of historical dramas in the South Korean market. It also represents a significant commercial success for the filmmakers and cast.
Context & Background
The King's Warden is a historical drama set in the Joseon Dynasty.
It was released on February 4, 2026.
The film earned $9.5 million over the Lunar New Year weekend.
It has a cumulative gross of $39.1 million after three weeks.
What Happens Next
The film is expected to maintain a strong presence in theaters in the weeks following the holiday. Its success may lead to discussions about international distribution rights. The performance solidifies the director and stars' commercial appeal for future projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The King's Warden about?
It follows a village chief protecting a deposed teenage king during the Joseon Dynasty.
How much money has the film made?
It has a cumulative gross of $39.1 million as of the reported period.
Why is the Lunar New Year important for box office?
It is a major holiday in South Korea, leading to increased movie attendance.
Original Source
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