"The King's Warden" is drawing intense attention as it became the first 5 million-attendance film of 2026, and director Jang Hang-jun personally shared his thoughts on the still-strong box office momentum.
On the 21st, the film The King's Warden (director Jang Hang-jun, provided/distributed by SHOWBOX, produced by Onda Works·BA Entertainment, abbreviated as "Wangsa Nam") surpassed 5 million viewers. It is the first 5 million-attendance title among films released in 2026. In relation to this, OSEN asked director Jang Hang-jun, who directed the work, for his personal thoughts.
When asked about his feelings on surpassing 5 million viewers, director Jang Hang-jun brightly replied, "I've been very happy to receive good news one after another while doing stage greetings." He especially said, "I'm relieved because the actors and staff who worked together are all happy," noting that he shared the film's success with the cast and production team.
The King's Warden is a film that tells the story of Cheongnyeongpo in 1457, a village chief who volunteered to be exiled for the village's revival, and the young dethroned king who was exiled. It highlights the friendship that transcended class between the young king Danjong—who went from royal grandson to crown prince to king, was forced to step down as retired king after his uncle Grand Prince Suyang's rebellion and ultimately died in exile—and the village chief Yeongwol Eom clan's Eom Heung-do who stayed by his side until the end.
Thanks to this, visitors watching the film have not stopped coming to Yeongwol, the actual exile site of Danjong. Across various online communities and social media, tourists waiting for boats to go to Cheongnyeongpo, Danjong's exile site, created a spectacle as if they were the citizens in the film who cried out to comfort the dethroned young king, drawing attention.
Moved by such enthusiastic reactions, director Jang Hang-jun said, "The fact that people are visiting Yeongwol itself shows their love and interest in the film, so I think that's a relief," expressing his emotion. He also selected as the most memorable reactions comments like, "It captured the era well," or "the actors' performances are the narrative."
Through The King's Warden, idol Wanna One member and actor Park Jihoon played the role of Danjong with passionate acting and received praise, and actor Yoo Hai Jin, who played Eom Heung-do, also drew acclaim. In addition, Jeon Mi-do as Maehwa and villain Yoo Ji-tae as Han Myeong-hoe, played in a way never seen before, are also generating buzz.
Riding on the positive reviews, director Jang Hang-jun and the production team of The King's Warden were even spotted traveling abroad. A staff member revealed the director's message asking about plans for a Europe trip on social media. Fans speculated that it might be a reward vacation due to the film's success. It turned out not to be a reward vacation but director Jang Hang-jun's gesture to share the trip with the staff.
Director Jang Hang-jun revealed, "When filming ends, I go on a trip for rest with the directing staff who stayed closest to me and worked hard," adding, "It seems that friend posted it playfully." He also said, "In fact, the directing staff of The King's Warden already went to Western Europe once after filming ended," creating a warm impression.
Despite surpassing 5 million, audience interest and the box office heat for The King's Warden have not cooled. Since The King's Warden was released on Feb. 4, it reached 5 million viewers on the 18th day after release, which is faster than the 20 days it took for another period film that reached the 10 million club, The King and the Clown, to reach 5 million, and ties with Masquerade's 18 days to reach 5 million, which drew 12 million viewers. As a result, cautious hopes among film insiders are growing that The King's Warden may break the theater slump and record even greater success.
However, director Jang Hang-jun cautiously offered an objective self-assessment, saying, "Because the film market is difficult, at the start I just hoped we had crossed the break-even point," and added, "I'm grateful for what followed, but I don't want to make premature estimates." Nonetheless, The King's Warden continues to travel nationwide to respond to audience enthusiasm with stage greetings and GVs. Director Jang Hang-jun added, "I am simply grateful for the audience's support and expectations."
[Photo] Provided by SHOWBOX.
[OSEN]