EN brief: [송영애의 시네마 크리티크] 오랜만의 천만 영화를 보며, 왕의 영화들을 돌아보다 (culture) + 1 glossary term.
Summary
Director Jang Hang-jun has achieved a massive milestone with his latest film, 'The Man Who Lives with the King' (왕과 사는 남자). As of March 6, 2026, the movie officially surpassed 10 million admissions at the South Korean box office. This marks the first film to reach this prestigious '10-million' mark since the 2024 hit 'The Roundup: Punishment' (범죄도시4).
The film's success has sparked a cultural phenomenon beyond the theater. Tourism in Yeongwol—a location tied to the historical figure King Danjong—is surging, and related books are seeing a spike in sales. Lead actors like Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Hae-jin, and Lee Jun-hyuk are also seeing a renewed interest in their past works as fans celebrate this cinematic achievement.
Critics are noting that this success comes at a pivotal time for the Korean film industry. While the number of screens in Korea has grown significantly since the early 2000s, total annual theater attendance has actually seen a decline compared to twenty years ago. This makes the '10-million' achievement even more significant for the industry's recovery.
천만 영화cheonman yeonghwa (Cheon-man Yeong-hwa) refers to a film that has been watched by over 10 million people in South Korean theaters. Since South Korea has a population of roughly 51 million, this means nearly 1 in 5 citizens has seen the movie, making it a massive cultural touchstone.
If you are following Korean pop culture, keep an eye out for the term 천만cheonman (10 million) in news headlines. It is the ultimate metric for success not just in movies, but often used as a metaphor for anything that achieves massive, nationwide popularity. Try looking up the list of '10-million' movies to see which Korean classics you might have missed!
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The film follows a long tradition of Korean historical dramas centered on kings. By blending historical facts with cinematic imagination, these 'King' movies—such as 'The King and the Clown' and 'Masquerade'—continue to resonate with modern audiences by reflecting contemporary social concerns through the lens of the past.
Full story (translated & rewritten)
On March 6, 2026, the South Korean film industry celebrated a major victory as 'The Man Who Lives with the King' crossed the 10-million-viewer threshold. This is a rare feat in the post-pandemic era, making it the first film to do so since 2024. The movie focuses on the tragic story of King Danjong, but its impact has reached far into the real world, boosting local economies and the publishing sector.
As of March 8, 2026, the film has actually surpassed 11 million viewers. This places it among an elite group of only 32 films (23 of which are Korean) that have ever reached the 10-million mark in South Korea. The article points out that Korean audiences have a unique affinity for historical 'faction'—a mix of fact and fiction—especially when it involves the tragic lives of Joseon-era royalty like Yeonsangun, Gwanghaegun, or Danjong.
The history of the '10-million-viewer' era began in 2004 with 'Silmido' and 'Taegukgi.' Back then, there were only about 1,400 screens nationwide. Today, there are over 3,100 screens. Despite this massive increase in infrastructure, the total number of moviegoers in 2025 was actually lower than in 2004, highlighting a perceived crisis in the domestic film market. 'The Man Who Lives with the King' occupied over 1,600 screens during its peak, showing how the industry now relies on massive wide releases to hit these numbers.
Ultimately, the success of this film is being viewed as more than just a box office win. It is seen as a sign of life for Korean cinema. By connecting historical leadership struggles with modern sensibilities—especially following recent social tensions regarding the exercise of power—the film has managed to draw in everyone from those who remember the history to younger generations who only know it from textbooks.
Context
The '10-million-viewer' mark is the gold standard for a 'mega-hit' in South Korea, roughly equivalent to a 'Blockbuster' status in the US but with higher cultural weight relative to the population.
King Danjong, the subject of the film, was a young king of the Joseon Dynasty who was deposed by his uncle and eventually exiled and killed, making him a figure of great public sympathy.
The Korean film industry has been struggling with 'screen monopoly' issues, where one or two big hits take up the majority of available theater times, making it hard for smaller indie films to compete.
이번에 개봉한 영화가 드디어 천만 영화가 되었어요.ibeone gaebonghan yeonghwaga deudieo cheonman yeonghwaga doeeosseoyo. — The movie released this time has finally become a 10-million-viewer film.
한국에서 천만 영화는 단순한 흥행 이상의 의미가 있습니다.hangugeseo cheonman yeonghwaneun dansunhan heunghaeng isaui uimiga itseupnida. — In Korea, a 10-million-viewer film means more than just box office success.
