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| The Man Who Lives with the King |
In a stunning box office triumph, “The Man Who Lives with the King” is not only breathing new life into theaters but also showcasing its far-reaching impact across various cultural sectors.
The historical drama, a collaborative effort between SLL label B.A. Entertainment and newcomer OndaWorks, has captivated audiences nationwide. With an impressive 9,407,833 viewers as of March 4, the film is on the brink of joining the elite 10-million-admissions club. This cinematic sensation has reinvigorated a previously lackluster box office while simultaneously sparking a renewed interest in publishing, tourism, and other cultural industries.
“The Man Who Lives with the King” has garnered widespread acclaim, with viewers claiming they “enter as spectators and leave feeling like subjects of the realm.” The film chronicles the final days of the deposed King Danjong, portrayed by rising star Park Ji-hoon, as he forges deep connections with locals during his exile in Yeongwol’s Cheongnyeongpo. Since its debut, the movie has maintained a steady stream of moviegoers, cementing its status as a long-running box office hit. This momentum has propelled February’s box office revenues to a staggering 118.5 billion KRW (approximately $88.4 million USD), more than doubling last year’s figures for the same period. Industry insiders are now eyeing it as the potential next Korean film to break the coveted 10-million-viewer milestone, a feat not achieved in nearly two years.
The film’s popularity has ignited a broader fascination with historical content. Bookstores across the country report a significant uptick in sales of history books and classic novels centered on King Danjong and the Joseon royal family. Kyobo Bookstore, a major retailer, noted that sales of titles related to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty skyrocketed by 190% in the month following the film’s release. Popular history books have also climbed the bestseller charts, indicating that the movie has successfully kindled public curiosity about Korea’s rich past.
The tourism sector is reaping the benefits of this historical renaissance as well. Cheongnyeongpo, the site of King Danjong’s exile, welcomed 38,223 visitors in February alone – an astounding eightfold increase from the previous year. Similarly, Jangneung saw its visitor numbers surge to 26,578, marking a ninefold rise. This “Danjong Road” phenomenon has led to a boom in tourism demand, prompting Yeongwol County to fast-track preparations for local cultural events, including the highly anticipated Danjong Cultural Festival. Industry experts hail this as a prime example of how a successful piece of content can elevate awareness of history and regional culture, boost tourism, and invigorate local economies.
An SLL spokesperson expressed enthusiasm about the film’s success, stating, “The phenomenal reception of ‘The Man Who Lives with the King’ is a testament to the power of audience choice and has injected a much-needed dose of vitality into both the Korean film market and regional cultural industries. Leveraging the production prowess of our labels, including B.A. Entertainment, we remain committed to delivering well-crafted content that strikes the perfect balance between mass appeal and artistic merit.”
[Sports Today Reporter Im Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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