‘The King’s Affection’ Surpasses 11 Million Viewers… Faster than 'Spring in Seoul' and on Par with 'The Outlaws 4'

The movie 〈The King’s Affection〉 has created an unstoppable box office phenomenon, surpassing a cumulative audience of 11 million. The heavy narrative and the outstanding performances of the actors have made the 'King’s Affection' craze a phenomenon that now symbolizes the 2026 cinema landscape.

■ 〈The Burial〉·〈Spring in Seoul〉 Surpassed with Unprecedented Speed… Record-Breaking Box Office Pace

According to the Integrated Computer Network for Movie Tickets on the 9th, 〈The King’s Affection〉 surpassed 11 million cumulative viewers on the 8th (Sunday), which was the 33rd day since its release. This speed easily surpassed the records of other 10 million films such as 〈The Burial〉 (40 days), 〈Spring in Seoul〉 (36 days), and 〈Masquerade〉 (48 days), and is on par with the record-breaking hit 〈The Outlaws 4〉.

The enthusiasm for repeat viewings and word-of-mouth, which has not cooled even in the fifth week since release, has been the driving force. Set against the backdrop of Cheongnyeongpo in 1457, the warm yet intense story of the exiled young king and the village chief who embraced him has moved the hearts of audiences across generations, continuing its long-term box office race.

■ “King! Thank you!”… The Main Cast's Witty '6-Character' Wooden Nameplate Certification Photos

To celebrate surpassing 11 million viewers, the thank you messages from the main cast were made more meaningful by using the symbolic prop of a 'wooden nameplate' from the film. The actors wrote their 6-character impressions on the nameplate, which symbolized their bond in the movie.

First, director Jang Hang-jun expressed his joy by saying, "King! Thank you!" Yoo Hae-jin brought laughter with the quote from his character, "The donkey has come!" Park Ji-hoon, who played the young king Lee Hong-wi, conveyed his sincerity with, "Thanks to the love you gave!" Following him, Yoo Ji-tae wrote, "10 million is a reality," Jeon Mi-do wrote, "A thousand, ten thousand thanks," Kim Min wrote, "It’s all thanks to you," and Lee Joon-hyuk and Ahn Jae-hong also shared their overwhelming feelings with, "Only gratitude in my heart" and "It feels like a dream," respectively.

■ Unstoppable Repeat Viewings… The Majesty of the Top Box Office Film of 2026

〈The King’s Affection〉 goes beyond a simple historical drama, delivering a message of respect and comfort for humanity, captivating both critics and audiences alike. The deep aftertaste that lingers after leaving the theater has led to a surge of enthusiastic reviews online, brightening the box office outlook for the sixth week.

With an overwhelming score showcasing the strength of Korean cinema, the top box office film of 2026, 〈The King’s Affection〉, is currently being screened nationwide with great acclaim.