‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ Captivates Belgium as 370-Seat Opening Screening Sells Out, K-Movies Draw Crowds Despite 11-Euro Tickets

K-Content Makes a Powerful Impact in Europe, With Opening Film Selling Out Every Seat

2026 Korean Film Week, hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Belgium and the European Union, opened in grand fashion on Oct. 1 (local time) at Cinema Palace, a historic theater in Brussels, Belgium. The festival’s opening film, director Jang Hang-jun’s ‘The Man Who Lives With the King,’ sold out all 370 or so seats well in advance, underscoring the intense interest among local audiences.

The central theme of this year’s event is ‘intrigue.’ Led by ‘The Man Who Lives With the King,’ which set the record as the second-highest-grossing Korean film of all time, five recent Korean films spanning a range of genres will capture the attention of European audiences. On opening night, the packed theater created a remarkable scene as viewers immersed themselves for two hours in the story of the ill-fated Joseon King Danjong and the residents of his place of exile.

A Strong Lineup and Thoughtful Localization Strategy Break Down Language Barriers Through Cultural Diplomacy

The festival continues from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5 at Cinema Galeries, one of Brussels’ leading art-house theaters. Director Kim Do-young’s ‘If We Were,’ director Park Beom-soo’s ‘Victory,’ and director Lee Sang-min’s ‘Salmokji’ will screen in succession. The closing film will be ‘Confession,’ a thriller directed by Yoon Jong-seok that won an award at the 2022 Fantasporto International Film Festival and stars actor So Ji-sub. It is expected to leave audiences with a lasting impression.

The most notable development has been the enthusiastic local response. Belgian public broadcaster RTBF gave the event prominent coverage, adding to the momentum. Despite the relatively steep average ticket price of 11 euros (about 18,000 won), three of the films scheduled for screening have already sold out.

Taking into account Brussels’ multinational character as the home of the European Union headquarters, the Korean Cultural Center in Belgium is providing simultaneous subtitles in ‘three languages’ — English, French and Dutch — effectively eliminating language barriers. It also offered opening-night attendees Hangul-shaped cookies, creating a more intimate connection with Korea through ‘cultural diplomacy’ designed to engage all five senses.

A Cross-Border Connection Marks a New Milestone for K-Movies in Europe

2026 Korean Film Week has gone beyond a simple series of screenings, demonstrating both the firm foothold and the growth potential of K-content in Europe. Its distinctive storytelling and polished direction are satisfying local audiences’ appetite for new cultural experiences and setting a new milestone in K-movies’ global box-office momentum.