"Even Better the Second Time"... Multiple Viewings Drive the Success of "King and the Man Who Lives"

One key factor behind the box office success of the movie King and the Man Who Lives, which is on the verge of surpassing 16 million viewers, is the phenomenon known as "multiple viewings," according to recent analysis.

On April 5, Yonhap News, citing a statement from CGV, reported that 5.2% of the film’s audience watched it twice, while 3.0% saw it three or more times. In total, 8.2% of viewers visited the theater at least twice. Notably, the proportion of those who watched the film three or more times is among the highest ever for a film surpassing 10 million admissions, alongside 12.12: The Day, Masquerade, and The Man Who Became King.

This trend of repeat viewings is attributed to the unique characteristics of the film. As the story is based on well-known historical events such as the deposition, exile, and final days of King Danjong, viewers tend to focus more on the emotional arcs, messages, and acting details rather than the plot.

A scene from the movie The Man Living with the King. Showbox

원본보기 아이콘

Audience reviews reflect this, with comments such as, "From the second viewing onward, I tear up every time Danjong appears," and "The more you watch, the deeper the emotions become." Through repeated viewings, audiences discover symbols and foreshadowing they may have missed initially, and experience renewed emotional resonance.

The outstanding performances by the cast are also cited as a reason for repeat visits. Yoo Haejin anchors the film with a stable performance, while Park Jihoon, who lost 15 kilograms for the role, has been praised for vividly conveying Danjong’s loneliness and sense of tragedy.

King and the Man Who Lives currently ranks as the third highest-grossing film of all time in Korea, following Roaring Currents and Extreme Job, based on cumulative audience numbers. The box office momentum is spreading beyond the screen: the screenplay book became a bestseller during pre-orders, and the original soundtrack "Friend" is also attracting significant attention.

Industry insiders believe that if the trend of repeat viewings among "dedicated audiences" continues, the final audience count could increase even further.

Directed by Jang Hangjun, King and the Man Who Lives is based on the life of the ill-fated Joseon monarch Danjong. Set in Cheongnyeongpo in 1457, the film tells the story of a village head who chooses exile for the sake of his community’s revival and the deposed young king who is also sent into exile.

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