King and the Living Man has crossed the 5 million mark in just 18 days, solidifying its status as this year's box office leader.

According to the Korean Film Council's Integrated Ticketing Network, the film surpassed 5,000,616 cumulative admissions on February 21. The milestone was achieved two days faster than The King and the Clown, which previously reached 5 million in 20 days.

The pace matches that of Masquerade, which went on to draw over 12 million moviegoers. King and the Living Man has also maintained the No. 1 spot at the overall box office for nine consecutive days.

Historic Momentum for a Period Drama

The film depicts the story of King Danjong (played by Park Ji Hoon), who was exiled to Cheongnyeongpo. It centers on the unlikely friendship between village head Eom Hong Do (played by Yoo Hae Jin), who voluntarily joins the exile, and the young dethroned king.

Set in the aftermath of the Gyeyujeongnan coup, the narrative delivers both emotional weight and humor. Performances by Yoo Hae Jin, Park Ji Hoon, Yoo Ji Tae, and Jeon Mi Do have been praised for adding depth and resonance to the historical drama.