The billboard for ‘The Man Who Lives with the King’, which has reached ten million admissions. It is displayed at CGV Yongsan in Seoul. By Lee Jun-heon

President Lee Jae Myung celebrated the emergence of this year’s first film to draw ten million viewers.

On the 7th, on the social networking service (SNS) X, the president said, “I heard the welcome news that the film ‘The Man Who Lives with the King’ has surpassed ten million moviegoers,” adding, “It is all the more meaningful, as it is an achievement realized for the first time in two years since 2024.”

He continued, “The fact that many people sought out a single film means that the sincerity the work conveys moved audiences and elicited a deep resonance,” and added, “Along with congratulations, I extend my gratitude to the director, the actors, and all the staff members who worked hard to complete the piece for creating a precious space of empathy.”

He went on, “Korean cinema has steadily grown amid creators’ passion and challenges, as well as the love of audiences,” and said, “This tenmillion milestone, too, is a valuable fruition jointly made by filmmakers’ outstanding imagination and the power of storytelling, together with the people of our nation who offered unstinting support.”

He also said, “The government will do its utmost to build a country where creative freedom is alive and breathing, and where culture becomes a source of national pride,” adding, “We vigorously cheer on the new challenges and brilliant future of Korean cinema.”

The president is also among the viewers of ‘The Man Who Lives with the King’. On the 17th of last month, during the Lunar New Year holiday, he watched ‘The Man Who Lives with the King’ at CGV Yongsan in Seoul together with his spouse, Kim Hea Kyung.

‘The Man Who Lives with the King’ surpassed a cumulative 10 million admissions on the 6th (based on the Korean Film Council’s Integrated Computer Network for Admissions). It achieved the mark on the 31st day since its release on the 4th of last month, making it the 25th Korean film to reach ten million among domestic releases.

Within the historical drama genre, it is the fourth, following ‘The King’s Man’ (2005), ‘Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King’ (2012), and ‘Roaring Currents’ (2014).

Directed by Jang Hangjun, the film tells the story of the deposed Danjong, Lee Hongwi (Park Jihoon), who is exiled to Cheongnyeongpo in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, and spends the final period of his life there with the village head, Eom Heungdo (Yoo Haejin), and the villagers.