KRThe number of moviegoers for South Korean films increased by 75% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, driven primarily by the historical film 'The King's Warden,' which recorded 16.9 million admissions. Domestic films collectively saw 37.4 million admissions, up from 21.4 million the previous year, with ticket sales rising 81.7% to 370 billion won ($242 million). While the number of new Korean films released dropped to 217 from 240, the success of 'The King's Warden' and other films like 'Colony' and 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' contributed to this growth. The data was provided by the Korean Film Council.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data about box office performance and does not take a political stance. It reports on cultural trends within the film industry without engaging in ideological framing or commentary.
