The movie 'The King’s Affection' has surpassed 12 million viewers, rewriting the history of Korean cinema, while a so-called 'viewing frenzy' is sweeping through. Films with narrative connections to this work and the previous works of the lead actor are experiencing an unusual resurgence on online video services (OTT) and IPTV platforms.
According to the integrated computer network of the Korean Film Council on the 14th, the number of purchases for the movie 'The Face Reader' on major IPTV platforms last month skyrocketed by 1137.3% compared to the previous month, totaling 928 purchases. This month, it has maintained a high purchase rate, climbing 57 spots in the movie rankings. 'The Face Reader' has also entered the top 10 of Netflix's domestic movie viewing rankings for two consecutive weeks.
This resurgence is analyzed to be due to 'The Face Reader' dealing with the power struggle of Prince Suyang, which aligns with the historical narrative of 'The King’s Affection' that depicts the story of King Danjong. The phenomenon of audiences revisiting previous works to gain a deeper understanding of the historical background before and after watching the new release has become prominent.
Interest in lead actor Park Ji-hoon’s previous works is also high. Park Ji-hoon’s acting, which perfectly portrayed the role of Danjong in 'The King’s Affection', has gained word-of-mouth acclaim, leading his representative works 'Weak Hero: Class 1' and 'Class 2' to also secure a spot in the top ranks on Netflix. It is said that the production team cast him in the role of Danjong after seeing his delicate and intense gaze in 'Weak Hero', which has further driven the demand for viewing his previous works.
Meanwhile, as of the 13th, 'The King’s Affection' has surpassed a cumulative audience of 12.43 million. This is a remarkable record, surpassing 'Masquerade', making it the 16th highest-grossing Korean film of all time. The overwhelming success of the new release is leading to a rediscovery of past content, creating a positive cycle throughout the video industry.
