Global K-animation title 'The King of Kings' has climbed to No. 2 on the all-time Korean animation box office chart.
According to the Korean Film Council’s nationwide box-office tracker on the 18th, 'The King of Kings' drew 59,133 admissions from July 15 to 17, pushing its cumulative total to 1,243,936.
That lifts the film past the phenomenon 'Heartsping : Teenieping of Love' (1,243,566) and sets a new milestone: second place among Korean animated releases of all time, behind only 'Leafie, A Hen Into the Wild' (2,223,145).
The achievement comes in the thick of the summer vacation crush, with 'The King of Kings' holding its own against imported heavyweights including 'The Bad Guys 2,' 'Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback,' 'Smurfs,' and the latest 'Doraemon' feature―an outcome many see as a point of pride for Korean animation.
Observers point to more than just record-setting numbers. A decade-long production sharpened the film’s technical polish, while a narrative that reframes religious themes through universal ideas of love and family has struck a chord with moviegoers.
The distribution playbook―opening first in North America before its Korean release―also helped build momentum. Add in powerhouse voice performances from both Korean and international actors, and the characters leap off the screen, fueling word of mouth and sustaining the film’s surge.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)