Park Chan-wook’s latest, "No Other Choice," debuted at No. 1 at the Korean box office.
According to the Korean Film Council’s box-office tracker (KOBIS), the film sold 331,518 tickets nationwide on opening day, Sept. 24.
That marks the biggest opening day of Park’s career, sprinting past "Decision to Leave" (114,589 on day one in 2022) as well as his hits "The Handmaiden" (290,024) and "Lady Vengeance" (279,413).
It also edged out last year’s megahit "Exhuma" (330,118 on day one) and 2023’s top draw "12.12: The Day" (203,813), setting the pace for a holiday-fueled run through Chuseok.
"No Other Choice" follows Mansu (played by Lee Byung-hun), an office worker who felt he’d “made it” until he’s abruptly laid off. Determined to protect his wife and two kids―and the hard-won home they live in―he gears up for an all-out battle to land a new job.
At No. 2, "The Ugly" drew 25,219 moviegoers the same day, bringing its running total to 802,534.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)