The film "HOPE" (directed by Na Hong-jin) has claimed the number one spot at the daily box office for eight consecutive days.
According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie theater tickets on the 23rd, "HOPE" drew 131,829 viewers nationwide on the 22nd. Its cumulative audience reached 2,533,444.
"HOPE" surpassed 2 million moviegoers in just five days after its release, boasting the fastest box office pace among films released this year. However, the onset of a downward trend as it enters its second week is a point of concern. While it is significantly outpacing the second-place film "Minions & Monsters" (which drew 18,079 people), maintaining its own competitive edge remains crucial.
Above all, polarized reactions toward the film could potentially hinder the expansion of word-of-mouth recommendations. "HOPE" is expected to surpass 3 million moviegoers sometime this week. It still has a long way to go to reach its break-even point of 7 million.
"HOPE" is a sci-fi action thriller about Beom-seok (played by Hwang Jung-min), the head of a sub-office in Hopohang located in the Demilitarized Zone, who visits the site after receiving a report about tigers and encounters an unimaginable presence. Directed by Na Hong-jin, who created "The Chaser" and "The Wailing," the film stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)