WAITING FOR RAIN Returns to Top 5

With two major new entries and a blockbuster holdover, the Korean box office remained strong, with admissions flat at 748,000. The local market share was still on the low side at 12%, but with viewers returning to theaters, distributors may soon try to schedule some of the many local films that have been held back throughout the pandemic. 

Hanging on to the first place without much difficulty was Fast & Furious 9, which eased 43% as it picked up 360,000 viewers (USD 3.22 million) during its victory lap. To date, the Universal tentpole has welcomed 1.75 million spectators (USD 15.18 million) in Korea and should unseat Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train as the top foreign release of the year in early June.

Disney was back in theaters with its latest live-action adaptation Cruella, which mustered 225,000 entries (USD 2 million) in second place. Over five days, the film has filled 298,000 seats (USD 2.47 million).

Veteran director Yoo Ha returned with his eighth feature, the heist film Pipeline, which had a soft start with 58,000 sales (USD 492,000) over the weekend and has sold 89,000 tickets (USD 700,000) since its Wednesday bow.

Local melodrama Waiting for Rain rose two spots and 280% as it welcomed 24,000 viewers (USD 161,000) in fourth place. To date, Kang Haneul and Chun Woohee's romantic drama has recorded 391,000 entries (USD 3.21 million).

Down 26% and still in the top five after being in theaters for over four months was Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train, which added 15,000 admissions (USD 128,000) to push its total to 2.07 million sales (USD 17.89 million).

Both Fast & Furious 9 and Cruella are well-positioned to add to their totals this weekend, while The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, the latest entry in the popular horror franchise, will also join the race for first place.