Stranger Than Fiction: Politics & History Inspire Cinema

The Korean box office has had a rocky ride through the first two trimesters of 2017, but this period was not without its success stories. Though controversies and an uneven slate of films presented some obstacles, Korean history remained a strong driver for pr...

Box Office Report for the first quarter of 2017

The first quarter of 2017 was one of few surprises at the Korean box office but one which demonstrated the industry’s stability, both as a global exhibition market and a local production industry. Though not quite reaching the highs of 2013 (55.47 million) or ...

A Good Enough Year, but the Best Year for Korean Films

Box Office Report of 2016 After five years of consecutive growth, the Korean film industry remained healthy in 2016, though the half-decade streak of gains came to an end as the industry essentially remained flat. Admissions reached 217.02 million, which was d...

YOUR NAME Remains in First Place

With a variety of new films and holdovers in the marketplace, Hollywood squeezed out its first majority share of 2017 with 52% of ticket sales, while Japan came in second with 31%. Korea trailed far behind with 14% but will jump right back to first this coming...

Korean Audiences Fall for YOUR NAME

Business was brisk during the first weekend of 2017 with the national market share splitting three ways as a Japanese film exceptionally climbed to the top of the chart. Japan led with 34% while Korea and the US followed with 31% and 28%. Total admissions reac...

MASTER Coasts Through the New Year

Local action-thriller Master remained the top attraction at the Korean box office over the New Year’s weekend, while Rogue One, the new Star Wars film, failed to make a significant impact far behind in second place. Local films accounted for 54% of business as...

MASTER Dominates Over Xmas Weekend

Business boosted a hefty 75% over the Christmas weekend to bring admissions to the four million mark, which despite being 15% lower than last year’s comparable weekend was still one of the biggest of the year. A hot Korean local release drove up the local mark...

PANDORA Overpowers WILL YOU BE THERE? Opening

The top two places were unchanged at the box office even with a major now local drama opening. Local releases remained the top draw this session, accounting for 69% of ticket sales, which were on par with last week, coming in at 2.32 million admissions. Down j...