Korean films topped 100 million admissions for the third year running on December 23rd, while overall sales exceed 200 million for the second year on the trot. While the figure is expected to climb higher in the coming days with a strong end of year showing for local releases, the mark was reached slower than in 2012 (November 20th) and 2013 (October 5th). Korea’s market share also dipped down to 48.9% as foreign titles exceeded the 100 million mark for the first time on December 6th.

 

Driven by the phenomenal success of period epic Roaring Currents, which far exceeded previous record holders by clinching 17.61 million ticket sales, attendance for local films rebounded in mid-summer following a period of Hollywood dominance. Tinseltown currently holds the second and third spots for the year with Disney’s Frozen (10.3 million viewers) and Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi Interstellar, which is expected to cross the 10 million mark this week.

 

Other Korean hits this year have included the Lunar New Year family comedy Miss Granny (8.66 million viewers), the swashbuckler The Pirates (8.67 million viewers) and social drama The Attorney, which recorded 5.69 million of its 11.38 million admissions at the start of the year.

 

The local market share should rise marginally before the new year with CJ Entertainment’s Ode to My Father performing strongly at the top of the charts along with the surprise documentary hit My Love, Don’t Cross that River at number three. The films have attracted 1.98 million spectators in seven days and 2.63 million spectators in 27 days, respectively. Lotte Entertainment’s The Con Artists, which opens today, is also expected to perform well based on strong reservations.