August Box Office Hits Record High in South Korea
South Korea witnessed a record-breaking month at the box office in August, with the Korean films “Concrete Utopia” and “Smugglers,” along with the Hollywood film “Oppenheimer,” emerging as the top-grossing movies. The rankings were released by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).
During August, a total of 130 films were released in theaters, with an impressive 374 films screened through cinema, film festivals, and special exhibitions. These releases amassed a staggering total of 143.35 billion won (approximately $108.7 million) in box office revenue. The month also saw an impressive turnout, with a whopping 14,564,413 people flocking to cinemas to catch the latest releases.
At the forefront of success in August was “Concrete Utopia,” a star-studded Korean production featuring Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-jun, and Park Bo-young. Garnering significant attention, the film secured the top spot with an astounding attendance of 3.45 million and a gross of $25.52 million.
Coming in second was “Smugglers,” another Korean film that attracted audiences with its all-star cast including Kim Hye-soo, Yum Jung-ah, Zo Insung, and Park Jungmin. The gripping film captivated 3.04 million viewers, accumulating $22.25 million in box office earnings.
In third place was the Hollywood film “Oppenheimer,” which garnered 2.52 million admissions and a gross of $20.37 million. The film showcased the exceptional talent and storytelling that the industry has to offer.
Despite its release two months prior, “Elemental” managed to secure fourth place with 1.28 million in attendance and a gross of $9.47 million. The Korean film “Ransomed” concluded the top five with 1.01 million viewers and a gross of $7.38 million.
These impressive achievements reflect the continued growth and success of the South Korean film industry. With diverse and captivating storytelling, both local and international productions have managed to captivate audiences and entice them back to the theaters.
The rankings for the top-grossing films in August in South Korea, based on total admissions, are as follows:
- “Concrete Utopia” (South Korea) – $25,524,083 (total: $25,542,834) – 3,452,704 admissions (total: 3,454,880)
- “Smugglers” (South Korea) – $22,258,693 (total: $36,703,532) – 3,043,860 admissions (total: 5,022,095)
- “Oppenheimer” (USA) – $20,373,462 (total: $20,373,462) – 2,525,894 admissions (total: 2,525,894)
- “Elemental” (USA) – $9,478,794 (total: $52,532,544) – 1,285,652 admissions (total: 7,065,125)
- “Ransomed” (South Korea) – $7,385,990 (total: $7,696,438) – 1,013,010 admissions (total: 1,056,202)
The success of these films along with the others on the list indicates a bright future for the South Korean film industry and continues to solidify its position as a significant player in the global cinema landscape.
