Na Hong-jin's Hope packs theaters, racing past 2.4M in five days

Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope' is demonstrating overwhelming box office momentum right from its opening. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network data on the 21st, 'Hope' recorded a cumulative audience of 2,401,626 on its fifth day of release. This marks the fastest achievement of the 2 million viewer milestone among films released this year, beating director Yeon Sang Ho's 'Colony', which drew 2.1 million viewers in six days, by a full day.

Interest was concentrated from the very first day. On opening day alone, 333,918 people visited theaters, setting the highest opening record of the year. This figure surpasses the opening day audience counts of Na Hong-jin's previous works: 'The Wailing' (310,000), 'The Yellow Sea' (120,000), and 'The Chaser' (110,000). The box office momentum was further accelerated by the golden holiday period including Constitution Day and the presence of Hollywood animations dominating the charts. On Constitution Day alone, 594,781 viewers flocked to the theaters.

50 billion won production budget, 7 million viewer break-even point

'Hope' is a Korean film project with a production budget of 50 billion won. While a portion of the production costs was secured by pre-selling distribution rights to approximately 200 countries worldwide, the film must draw at least 7 million viewers in the domestic market to reach its break-even point.

Audience reactions remain divided. While the film receives praise for its overwhelming scale and visual beauty, opinions are split regarding the narrative's plausibility and the ending. As of the 22nd, the Daum rating stands at 5.6 and the Naver rating is 6.19. This shows a difference compared to the widespread public support seen by this year's 10-million-viewer hit 'The King's Warden'.

Securing momentum through discount vouchers and holiday demand

The 'Second Round Movie Discount Vouchers' distributed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council supported the early box office success. These vouchers, which allow viewers to watch a movie for 6,000 won, saw a total of 2.05 million copies distributed, and major multiplexes such as CGV and Megabox had already exhausted their entire stock as of the 20th.

During the three-day golden holiday spanning from Constitution Day through the weekend, 'Hope' drew a total of 1,504,013 viewers. Even as Hollywood animations like 'Minions & Monsters', 'Toy Story 5', and 'Moane' competed for the top spots at the box office, 'Hope' secured its market share based on its opening power and discount benefits.