Korean Box Office Continues to Bow to ‘Exhuma’ for Fourth Consecutive Weekend
The South Korean box office scene is painting a familiar picture, with the gripping drama “Exhuma” maintaining its stronghold for the fourth weekend in a row, capturing over 50% of the market share once again. This dominance is coupled with the consistent performance of “Dune 2,” securing its place in second position for the third consecutive weekend.
“Exhuma,” a compelling tale revolving around two shamans, a feng shui master, and a mortician embarking on a mission to unravel the mysterious occurrences within a Korean family based in the U.S., amassed a staggering $5.80 million in revenue between Friday and Sunday alone. According to data from the Korean Film Council (Kofic), this earnings marked a commanding 67% share of the overall box office market, propelling the film’s total earnings to an impressive $67.3 million over its nearly four-week run. Notably, this figure stands as the highest box office performance of the year so far, and ranks as the fourth highest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With ticket sales already crossing the 9.30 million mark, “Exhuma” is poised to surpass the coveted ten million admissions threshold, cementing its status as a bona fide blockbuster in the Korean cinema landscape.
Meanwhile, “Dune 2” continued its steady performance, adding $1.73 million to its revenue over the weekend, securing a 19% share of the total market. With almost three weeks in theaters, the film’s cumulative earnings have now reached $13.6 million, positioning it as the third highest-grossing film of the year in Korea and the fourth highest in terms of admissions.
The remainder of the box office chart remained relatively stable, with “Wonka” holding onto the third spot with earnings of $335,000, bringing its total to $25 million. “Poor Things” followed suit in fourth place, garnering $174,000 over the weekend and reaching a two-week total of $822,000. The Korean animation “Bread Barbershop: Celeb in Bakery Town” maintained its fifth position with earnings of $128,000, accumulating a total of $1.09 million over three weeks.
Among the new releases, the action-packed thriller “Land of Bad,” featuring Liam Hemsworth, Luke Hemsworth, and Russell Crowe, made its debut in sixth place, raking in $105,000 during the weekend and $165,000 over five days. Meanwhile, the Korean-American drama “Past Lives” trailed in seventh place, earning $117,000 and reaching a two-weekend total of $612,000.
Despite international success, “Bob Marley: One Love” saw a muted opening in Korea, landing in eighth place with weekend earnings of $87,000 and a five-day total of $187,000. “The Birth of Korea” secured ninth place with $58,400, bringing its total earnings since February 1 to $8.09 million. Finally, the Canadian animation “Katak: The Brave Beluga” made its debut in the tenth spot, earning $59,000 over five days.
As the Korean box office continues to showcase the enduring popularity of local and international releases alike, “Exhuma” remains the undisputed champion, captivating audiences with its captivating storyline and stellar performances, while newcomers strive to make their mark in this dynamic cinematic landscape.