Concrete Utopia, starring the acclaimed Lee Byung-hun, has triumphed over the female-led crime thriller “Smugglers,” securing its position as the reigning box office champion in South Korea for the latest weekend.
Directed by Um Tae-hwa, “Concrete Utopia” unfolds against the backdrop of a seismic disaster that strikes Seoul. Amidst the chaos, a solitary building emerges as a sanctuary for its occupants, but their refuge becomes a battleground as they strive to protect themselves from the scrutiny of outsiders.
Kobis, the Korean Film Council’s (Kofic) tracking service, has unveiled compelling data that reveals the film’s exceptional success. Making its debut on a Wednesday, “Concrete Utopia” immediately captured the audience’s attention, amassing a remarkable $8.40 million during the weekend from Friday to Sunday. Impressively, within its first five days, the film garnered a cumulative total of $11.3 million, commanding a substantial 53% share of the market.
“Smugglers,” although relinquishing its position as the frontrunner, continued to demonstrate its resilient appeal. Retaining the second spot during its third week, the crime thriller amassed $3.19 million over the weekend, propelling its overall earnings to an impressive $31.5 million across 19 days. Notably, the film has surpassed its break-even point and has captivated more than four million viewers, as affirmed by local media.
Further enriching South Korea’s cinematic landscape, the Korean production “Running Man: Revengers” made its debut, amassing $159,000 within its inaugural five days, with $120,000 contributed over the weekend.
The South Korean box office remains a captivating arena, showcasing a spectrum of cinematic narratives – from gripping disaster scenarios to enthralling crime thrillers. Each film leaves an indelible mark on the industry, contributing to the nation’s dynamic film culture. As “Concrete Utopia” stands triumphant and “Smugglers” continues to captivate, audiences can anticipate an engaging cinematic journey that reflects the nation’s diverse cinematic offerings.
