Over the weekend, the South Korean box office saw “Harbin” extending its reign at the top.
According to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council, “Harbin” retained its first-place position, adding KRW3.02 billion ($2 million) to its gross. Despite a 35.8% drop from the previous weekend, the film captured 37.5% of the market share with 308,016 admissions. Set in 1909, several years after Korea became a Japanese colony, the action-thriller follows freedom fighters plotting the daring assassination of Japan’s prime minister during their quest for independence. Its cumulative total now stands at $27.1 million.
“The Firefighters” held steady in second place, earning $582,400 and drawing 88,817 viewers over the weekend. This drama, centering on the challenges of South Korean first responders, has now accumulated $23.6 million.
Debuting in third, “Forbidden Fairytale” opened with $418,860 and 65,569 admissions, showing strong initial interest since its Jan. 8 release. The film follows Dan-bi, a member of the youth protection team by day and an aspiring writer by night. After an accident with the CEO of an adult web novel publishing house, she finds herself writing adult fiction to pay off her debt. Her sensual stories not only captivate her readers but also awaken the senses of her colleague, Jung-seok, who has been struggling with personal issues. The film has a five-day total of $638,320.
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Korean animation “Pororo the Movie: Great Adventure Under the Sea” climbed to fourth place, earning $334,000 from 56,149 admissions. Its cumulative earnings now total $1.6 million. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” rounded out the top five, collecting $337,000 from 54,159 admissions. The film now has a cumulative gross of $1.73 million.
Further down the chart, “Bogota: The Land of Last Chance” earned $221,000 for sixth place, reflecting a 67% drop from the previous weekend. In the 1990s, 19-year-old Kook-hee moves to Bogotá with his family, hoping for a better life but ends up living hand to mouth. Starting at the bottom, he endures hardships and eventually dominates Bogotá’s black market. Its cumulative total stands at $2.5 million.
In seventh place, animated adventure “Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Our Dinosaur Diary” added $209,000, bringing its cumulative gross to $4.4 million.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” followed in eighth, earning $201,000 for a cumulative total of $5.4 million. “Wicked” ranked ninth, adding $208,000 for a total of $14.5 million, while “Moana 2” completed the top 10, earning $159,000 for a total of $21.9 million.