‘Hope’ storms Korean box office with 2.1 million admissions

After nearly a decade away from the director's chair, acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin has made a triumphant return as his sci-fi survival thriller Hope continues to dominate the domestic box office, drawing more than 2.12 million moviegoers and emerging as the country's biggest theatrical hit of the moment.

According to the Korean Box Office Information System (KOBIS), Hope accounted for an overwhelming 66.62 per cent of South Korea's total box office revenue during the July 17–19 weekend. The film grossed $11.3 million over the three-day period, attracting 1,504,019 admissions.

Since its release, the blockbuster has amassed $16 million in total earnings while selling 2,129,723 tickets, cementing its status as one of the year's strongest box-office performers.

The film marks Na Hong-jin's long-awaited return to feature filmmaking following the global success of The Wailing in 2016. Widely regarded as one of South Korea's most distinctive filmmakers, Na built his international reputation with critically acclaimed thrillers such as The Chaser, The Yellow Sea, and The Wailing, known for blending mystery, psychological tension and intense violence.

One of Hope's biggest attractions is its star-studded international cast. Alongside Korean stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, the film features Hollywood actors Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton.

Before its theatrical release, Hope premiered in the Competition section of the Cannes Film Festival in May and was later selected as the Centerpiece Film at the New York Asian Film Festival, further boosting anticipation among global audiences.

The film is set for its North American release through independent distributor Neon, the company behind the international success of award-winning films including Parasite, Anatomy of a Fall, and Anora.