August 16 box office
According to the Korea Film Promotion Commission's integrated computer network for movie theater tickets, on the 16th, 'Oppenheimer' (director Christopher Nolan) mobilized 146,907 audiences and recorded a cumulative audience of 700,497.
'Oppenheimer' is a new film directed by Christopher Nolan, about a genius scientist's nuclear development project who must risk destroying the world to save it. 'Oppenheimer', which boasted a high reservation rate even before its release and received attention, is being chosen by many audiences.
In second place, 'Concrete Utopia' (director Uhm Tae-hwa) mobilized 93,583 viewers, recording a cumulative audience of 2,230,109. 'Concrete Utopia' is a disaster drama depicting the story of survivors gathering in the only remaining imperial palace apartment in Seoul, which was devastated by a major earthquake. Even before its release, this film, which received favorable reviews for being both popular and artistic, is cruising as if the expectations of the critics were reflected.
In third place was 'Sweet Sea: 7510' (director Lee Han), which mobilized 40,495 viewers on the first day and recorded a cumulative audience of 173,151. 'Sweet Sea: 7510' tells the story of Chiho (Yoo Hae-jin), a genius confectionery researcher who knows nothing but sweets, and Il-young (Kim Hee-seon), a world-positive mind who only knows about going straight.
'Smuggling' (director Ryu Seung-wan) came in 4th with 31,984 viewers, and the cumulative number of viewers was 4,601,773. 'Smuggling' is a maritime crime action drama in which people get caught up in a lifelong battle in front of people who made a living by rescuing daily necessities thrown into the sea.
‘Elemental’ (director Peter Sohn), with strong backing, is in 5th place. It mobilizes 16,576 viewers and accumulates a cumulative audience of 6,783,804. 'Elemental' is gaining momentum with the best score among animations since 'Frozen'. On the 30th of last month, it broke the record of "Suzume's Door Crackdown" (director Makoto Shinkai, 5.54 million), which had the best performance among foreign films this year, and has been steadily attracting audiences after taking the throne of the highest-grossing foreign film in 2023. It is expected that it will be possible to break through 7 million.
Among 'Oppenheimer', 'Sweet Sea: 7510', and 'Guardian' (Director Woo-Sung Jung), which were released side by side on the 15th, Seungri is definitely 'Oppenheimer'. We look forward to seeing if this momentum can continue. 'Guardian' is in sixth place with 25,284 viewers.
Jiye Choi, staff reporter at TenAsia wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr