Korean comedy action film “The Roundup: Punishment” destroyed all competition in local theaters on its Wednesday opening day.
The film earned $4.92 million from 821,000 ticket sales, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). That represented a crushing 97% share of the day’s theatrical market.
Including a smattering of previews over the latest weekend, the film finished Wednesday with a cumulative of $5.26 million earned from 862,000 spectators.
Earlier, it was reported that the film had broken the Korean record for advanced ticket sales. On the eve of its arrival in cinemas, the film had notched up 830,000 pre-sales for Wednesday and other subsequent days. That comfortably exceeded previous record-holder “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” which pre-sold 646,000 tickets in 2018, and last year’s “The Roundup: No Way Out,” which pre-sold 640,000 before arriving in cinemas.
The film, which sees a tough-guy cop go after gangsters involved in drugs,...
The film earned $4.92 million from 821,000 ticket sales, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). That represented a crushing 97% share of the day’s theatrical market.
Including a smattering of previews over the latest weekend, the film finished Wednesday with a cumulative of $5.26 million earned from 862,000 spectators.
Earlier, it was reported that the film had broken the Korean record for advanced ticket sales. On the eve of its arrival in cinemas, the film had notched up 830,000 pre-sales for Wednesday and other subsequent days. That comfortably exceeded previous record-holder “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” which pre-sold 646,000 tickets in 2018, and last year’s “The Roundup: No Way Out,” which pre-sold 640,000 before arriving in cinemas.
The film, which sees a tough-guy cop go after gangsters involved in drugs,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
CAA has come on board to advise on the worldwide sales of “Pleasant Outcast,” the post-apocalyptic Korean thriller series from Lotte Cultureworks (“Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days”) and Climax Studio. “Pleasant Outcast” is set to premiere at Canneseries, which kicks off April 5.
The 10-part series is a companion piece to the Korean box office smash hit film “Concrete Utopia,” which was selected as South Korea’s Oscar contender and sold to 185 countries.
“Pleasant Outcast” is co-directed by Min Yong-keun (“Soulmate”) and Yang Soo-hee. It’s based on the same best-selling webtoon, “Cheerful Outcast.” While “Concrete Utopia” was based on the second part of “Cheerful Outcast,” “Pleasant Outcast” is based on the first part of the flagship title.
“Pleasant Outcast” was written by Kim Bo-tong, creator and co-writer of Netflix’s “D.P.” and Min Young-keun. Kim Bo-tong is also signed to CAA.
Described as being in the...
The 10-part series is a companion piece to the Korean box office smash hit film “Concrete Utopia,” which was selected as South Korea’s Oscar contender and sold to 185 countries.
“Pleasant Outcast” is co-directed by Min Yong-keun (“Soulmate”) and Yang Soo-hee. It’s based on the same best-selling webtoon, “Cheerful Outcast.” While “Concrete Utopia” was based on the second part of “Cheerful Outcast,” “Pleasant Outcast” is based on the first part of the flagship title.
“Pleasant Outcast” was written by Kim Bo-tong, creator and co-writer of Netflix’s “D.P.” and Min Young-keun. Kim Bo-tong is also signed to CAA.
Described as being in the...
- 4/4/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Lotte Cultureworks will launch “Holy Night: Demon Hunters,” likely to be one of the biggest Korean movies of the year, at next month’s European Film Market in Berlin.
The occult-themed action movie stars Don Lee, the Korean-American superstar who also fronts “The Roundup” comedy-action franchise. The fourth instalment in that series “The Roundup: Punishment” will have its world premiere in the Berlin festival’s Berlinale Special section, with Lee expected to be in attendance, giving Lotte some additional momentum with the new title launch.
“Holy Night: Demon Hunters” sees Seoul descend into chaos as a devil-worshipping criminal network takes control. In a desperate plea for salvation, the police are forced to enlist Holy Night, a trio of demon hunters armed with supernatural powers.
The cast also includes Seohyun (real name Seo Ju-hyun) of K-pop sensation Girls Generation, who has acting credits in Netflix film “Love and Leashes” and TV series “Private Lives,...
The occult-themed action movie stars Don Lee, the Korean-American superstar who also fronts “The Roundup” comedy-action franchise. The fourth instalment in that series “The Roundup: Punishment” will have its world premiere in the Berlin festival’s Berlinale Special section, with Lee expected to be in attendance, giving Lotte some additional momentum with the new title launch.
“Holy Night: Demon Hunters” sees Seoul descend into chaos as a devil-worshipping criminal network takes control. In a desperate plea for salvation, the police are forced to enlist Holy Night, a trio of demon hunters armed with supernatural powers.
The cast also includes Seohyun (real name Seo Ju-hyun) of K-pop sensation Girls Generation, who has acting credits in Netflix film “Love and Leashes” and TV series “Private Lives,...
- 1/26/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
With the ongoing labor disputes casting shadows on Hollywood, audiences are turning to alternative streaming platforms for their entertainment fix. Leading the charge in offering a captivating alternative is Kocowa+, the premier Korean content streamer, stepping up to deliver an impressive 40,000-hour library and an exciting lineup of five new shows this month. Kocowa+ is also expanding its collection with more timeless Korean films, including the internationally acclaimed zombie blockbuster, “Train to Busan.”
Kocowa+ CEO KunHee Park expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming fall season, stating, “We're thrilled to kick off our autumn lineup with a diverse array of new shows and films. Our film collection, in particular, showcases some of the most iconic and culturally significant Korean cinema, now accessible to a wider audience.”
K-Drama lovers can anticipate the “Live Your Own Life” premiere on September 16. This heartwarming show narrates the journey of Lee Hyo Shim, a benevolent...
Kocowa+ CEO KunHee Park expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming fall season, stating, “We're thrilled to kick off our autumn lineup with a diverse array of new shows and films. Our film collection, in particular, showcases some of the most iconic and culturally significant Korean cinema, now accessible to a wider audience.”
K-Drama lovers can anticipate the “Live Your Own Life” premiere on September 16. This heartwarming show narrates the journey of Lee Hyo Shim, a benevolent...
- 9/12/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Universal’s Jurassic World: Dominion began early offshore rollout today and is off to a stomping good start in Korea with 6M. This is the fourth biggest opening day of all time in the market — topped only by Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Avengers: Endgame, and local title Along With The Gods 2 — and is the highest opening day of the pandemic there. The release pattern on Jw:d differs from that of Fallen Kingdom which debuted in 48 overseas markets in 2018, but is similarly also before domestic which this time around goes June 10.
Further benchmarks for the Colin Trevorrow-directed threequel in Korea include the 2nd best Universal launch day ever and the No. 1 Election Day debut ever.
After giving Sony/Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home a hero’s welcome back in December, Korea fell back into the Covid doldrums and then suddenly began springing back to life recently with Disney...
Further benchmarks for the Colin Trevorrow-directed threequel in Korea include the 2nd best Universal launch day ever and the No. 1 Election Day debut ever.
After giving Sony/Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home a hero’s welcome back in December, Korea fell back into the Covid doldrums and then suddenly began springing back to life recently with Disney...
- 6/1/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: UTA has signed Korean filmmaker Kim Yong-hwa, one of the most important figures in the Korean screen industry.
Kim is behind the mega-grossing Along With the Gods film and its two sequels – Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds and Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days – which between them have grossed more than 200M globally with close to 30 million admissions. The franchise is the most successful in Korean cinema history, and also made waves at the box office in countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
UTA will now be taking an Along With the Gods TV series to market, based on the original webcomic IP. The filmmaker is also working on film project The Moon, which will star Korean actors Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Hee-ae and Do Kyung-soo.
Kim, whose credits also include Take Off and 200 Pounds Beauty, is the founder of the largest VFX company in Korea,...
Kim is behind the mega-grossing Along With the Gods film and its two sequels – Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds and Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days – which between them have grossed more than 200M globally with close to 30 million admissions. The franchise is the most successful in Korean cinema history, and also made waves at the box office in countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
UTA will now be taking an Along With the Gods TV series to market, based on the original webcomic IP. The filmmaker is also working on film project The Moon, which will star Korean actors Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Hee-ae and Do Kyung-soo.
Kim, whose credits also include Take Off and 200 Pounds Beauty, is the founder of the largest VFX company in Korea,...
- 4/18/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Don Lee, who stars as an Asian superhero in Marvel’s “Eternals,” will next be seen at the head of Korean franchise movie “The Roundup.”
The film is a sequel to “The Outlaws,” a 2017 crime actioner that took $51 million at the Korean box office. That performance confirmed Lee’s star status, which had been freshly minted with his role in the previous year’s zombie action sensation “Train to Busan.”
Lee, who is alternatively credited as Ma Dong-seok, was born in Seoul, but was educated in Ohio and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. His acting career, which has almost entirely been in Korea, has frequently involved tough-guy roles. But a cheeky persona and a quick wit have earned him an army of diehard fans. “Eternals” is his first mainstream Hollywood role.
In “The Roundup,” Lee reprises his role as “Beast Cop” Ma Seok-do who heads to a foreign country to extradite a suspect.
The film is a sequel to “The Outlaws,” a 2017 crime actioner that took $51 million at the Korean box office. That performance confirmed Lee’s star status, which had been freshly minted with his role in the previous year’s zombie action sensation “Train to Busan.”
Lee, who is alternatively credited as Ma Dong-seok, was born in Seoul, but was educated in Ohio and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. His acting career, which has almost entirely been in Korea, has frequently involved tough-guy roles. But a cheeky persona and a quick wit have earned him an army of diehard fans. “Eternals” is his first mainstream Hollywood role.
In “The Roundup,” Lee reprises his role as “Beast Cop” Ma Seok-do who heads to a foreign country to extradite a suspect.
- 11/3/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
South Korea, a hotbed of contemporary cultural fervor, is to get a significant new development and production company headed by veteran studio executives. The new venture, Covenant Pictures starts operations with solid financial backing, a diverse slate, and a first-look deal with the producers of the hit “Along With The Gods” movie franchise.
Covenant sees itself scouring Asia for IP that will be developed and produced as Korean-made films and TV series. Relationships in East Asia could cast the net wider, in future.
Covenant is co-founded by Lee Young Han and Justin Choi, both former GMs of Lotte MediaWorks (previously Lotte Cinema), Korea’s second-largest vertically-integrated movie conglomerate. Lee has production and film finance experience managing over 90 titles while at Lotte, while Choi’s focus was on international affairs, acquisitions and marketing. Choi was also the territory Gm for Paramount Pictures’ sub-distribution relationship in Korea.
“Korea is the most exciting...
Covenant sees itself scouring Asia for IP that will be developed and produced as Korean-made films and TV series. Relationships in East Asia could cast the net wider, in future.
Covenant is co-founded by Lee Young Han and Justin Choi, both former GMs of Lotte MediaWorks (previously Lotte Cinema), Korea’s second-largest vertically-integrated movie conglomerate. Lee has production and film finance experience managing over 90 titles while at Lotte, while Choi’s focus was on international affairs, acquisitions and marketing. Choi was also the territory Gm for Paramount Pictures’ sub-distribution relationship in Korea.
“Korea is the most exciting...
- 11/24/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Cj Enm, one of Asia’s leading entertainment companies and the outfit behind Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning sensation Parasite, is taking a significant stake in fellow South Korean company Dexter Studios.
Founded by Kim Yong-Hwa, Dexter is the producer of numerous mega-grossing Korean blockbusters including Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds, which took more than $100m in Korea, and its 2018 sequel Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days, which grossed north of $90M in its home market. Its most recent in-house production was disaster movie Ashfall, which has grossed $60M locally.
The company is also one of the leading visual effects makers in the region, with credits including the 2013 comedy Mr. Go, for which they created a gorilla that becomes a Korean baseball star, and more recently effects work on Parasite and Burning.
Cj is buying a significant part of the company to become its second-largest shareholder...
Founded by Kim Yong-Hwa, Dexter is the producer of numerous mega-grossing Korean blockbusters including Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds, which took more than $100m in Korea, and its 2018 sequel Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days, which grossed north of $90M in its home market. Its most recent in-house production was disaster movie Ashfall, which has grossed $60M locally.
The company is also one of the leading visual effects makers in the region, with credits including the 2013 comedy Mr. Go, for which they created a gorilla that becomes a Korean baseball star, and more recently effects work on Parasite and Burning.
Cj is buying a significant part of the company to become its second-largest shareholder...
- 2/26/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Kim Yong-Hwa, the South Korean filmmaker whose credits include box office smash fantasy action drama Along With The Gods and its sequel, has provided an update on his planned first co-production with Hollywood.
Speaking at the 2019 International Film Festival & Awards Macao (Iffam), the director said that he is still working on Prodigal, a U.S.-Korea co-production that he announced in 2017 would be produced by his company Dexter Studios, its first Hollywood film.
The project was set to be co-produced with Pow! Entertainment, the American outfit run by Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee, who died last year at the age of 95.
Mr Kim said he is now in discussions with new partners about resurrecting the project, which was initially set to be written by I Am Number Four scribes Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, though didn’t disclose company names.
Reports back in 2017 said it would focus on “paternal love...
Speaking at the 2019 International Film Festival & Awards Macao (Iffam), the director said that he is still working on Prodigal, a U.S.-Korea co-production that he announced in 2017 would be produced by his company Dexter Studios, its first Hollywood film.
The project was set to be co-produced with Pow! Entertainment, the American outfit run by Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee, who died last year at the age of 95.
Mr Kim said he is now in discussions with new partners about resurrecting the project, which was initially set to be written by I Am Number Four scribes Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, though didn’t disclose company names.
Reports back in 2017 said it would focus on “paternal love...
- 12/7/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Director Yoon Ga-eun took the indie film world by storm with her debut feature film “The World of Us“. Featuring tremendous acting from young actors, the film was lauded by critics and audience alike. She now aims to follow up on the success of her debut with her second film “The House of Us”.
Synopsis
“What’s wrong with my house?”
12 year-old Ha-na is worried about her parents fighting all the time, and Yoo-mi and Yoo-jin hate that they move all the time. One summer holiday they become friends and share a bond. The three of them talk about their families and decide to take a risk to protect their more than precious homes.
“I am going to protect my house and yours, too!”
The highlight of “The World of Us” was the performance that Yoon Ga-eun had gotten out of her child actors and she once again works with children in this one.
Synopsis
“What’s wrong with my house?”
12 year-old Ha-na is worried about her parents fighting all the time, and Yoo-mi and Yoo-jin hate that they move all the time. One summer holiday they become friends and share a bond. The three of them talk about their families and decide to take a risk to protect their more than precious homes.
“I am going to protect my house and yours, too!”
The highlight of “The World of Us” was the performance that Yoon Ga-eun had gotten out of her child actors and she once again works with children in this one.
- 7/11/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Fans of K-drama in Singapore will soon have a new lineup from Netflix’s ensemble of Hallyu’s best content this summer and fall seasons.
“There’s just so much love for Korean content in this region, especially in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Netflix started adding Korean titles three years ago, and we’ve seen how that has attracted new audiences who are discovering the Netflix viewing experience for their k-drama viewing,” said Minyoung Kim, director of content, Korea, Netflix. “Fan favorites like Korean Odyssey, Something in the Rain, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim are all part of our growing library and today, we are pleased to be working with Korean talent and creators on the second season of original titles like Kingdom and My First First Love.”
Since 2018, Netflix’s library of Korean content includes popular romantic comedies like Romance Is My Bonus Book to thrillers like Memories of the Alhambra.
“There’s just so much love for Korean content in this region, especially in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Netflix started adding Korean titles three years ago, and we’ve seen how that has attracted new audiences who are discovering the Netflix viewing experience for their k-drama viewing,” said Minyoung Kim, director of content, Korea, Netflix. “Fan favorites like Korean Odyssey, Something in the Rain, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim are all part of our growing library and today, we are pleased to be working with Korean talent and creators on the second season of original titles like Kingdom and My First First Love.”
Since 2018, Netflix’s library of Korean content includes popular romantic comedies like Romance Is My Bonus Book to thrillers like Memories of the Alhambra.
- 6/14/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Box office revenue and ticket sales in South Korean cinemas took diverging paths in 2018, while the distribution landscape was shaken up, with a new No. 1 player for the first time in more than a decade.
Revenues increased by 3% from $1.56 billion (Krw 1.76 billion) in 2017 to $1.61 billion (Krw 1.81 billion) in 2018, according to data from the Korean Film Council’s Kobis service. But admissions dropped from 220 million to 216 million, which still gives South Korea (population 51 million) one of the highest per-capita attendance rates in the world.
Hollywood prospered in the East Asian nation last year, with seven films earning a place in the top 10, up from just three in 2017. The market share for locally produced films edged down fractionally from 52% in 2017 to 51% in 2018.
Several large-budget Korean films were produced and released, especially for the Chuseok holidays, but many of them are believed to have lost money. Mid-budget films, such as “On Your Wedding Day,...
Revenues increased by 3% from $1.56 billion (Krw 1.76 billion) in 2017 to $1.61 billion (Krw 1.81 billion) in 2018, according to data from the Korean Film Council’s Kobis service. But admissions dropped from 220 million to 216 million, which still gives South Korea (population 51 million) one of the highest per-capita attendance rates in the world.
Hollywood prospered in the East Asian nation last year, with seven films earning a place in the top 10, up from just three in 2017. The market share for locally produced films edged down fractionally from 52% in 2017 to 51% in 2018.
Several large-budget Korean films were produced and released, especially for the Chuseok holidays, but many of them are believed to have lost money. Mid-budget films, such as “On Your Wedding Day,...
- 1/4/2019
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
South Korean cinema has a history of strong, engrossing female action leads. Films like “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance”, “Bedevilled” or last year’s “The Villainess” successfully mined the revenge thriller genre to give us memorable female characters. 2018 sees director Im Kyung-taek give us another action female lead in his sophomore effort “Sister”.
Synopsis
“Sister” is an action movie about a woman settling her secretive past and taking revenge for her sister who was abandoned by the world.
“Sister” stars former Champion-level amateur boxer Lee Si-young, who was last seen in “The Divine Move” and “Killer Toon”, as the titular elder sister. Also featuring Choi Jin-ho (“Illang: The Wolf Brigade”), Lee Jun-hyuk (“Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days”) and Park Se-wan (“Omok Girl”), “Sister” releases in South Korea in December, 2018.
Synopsis
“Sister” is an action movie about a woman settling her secretive past and taking revenge for her sister who was abandoned by the world.
“Sister” stars former Champion-level amateur boxer Lee Si-young, who was last seen in “The Divine Move” and “Killer Toon”, as the titular elder sister. Also featuring Choi Jin-ho (“Illang: The Wolf Brigade”), Lee Jun-hyuk (“Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days”) and Park Se-wan (“Omok Girl”), “Sister” releases in South Korea in December, 2018.
- 11/29/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Following the blockbuster success of “Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds”, writer/directed Kim Yong-hwa (“Take Off”) returns to bring back the characters based on a wildly popular webcomic in “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days”. With an all-star cast, including Ha Jung-woo (“The Handmaiden”), Ju Ji-hoon (“Asura: The City of Madness”), Kim Hyang-gi (“Thread of Lies”) and Lee Jung-jae (“Assassination”) “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days” debuts on Digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD December 11. The bonus materials include behind-the-scenes footage and character intros.
Synopsis:
The fantasy epic that smashed box office records in Korea reaches its thrilling climax in “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days”. As the deceased soul Su-hong and his three afterlife guardians face the remaining trials to obtain their reincarnation, the guardians come face to face with the buried truth of their tragic time on earth a thousand years ago,...
Synopsis:
The fantasy epic that smashed box office records in Korea reaches its thrilling climax in “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days”. As the deceased soul Su-hong and his three afterlife guardians face the remaining trials to obtain their reincarnation, the guardians come face to face with the buried truth of their tragic time on earth a thousand years ago,...
- 11/13/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
In June, South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group saw its film exhibition, investment and distribution operations break off from its retail subsidiary to form a new affiliate, rebranded as Lotte Cultureworks. As if to fete the launch of the new division, its first film, the $36 million August release Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days, has topped Avengers: Infinity War to become the country’s biggest release this year. The pic has crossed 12.3 million admissions (South Korea has a population of about 50 million) and grossed more than $90.1 million. The VFX-heavy fantasy film about journeying into the afterworld ...
- 11/3/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
In June, South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group saw its film exhibition, investment and distribution operations break off from its retail subsidiary to form a new affiliate, rebranded as Lotte Cultureworks. As if to fete the launch of the new division, its first film, the $36 million August release Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days, has topped Avengers: Infinity War to become the country’s biggest release this year. The pic has crossed 12.3 million admissions (South Korea has a population of about 50 million) and grossed more than $90.1 million. The VFX-heavy fantasy film about journeying into the afterworld ...
- 11/3/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After a spate of action comedies “Champion”, “The Soul-Mate” and the upcoming “The Villagers” as well as a starring role in the fantasy adventure “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days”, Ma Dong-seok will be seeing 2018 off in style as the lead in out-and-out crime thriller “Unstoppable” by debutant director Kim Min-ho.
Synopsis
Dong-Chul and Ji-Soo are a happily married couple. Dong-Chul was once a notorious gangster, but he has since changed his ways. One day, Dong-Chul comes to home to find his house in disarray and his wife missing. Dong-Chul then receives a phone call from someone offering to pay him to give up his wife. Dong-Chul vows to save his wife.
The action thriller also stars Song Ji-hyo as Ji-soo as well as Kim Sung-oh in an important role. “Unstoppable”, whose Korean title literally translates as “Angry Bull”, is slated for a November 2018 release in South Korea.
Synopsis
Dong-Chul and Ji-Soo are a happily married couple. Dong-Chul was once a notorious gangster, but he has since changed his ways. One day, Dong-Chul comes to home to find his house in disarray and his wife missing. Dong-Chul then receives a phone call from someone offering to pay him to give up his wife. Dong-Chul vows to save his wife.
The action thriller also stars Song Ji-hyo as Ji-soo as well as Kim Sung-oh in an important role. “Unstoppable”, whose Korean title literally translates as “Angry Bull”, is slated for a November 2018 release in South Korea.
- 10/23/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Busan’s Asian Film Market announced the winners Oct. 8 of E-ip Pitching and Book to Film programs in which intellectual properties, including web comics, novels and story ideas, are pitched for film and TV adaptation.
The New Creator awards, sponsored by leading local studio Next Entertainment World, went to Han Ji-su’s mystery romance novel “The Sixth Wife” and Haewon’s crime thriller “Good Job.” “Good Job” is a story about two hopeless job-seekers that become entangled in a whirlwind of greed, conspiracy and betrayal when they are hired by a cleaning company. Each winner received a cash prize of $8,800 (Krw 10 million).
Seo Eun-chae’s fantasy romance novel “A Week Before I Die,” Lee Yun-kyun’s web comic “Delivery Knight,” Yoon Seon-young’s high school-set story “Land of Silence” and “The Devil,” a web comic written by Meen and drawn by Keun bit each won prizes named for new sponsor Tory Comics,...
The New Creator awards, sponsored by leading local studio Next Entertainment World, went to Han Ji-su’s mystery romance novel “The Sixth Wife” and Haewon’s crime thriller “Good Job.” “Good Job” is a story about two hopeless job-seekers that become entangled in a whirlwind of greed, conspiracy and betrayal when they are hired by a cleaning company. Each winner received a cash prize of $8,800 (Krw 10 million).
Seo Eun-chae’s fantasy romance novel “A Week Before I Die,” Lee Yun-kyun’s web comic “Delivery Knight,” Yoon Seon-young’s high school-set story “Land of Silence” and “The Devil,” a web comic written by Meen and drawn by Keun bit each won prizes named for new sponsor Tory Comics,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Leading Korean studio Lotte Entertainment will produce a Korean-language remake of Mexican comedy blockbuster “Instructions Not Included.” The group has partnered with Lionsgate-affiliated Globalgate Entertainment, which is developing local-language versions of the Eugenio Derbez-directed picture.
“In addition to distribution rights, our sales and acquisitions businesses, we also see the growing importance of remake deals and international co-productions,” said Justin Choi, Gm of Lotte’s international marketing and distribution department. “The demand is growing.”
After a couple of years in a slump, Lotte has returned to the forefront of Korean cinema, propelled by the sensational pan-Asian success of “Along With the Gods: The Two Words” in 2017. Its simultaneously produced sequel, “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” was also huge hit this year. It earned $90.8 million in Korea alone.
The company unveiled its 2019 lineup at an event on the margins of the Busan International Film Festival this week,...
“In addition to distribution rights, our sales and acquisitions businesses, we also see the growing importance of remake deals and international co-productions,” said Justin Choi, Gm of Lotte’s international marketing and distribution department. “The demand is growing.”
After a couple of years in a slump, Lotte has returned to the forefront of Korean cinema, propelled by the sensational pan-Asian success of “Along With the Gods: The Two Words” in 2017. Its simultaneously produced sequel, “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” was also huge hit this year. It earned $90.8 million in Korea alone.
The company unveiled its 2019 lineup at an event on the margins of the Busan International Film Festival this week,...
- 10/7/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Ma Dong-seok’s rise from strongman side roles to one of the most bankable stars in South Korea and a global superstar has been nothing short of incredible. 2018, in particular, was a strong year for the ex-Mma coach, with starring roles in the arm-wrestling comedy-drama “Champion” and the upcoming “Wonderful Ghost” (also called “The Soul-mate”), as well as a key role in the tentpole film “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days”. Looking to finish the year off on a high, his final film of 2018 will be director Lim Jin-soon’s “The Villagers”.
Synopsis
Ki-Cheol begins work as a contract gym teacher at a high school in a quiet countryside village. Ki-Cheol feels weird because a female high school student went missing, but nobody in the village seems to care. Only Yoo-Jin, who is the missing girl’s friend, is sure that her friend has been kidnapped. Yoo-Jin...
Synopsis
Ki-Cheol begins work as a contract gym teacher at a high school in a quiet countryside village. Ki-Cheol feels weird because a female high school student went missing, but nobody in the village seems to care. Only Yoo-Jin, who is the missing girl’s friend, is sure that her friend has been kidnapped. Yoo-Jin...
- 9/29/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Improving its score by 62% in its second weekend, Sony’s “Searching” climbed to top of the South Korean box office. Starring Korean-American actor John Cho, the drama earned $5.79 million from 768,000 admissions between Friday and Sunday for a total of $13.0 million from 1.74 million admissions after two weekends. It accounted for 50% of the total weekend box office.
Local romantic drama, “On Your Wedding Day” slipped to second. The Megabox release earned $2.38 million over the weekend for a total of $18.8 million after three weekends on release.
Opening on Thursday, Leigh Whannell’s “Upgrade” debuted in third. The Upi release earned $902,000 admissions over its opening four days.
Korean duo, “High Society” and “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” took fourth and fifth places, respectively. With a sharp week-on-week drop of 72%, Lotte’s “High Society” earned $643,000 between Friday and Sunday for a two-weekend total of $5.23 million. Another Lotte release, “Last 49 Days” added $389,000 over...
Local romantic drama, “On Your Wedding Day” slipped to second. The Megabox release earned $2.38 million over the weekend for a total of $18.8 million after three weekends on release.
Opening on Thursday, Leigh Whannell’s “Upgrade” debuted in third. The Upi release earned $902,000 admissions over its opening four days.
Korean duo, “High Society” and “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” took fourth and fifth places, respectively. With a sharp week-on-week drop of 72%, Lotte’s “High Society” earned $643,000 between Friday and Sunday for a two-weekend total of $5.23 million. Another Lotte release, “Last 49 Days” added $389,000 over...
- 9/10/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Local romantic drama, “On Your Wedding Day” remained on top of the South Korean box office. The Megabox release earned $4.5 million from 568,000 admissions between Friday and Sunday for a total of $14.7 million after two weekends.
Released on Wednesday, American thriller “Searching” landed in second. Starring Korean-American actor John Cho, the Sony release earned $4.4 million. Opening the same day, Korean drama “High Society” debuted in third place. The Lotte Entertainment release earned $3.75 million from 509,000 admissions over five days. Directed by Byun Hyuk the film tells the story of a married couple who try to climb the social ladder. The top three films together accounted for 70% of total weekend box office.
Another Lotte release, “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” remained in fourth. The fantasy drama earned $896,000 to extend its total to $91.0 million after five weekends on release. Next Entertainment World’s crime thriller “The Witness” incurred a week-on-week drop of 77% and slipped to fifth.
Released on Wednesday, American thriller “Searching” landed in second. Starring Korean-American actor John Cho, the Sony release earned $4.4 million. Opening the same day, Korean drama “High Society” debuted in third place. The Lotte Entertainment release earned $3.75 million from 509,000 admissions over five days. Directed by Byun Hyuk the film tells the story of a married couple who try to climb the social ladder. The top three films together accounted for 70% of total weekend box office.
Another Lotte release, “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” remained in fourth. The fantasy drama earned $896,000 to extend its total to $91.0 million after five weekends on release. Next Entertainment World’s crime thriller “The Witness” incurred a week-on-week drop of 77% and slipped to fifth.
- 9/3/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Korean romantic drama “On Your Wedding Day” landed on top of the South Korean box office. That helped local titles remain strong and account for more than 75% of the total weekend box office.
Opening on Wednesday, “Wedding Day” earned $7.06 million from 901,000 admissions between Wednesday and Sunday. Featuring young stars Park Bo-young (“Collective Invention”) and Kim Young-kwang (“Hot Young Bloods”), the Megabox release tells the story of a ten-year romance and friendship from the youngsters’ teenage years.
Crime thriller “The Witness” slipped to second. The Next Entertainment World release earned $3.53 million between Friday and Sunday for a total of $17.1 million after two weekends on release. Cj Entertainment’s “The Spy Gone North” and Lotte Entertainment’s “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” slipped to third to fourth places, respectively. “Spy Gone North” earned $2.6 million from between Friday and Sunday, to extend its total to $36.2 million after three weekends. 2018’s biggest title,...
Opening on Wednesday, “Wedding Day” earned $7.06 million from 901,000 admissions between Wednesday and Sunday. Featuring young stars Park Bo-young (“Collective Invention”) and Kim Young-kwang (“Hot Young Bloods”), the Megabox release tells the story of a ten-year romance and friendship from the youngsters’ teenage years.
Crime thriller “The Witness” slipped to second. The Next Entertainment World release earned $3.53 million between Friday and Sunday for a total of $17.1 million after two weekends on release. Cj Entertainment’s “The Spy Gone North” and Lotte Entertainment’s “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” slipped to third to fourth places, respectively. “Spy Gone North” earned $2.6 million from between Friday and Sunday, to extend its total to $36.2 million after three weekends. 2018’s biggest title,...
- 8/27/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
A trio of locally-made films — “The Witness,” “The Spy Gone North” and “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” — took top three spots at the South Korean box office.
Opening on the National Liberation Day, crime thriller “Witness” debuted on top, beating the previous week’s winner, “49 Days.” The Next Entertainment World release earned $10.6 million from 1.37 million admissions between Wednesday and Sunday. Directed by Cho Kyu-hang, “Witness” revolves around a salaryman who watches a murder from the balcony of his apartment and struggles to protect his family from the murderer.
In second spot, Cj Entertainment’s “Spy” earned $6.3 million between Friday and Sunday for a running total of $31.1 million after two weekends on release. Lotte Entertainment’s “Along with the Gods” sequel “49 Days” earned $5.05 million for a three-weekend cumulative of $84.5 million from 11.32 million admissions. That makes “along With the Gods” the first Korean franchise where all parts have sold more than 10 million tickets.
Opening on the National Liberation Day, crime thriller “Witness” debuted on top, beating the previous week’s winner, “49 Days.” The Next Entertainment World release earned $10.6 million from 1.37 million admissions between Wednesday and Sunday. Directed by Cho Kyu-hang, “Witness” revolves around a salaryman who watches a murder from the balcony of his apartment and struggles to protect his family from the murderer.
In second spot, Cj Entertainment’s “Spy” earned $6.3 million between Friday and Sunday for a running total of $31.1 million after two weekends on release. Lotte Entertainment’s “Along with the Gods” sequel “49 Days” earned $5.05 million for a three-weekend cumulative of $84.5 million from 11.32 million admissions. That makes “along With the Gods” the first Korean franchise where all parts have sold more than 10 million tickets.
- 8/20/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
“Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” headed towards the record books and remained atop the South Korean box office. It beat a trio of prominent newcomers. The Lotte Entertainment release earned $12.2 million from 1.57 million admissions between Friday and Sunday, for a total of $70.9 million after two weekends on release.
“The Spy Gone North,” directed by Yoon Jong-bin debuted in second place. Opening on Wednesday, the Cj Entertainment release earned $15.7 million admissions over five days. Starring top actor Hwang Jung-min, the espionage drama revolves around a South Korean secret agent who hatches a deal with North Korea on the eve of the 1997 South Korean presidential elections. It premiered in Cannes’ Midnight Screening this year. The top two films together accounted for 69% of the total weekend box office.
“Mamma Mia!” sequel “Here We Go Again” landed in third. Opening on Wednesday, the Upi musical drama earned $6.56 million, including revenues from...
“The Spy Gone North,” directed by Yoon Jong-bin debuted in second place. Opening on Wednesday, the Cj Entertainment release earned $15.7 million admissions over five days. Starring top actor Hwang Jung-min, the espionage drama revolves around a South Korean secret agent who hatches a deal with North Korea on the eve of the 1997 South Korean presidential elections. It premiered in Cannes’ Midnight Screening this year. The top two films together accounted for 69% of the total weekend box office.
“Mamma Mia!” sequel “Here We Go Again” landed in third. Opening on Wednesday, the Upi musical drama earned $6.56 million, including revenues from...
- 8/13/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Two specialty releases played to good opening numbers in exclusive showings over the weekend. Sundance ’18 debut Madeline’s Madeline by Josephine Decker grossed $20,225 in the three-day from its playdate at the Quad Cinemas in New York via Oscilloscope, while fellow Sundancer Skate Kitchen by Crystal Moselle opened at IFC Center via Magnolia Pictures for a $17K in the three-day estimate.
Well Go USA launched Chinese dramedy The Island by Huang Bo in 40 locations Friday, the widest of the weekend’s new specialty releases. The Island grossed $282,500, also the highest absolute gross among the newcomers. Well Go USA also opened Erik Matti’s action-thriller, BayBust in 25 theaters, grossing $75K ($3K average).
Last weekend’s number one debut, The Miseducation of Cameron Post from FilmRise expanded to 25 runs in its second frame, grossing $108K. Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days from Well Go USA went down to 36 theaters from its...
Well Go USA launched Chinese dramedy The Island by Huang Bo in 40 locations Friday, the widest of the weekend’s new specialty releases. The Island grossed $282,500, also the highest absolute gross among the newcomers. Well Go USA also opened Erik Matti’s action-thriller, BayBust in 25 theaters, grossing $75K ($3K average).
Last weekend’s number one debut, The Miseducation of Cameron Post from FilmRise expanded to 25 runs in its second frame, grossing $108K. Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days from Well Go USA went down to 36 theaters from its...
- 8/12/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Mission: Impossible – Fallout climbs to $275.6m international, $437.6m worldwide.
August 13 Update: The Meg took a tasty bite out of global box office in its launch weekend, gliding to the top of the international pile with a confirmed $101.5m international launch from 42 territories fired up by $50.7m in China.
Elsewhere, Incredibles 2 is days away from crossing $500m in the international arena, Mission: Impossible – Fallout reached $275.6m, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again climbed to $177m, and El Angel scored the highest debut for a local production in Argentina.
Warner Bros Pictures International
Update: Factoring in the $45.3m number one North American launch,...
August 13 Update: The Meg took a tasty bite out of global box office in its launch weekend, gliding to the top of the international pile with a confirmed $101.5m international launch from 42 territories fired up by $50.7m in China.
Elsewhere, Incredibles 2 is days away from crossing $500m in the international arena, Mission: Impossible – Fallout reached $275.6m, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again climbed to $177m, and El Angel scored the highest debut for a local production in Argentina.
Warner Bros Pictures International
Update: Factoring in the $45.3m number one North American launch,...
- 8/12/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Mission: Impossible – Fallout climbs to $275.6m international, $437.6m worldwide.
The Meg took a tasty bite out of global box office in its launch weekend, gliding to the top of the pile with an estimated $97m international launch from 42 territories fired up by $50.3m in China.
Elsewhere, Incredibles 2 is days away from crossing $500m in the international arena, Mission: Impossible – Fallout reached $275.6m, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again climbed to $177m, and El Angel scored the highest debut for a local production in Argentina.
Warner Bros Pictures International
Factoring in the $44.5m number one North American launch, the giant...
The Meg took a tasty bite out of global box office in its launch weekend, gliding to the top of the pile with an estimated $97m international launch from 42 territories fired up by $50.3m in China.
Elsewhere, Incredibles 2 is days away from crossing $500m in the international arena, Mission: Impossible – Fallout reached $275.6m, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again climbed to $177m, and El Angel scored the highest debut for a local production in Argentina.
Warner Bros Pictures International
Factoring in the $44.5m number one North American launch, the giant...
- 8/12/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
“Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days” broke multiple records in Korea. It kept international hit “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” in second place.
The second part of Lotte’s “Along with the Gods” series, was released on Wednesday, when it scored a record $8.79 million for an opening day. In five days, the Kim Yong-hwa-directed fantasy accumulated $46.2 million from 6.2 million admissions.
Over the weekend “Gods” played on a massive 2,235 screens. It earned $29.9 million, accounting for 71% of total box office.
Released last year, the first part of “Gods” sold 14.4 million tickets. It had a final box office of $103 million.
“Mission: Impossible,” distributed locally by Lotte, tumbled 64%. It earned $6.78 million between Friday and Sunday for a cumulative total of $41.4 million since its July 25 release.
A trio of animated features, “Hello Carbot the Movie: The Cretaceous Period,” “Incredibles 2” and “The Haunted House: The Secret of the Cave,” took third to fifth places, respectively.
The second part of Lotte’s “Along with the Gods” series, was released on Wednesday, when it scored a record $8.79 million for an opening day. In five days, the Kim Yong-hwa-directed fantasy accumulated $46.2 million from 6.2 million admissions.
Over the weekend “Gods” played on a massive 2,235 screens. It earned $29.9 million, accounting for 71% of total box office.
Released last year, the first part of “Gods” sold 14.4 million tickets. It had a final box office of $103 million.
“Mission: Impossible,” distributed locally by Lotte, tumbled 64%. It earned $6.78 million between Friday and Sunday for a cumulative total of $41.4 million since its July 25 release.
A trio of animated features, “Hello Carbot the Movie: The Cretaceous Period,” “Incredibles 2” and “The Haunted House: The Secret of the Cave,” took third to fifth places, respectively.
- 8/6/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount action thriller overcomes China’s Hello Mr. Billionaire to rule weekend session.
Scoring a string of opening weekend records, Mission: Impossible Falloutsurged past $200m at the international box office to ensure Tom Cruise stayed top of the pile to beat the $64.5m haul by Hello Mr. Billionaire in the Chinese comedy’s second weekend.
Paramount Pictures International
Now on $205m, the action spy thriller is tracking roughly 53% ahead of Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation for the same group of markets at the same stage. The global tally stands at $329.5m.
In a string of number one debuts, the film...
Scoring a string of opening weekend records, Mission: Impossible Falloutsurged past $200m at the international box office to ensure Tom Cruise stayed top of the pile to beat the $64.5m haul by Hello Mr. Billionaire in the Chinese comedy’s second weekend.
Paramount Pictures International
Now on $205m, the action spy thriller is tracking roughly 53% ahead of Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation for the same group of markets at the same stage. The global tally stands at $329.5m.
In a string of number one debuts, the film...
- 8/5/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sunday Update, Writethru: Tom Cruise ruled the international box office this weekend as Paramount Pictures/Skydance’s Mission: Impossible – Fallout took the No. 1 spot with $76M in 56 markets. That hikes the overseas total to an estimated $205M through Sunday, and the global cume to $329.5M. At the same stage of play and in like-for-like markets, Fallout is 21% ahead of Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
The drop from the record-breaking opening last session — when China’s Hello Mr Billionaire was nevertheless the top film internationally — was 53%. The Middle Kingdom will welcome Fallout on August 31, and is expected to play a sizable role in just how high the global gross goes with $800M worldwide not out of the question. As it did with Rogue Nation, Alibaba Pictures has a stake here and that last film set China records during its release.
Sticking with this frame, however, there were 20 additional markets getting in on the action including France,...
The drop from the record-breaking opening last session — when China’s Hello Mr Billionaire was nevertheless the top film internationally — was 53%. The Middle Kingdom will welcome Fallout on August 31, and is expected to play a sizable role in just how high the global gross goes with $800M worldwide not out of the question. As it did with Rogue Nation, Alibaba Pictures has a stake here and that last film set China records during its release.
Sticking with this frame, however, there were 20 additional markets getting in on the action including France,...
- 8/5/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
“Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds”, which was released at the tail end of last year, went on the become the most successful film of 2017 in South Korea and eventually became the 2nd highest grossing Korean film of all time in the domestic market. Director Kim Yong-hwa is back with the follow-up “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days”.
Plot details are thin at the moment, but the film is said to be set 100 years before the events of “Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds”. Joining returning stars Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Gyang-gi and Lee Jae-hoon is in-demand actor Ma Dong-seok.
”Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days” is slated for an August 1st, 2018 release in South Korea.
Plot details are thin at the moment, but the film is said to be set 100 years before the events of “Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds”. Joining returning stars Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Gyang-gi and Lee Jae-hoon is in-demand actor Ma Dong-seok.
”Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days” is slated for an August 1st, 2018 release in South Korea.
- 6/30/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
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