Robert Pattinson, Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Mickey 17’ Rules Korean Box Office
The South Korean box office experienced a seismic shift this weekend as “Mickey 17” claimed the top spot with a commanding $6.6 million debut, capturing 69.06% of the market share.
The sci-fi film, directed by Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson, not only outpaced all competitors but also set a new high for 2025, surpassing the opening of “Captain America: Brave New World.” According to Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council, the weekend of Feb. 28-March 2 saw the top 10 films earn a total of $9 million, a significant boost from the previous weekend’s $4.4 million.
“Mickey 17,” which follows a ‘reprinted’ worker (Pattinson) on a distant planet colony tasked with dangerous jobs that no one else will do, attracted 980,549 admissions over the weekend across 2,153 screens. Warner Bros. reported a four-day opening total of KRW12.9 billion ($9 million), benefiting from a non-traditional Friday release and the Monday Independence Day Movement holiday. Imax screenings contributed 9% of the weekend’s gross.
In second place, “Captain America: Brave New World” brought in $721,841, accounting for 7.47% of the weekend’s market share. The Marvel blockbuster, which follows Sam Wilson’s journey as the new Captain America, saw a significant drop from last weekend but managed to draw 110,888 viewers. The film’s cumulative earnings have now reached $10.5 million.
Korean horror “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning” held its ground in third place with $568,718, securing 5.88% of the market share. The film has now grossed $1.7 million.
Debuting in fourth, romantic drama “It’s Okay!” earned $186,691 with 29,779 admissions. The film, directed by Kim Hye-young, follows high school student In-young, portrayed by Lee Re, who loses her mother in a car accident and navigates life afterward. It won best film at the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus strand in 2024. The film has a cumulative total of $337,276.
“Paddington in Peru” rounded out the top five with $159,116, bringing its cumulative total to $571,143. “You Are the Apple of My Eye,” a South Korean remake of the 2011 Taiwanese hit, took sixth place with $151,499, making up 1.56% of the market share. The coming-of-age romance has now earned $826,449.
In seventh, “Cheer Up, Korea!” debuted with $118,067 and 18,124 admissions. The patriotic documentary has earned a cumulative total of $144,541. Japanese romantic drama “1st Kiss” made its debut in eighth place with $85,423, reaching a cumulative total of $154,667.
Bob Dyland biopic “A Complete Unknown” took ninth place with $106,367. The film has now earned $224,506.
Rounding out the top 10, Korean concert documentary “Lee Chan-won Concert Anthem: Dear My Chance” earned $255,785, bringing its cumulative total to $517,422.
