The film 'Choir of God' pulled off a miracle, crossing 1 million admissions nationwide in its fifth week in theaters.
According to distributor CJ CGV, 'Choir of God' surpassed a cumulative 1 million moviegoers this morning (the 5th), based on the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office database. That milestone comes amid fierce competition with Hollywood blockbusters boasting massive global fandoms like 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' and 'Zootopia 2.'
With the downturn in Korean cinema dragging on, even hitting 1 million has become rare. 'Choir of God' had a break-even point of 700,000 admissions, so it has already exceeded its initial target.
The movie opened on a relatively small number of screens. Fueled purely by passionate word of mouth, it climbed the box office charts with a dramatic arc―from No. 5 all the way to No. 1.
Since release, 'Choir of God' set a stunning record: No. 1 weekend seat occupancy rate for four consecutive weeks, powering an against-the-odds rebound. Before it opened, few paid attention to the film itself; buzz centered more on the fact that it was lead actor Park Si-hoo’s comeback following a personal controversy.
The film’s premise―about a North Korean security officer who forms a fake praise troupe―paired with rousing music sparked strong audience reactions. Despite having fewer screens, high satisfaction among actual viewers spread through organic word of mouth, leading to wider theatrical expansion and a surge in advance ticket sales.
Having cleared its break-even point early, 'Choir of God' is now racing past the 1 million mark toward an even higher goal.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)