'HOPE' Explodes at the Box Office: Hits 570,000 Pre-sales, Setting a New Record for the Year

Director Na Hong-jin's new film "HOPE" has signaled a massive box office hit, surpassing 570,000 pre-sale tickets on its release day.

According to the Korean Film Council's reservation data on the 15th, "HOPE" holds the number one spot in both categories with a 67.1% reservation rate and 570,000 tickets sold. It is the first film released in 2026, whether domestic or foreign, to surpass 500,000 pre-sale tickets.

This momentum is reminiscent of the scenes seen when Korean tentpole films dominated the summer market before COVID-19. The anticipation for Director Na Hong-jin's new work, combined with the star-studded cast including Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon, along with the addition of Hollywood actors, is driving audiences to theaters. The intense local reaction following its screening in the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival last May has also sent curiosity about the film skyrocketing.

"HOPE" is an SF genre film, a category that has not previously shown explosive commercial power in Korea. While it is classified as SF because it features aliens, it is, more accurately, an action film. It is garnering attention as a work that delivers a level of thrill and adrenaline never before seen in Korean cinema, showcasing the essence of a "theater-going film."

Director Na Hong-jin, along with Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon, will be meeting with audiences by touring stages in Seoul and the provinces starting today (the 15th) through the third week of release.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)