As BTS member Jung Kook has drawn attention by sharing his experience of watching the movie 'HOPE' alone, interest is growing over whether the so-called "Jung Kook effect" will work its magic once again.

On the afternoon of July 27, Jung Kook posted his review on his social media along with the message, "'HOPE' is great." He shared that he watched the film in 4DX, saying, "The reactions seem a bit mixed, but I really enjoyed it." He continued to shower the film with praise, adding, "There are so many chaotic and fun parts, and I found myself clenching my fists while watching. The vividness and sense of speed are insane."

Jung Kook also mentioned that this outing was a solo movie trip, often referred to in Korea as "honyoung." He expressed that going to the movies alone is an exciting and enjoyable experience, adding that he would like to enjoy solo movie nights more often in the future.

As soon as Jung Kook's post became known, director Na Hong-jin, who helmed 'HOPE', immediately reposted it on his Instagram story to express his delight. Fans who saw this have also been reacting by saying they want to go see the movie based on Jung Kook's recommendation.

This is not the first time that a single mention by Jung Kook has instantly driven consumer trends.

In February 2023, a beer glass he used during a personal live broadcast sold out on online shopping malls amid a surge of orders. Since then, items he used or mentioned have consecutively drawn massive attention, coining the term "Jung Kook effect." Given this precedent, the industry is closely watching whether his review of 'HOPE' will extend beyond the fandom and lead to an actual influx of moviegoers.

'HOPE' tells the story of Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min), the head of a local office near Hopohang Port close to the Demilitarized Zone, as he faces events that unfold after receiving news of a mysterious entity appearing in the village. Starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon, the new film by director Na Hong-jin was also invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing computer network on July 27, 'HOPE' has maintained its position at number one in the weekend box office for two consecutive weeks since its release. Its cumulative audience surpassed 3 million as of last weekend, cruising smoothly toward the 4-million mark. However, its second-week weekend audience dropped by more than half compared to its opening weekend. With 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' slated for release on July 29, attention is focused on whether Jung Kook's mention can serve as a card to sustain its box office momentum.

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon, SBS Entertainment News)