The Japanese animated film "Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island" surpassed "The Assassin(s)" in its second week of release to claim the top spot at the weekend box office.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie tickets on October 12, "Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island" drew 407,895 viewers nationwide from October 9 to October 11. The cumulative audience reached 1,281,485.

Released on September 30, "Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island" placed second at the box office behind "The Assassin(s)" by a margin of about 7,000 viewers in its opening weekend. However, in its second week, it successfully climbed to No. 1 by edging out "The Assassin(s)" by a margin of 215 viewers.

"Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island" is an animated film depicting a suspicious subjugation mission in which Chiikawa and friends, tempted by a sweet offer of 100 times the usual reward, set off for an unknown island to uncover the secrets hidden there. It is based on the popular long-form "Siren" arc from "Chiikawa," serialized by Japanese illustrator Nagano.

Meanwhile, "The Assassin(s)" drew 405,966 viewers over the same period, finishing its fourth weekend at the box office in second place.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)