Korea Box Office: ‘The Odyssey’ Secures Sixth Weekend Crown as ‘Obsession’ Ascends
Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey secured its sixth straight weekend at the top of the South Korean box office, pulling in $3.9 million and 51.4% of the market share. While Obsession climbed to second place, other domestic and international releases filled the top ten, reflecting a diverse cinem…
For the sixth consecutive weekend, Christopher Nolan’s epic adventure The Odyssey dominated the South Korean box office, drawing 449,474 moviegoers across 1,648 screens and generating $3.9 million during the September 11–13 period. According to data from KOBIS, the Korean Film Council’s tracking service, the film captured 51.4% of the weekend’s total market share and pushed its cumulative domestic gross past the $89 million mark, with 10,782,715 admissions since its August 5 opening.
Obsession Climbs to Second Place
In the second week of release, the Korean thriller Obsession moved into the number two spot. The film earned $1.4 million from 176,479 viewers across 845 screens, representing 18.6% of the market. Its cumulative gross now stands at $3.7 million from 474,818 admissions, underscoring the domestic audience’s appetite for tense, character‑driven narratives.
Other Major Releases in the Top Ten
Superhero fanfare continued with Spider‑Man: Brand New Day, which secured third place in its seventh weekend, pulling in $544,123 from 84,719 tickets and accounting for 7% of the weekend’s box office. The film’s local gross reached $68.7 million from 8,930,413 admissions, a testament to the franchise’s enduring popularity in Korea.
Fourth place was taken by the domestic drama The Drama, which opened on September 9 and earned $223,340 from 29,512 admissions over the three‑day window. Its cumulative total now stands at $404,575 from 53,631 viewers, reflecting steady interest in Korean melodrama.
Family‑friendly road‑trip drama The Journey to Gyeongju slipped into fifth place, earning $124,071 from 17,206 admissions. Directed by Kim Mi‑jo and featuring a star‑studded cast that includes Lee Jung‑eun, Gong Hyo‑jin, Park So‑dam, Lee Yeon, and Byun Yo‑han, the film has accumulated $2.3 million from 332,960 viewers, showcasing the Korean market’s appetite for heartfelt, generational stories.
Sixth place was claimed by the musical romance Power Ballad, which added $110,283 from 15,277 admissions. Since its September 2 debut, the film has collected $633,484 from 89,399 tickets, illustrating the genre’s steady draw among younger audiences.
In the seventh spot, the sci‑fi thriller Hope re‑entered the top ten, bringing in $125,591 from 14,719 admissions. Directed by Na Hong‑Jin and featuring international stars Hwang Jung‑min, Zo In‑sung, Jung Ho‑yeon, Michael Fassbender, and Alicia Vikander, the film has amassed $36.2 million from 4,566,216 ticket buyers, indicating a strong cross‑border appeal.
Japanese anime classic Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time entered the chart in eighth place, earning $89,975 from 10,935 admissions across 129 screens. Its cumulative total now stands at $159,850 from 19,829 viewers, highlighting the enduring popularity of Toho’s beloved franchise in Korea.
Seventh‑place domestic crime drama Portrait of a Family finished with $66,614 from 9,752 admissions. The film, directed by Lee Ji‑won and starring Ryu Seung‑ryong and Ha Ji‑won, has accumulated $652,858 from 97,145 viewers, underscoring the Korean audience’s interest in complex, character‑driven narratives that blend glamour with mystery.
Finally, the upcoming animated adventure Forgotten Island rounded out the top ten, pulling in $70,125 from 9,314 admissions during early festival and special preview screenings. Its pre‑release total now reaches $88,051 from 11,772 viewers, setting the stage for a wide launch on September 23.
Across the board, the overall market collective gross for the weekend was $7.6 million, a decline from last week’s $9.8 million. The dip reflects a broader trend of softer weekend turnout as the Korean film season moves into the autumn months.
What’s Next for the Korean Box Office?
As the summer draws to a close, the Korean box office will continue to be shaped by a mix of domestic blockbusters and international releases. The sustained success of The Odyssey demonstrates the market’s readiness for high‑budget, globally resonant films, while the steady performance of Korean dramas and thrillers shows that local content remains a strong contender. Fans can expect further releases from both domestic and international studios in the coming weeks, with the market poised to rebound as new titles hit screens.
Why it matters
The box office standings reveal shifting audience preferences and the commercial viability of both domestic and international films in South Korea, offering insight for distributors, exhibitors, and filmmakers.
Key points
- The Odyssey remains number one for six weeks, earning $3.9 million this weekend
- Obsession moves to second place with $1.4 million
- Spider‑Man: Brand New Day stays strong in third place
- Domestic dramas and thrillers occupy key positions in the top ten
- Overall weekend gross dipped to $7.6 million from $9.8 million last week
Frequently asked questions
How many admissions did The Odyssey have this weekend?
The film attracted 449,474 admissions over the three‑day period.
What is the total gross of Obsession in South Korea?
Obsession has earned $3.7 million from 474,818 admissions since its release.
