SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - A slew of South Korean films are set to compete during the peak box-office season of Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving, which begins later this month.
The lineup ranges from an office drama to a historical mystery and the final installment of a long-running crime series, setting up a three-way race at the box office, which has recently been dominated by foreign big-budget films such as Hollywood's epic saga "Odyssey" and the latest installment of the American superhero franchise "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."
"Odyssey," directed by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan, has attracted more than 10 million moviegoers in South Korea in about a month since its release on Aug. 5, becoming the first foreign film this year to reach the milestone. Meanwhile, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has continued to draw large crowds, trailing closely behind.
The first to arrive is "Intern," starring veteran actor Choi Min-sik and actress Han So-hee, which hits local theaters next Wednesday. The 132-minute comedy is the South Korean version adapted from Hollywood's 2015 hit film of the same name, starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. It revolves around a young fashion company CEO and an older intern whose decades of work experience create an unexpected work chemistry.
The other two movies are scheduled to be released on Sept. 23, just a day before the long holiday weekend begins.
"Assassin(s)" is a thriller based on the historical incident involving the attempted assassination of South Korean strongman Park Chung-hee's wife and first lady Yuk Young-soo on Aug. 15, 1974. It stars actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, who portray characters who pursue the truth behind the incident from different perspectives.
"Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" is the fourth and final film in the long-running "Tazza" series. It tells the story of two longtime friends drawn into an online casino business and a high-stakes revenge plot.
The lineup ranges from an office drama to a historical mystery and the final installment of a long-running crime series, setting up a three-way race at the box office, which has recently been dominated by foreign big-budget films such as Hollywood's epic saga "Odyssey" and the latest installment of the American superhero franchise "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."
"Odyssey," directed by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan, has attracted more than 10 million moviegoers in South Korea in about a month since its release on Aug. 5, becoming the first foreign film this year to reach the milestone. Meanwhile, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has continued to draw large crowds, trailing closely behind.
The first to arrive is "Intern," starring veteran actor Choi Min-sik and actress Han So-hee, which hits local theaters next Wednesday. The 132-minute comedy is the South Korean version adapted from Hollywood's 2015 hit film of the same name, starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. It revolves around a young fashion company CEO and an older intern whose decades of work experience create an unexpected work chemistry.
The other two movies are scheduled to be released on Sept. 23, just a day before the long holiday weekend begins.
"Assassin(s)" is a thriller based on the historical incident involving the attempted assassination of South Korean strongman Park Chung-hee's wife and first lady Yuk Young-soo on Aug. 15, 1974. It stars actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, who portray characters who pursue the truth behind the incident from different perspectives.
"Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" is the fourth and final film in the long-running "Tazza" series. It tells the story of two longtime friends drawn into an online casino business and a high-stakes revenge plot.
With these three films set for release in time for Chuseok, it remains to be seen whether they can end the monthlong reign of the two Hollywood films currently dominating the box office and which one will come out on top.
AJP Takeaways
- Three South Korean films, "Intern," "Assassin(s)," and "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub," are set for release during the Chuseok 2026 box-office season.
- The films offer different genres: comedy, historical thriller, and crime drama, creating a three-way box-office race.
- They will challenge Hollywood hits "Odyssey" and "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which currently dominate South Korea's box office.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.