‘If We’ Continues Box Office Reign, Nears 1.6 Million Viewers in South Korea
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A poignant love story starring Koo Kyo-hwan and Moon Ga-young, If We, has dominated the South Korean box office for two consecutive weeks, attracting a cumulative audience of 1,573,843 as of Sunday, February 18th. The film’s sustained success raises the possibility of reaching the 2 million viewer milestone.
A Romantic Drama Captivates Audiences
If We, directed by Kim Do-young and produced by Covenant Pictures, secured the top spot at the box office this past weekend, February 16th-18th, with 316,411 admissions, according to data from the integrated movie theater ticket network. Initially released on January 31st, the film briefly yielded to Avatar: Fire and Ashes in its first week, but quickly rebounded to claim and maintain the number one position.
The film is a remake of the Chinese movie In the Long Future, We, and centers on the passionate relationship between Eun-ho and Jeong-won, two young people who meet on a bus to their hometown. The narrative unfolds their vibrant early romance, the challenges and separations brought on by pursuing their individual dreams, and a chance reunion more than a decade later, prompting reflection on their shared past. “The delicate acting of the two emotionally stimulating leads continues to lead audiences to choose,” a source close to the production noted.
‘Avatar’ Falls to Second, Faces Runtime Challenges
Despite a strong opening, James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ashes landed in second place this weekend, drawing 177,048 viewers. Since its release on January 17th, the film has amassed a total of 6,378,852 viewers. While the original Avatar (2009) and Avatar: Path of Water (2022) both surpassed 10 million admissions, this installment is experiencing a slower climb.
One analyst suggested that the film’s lengthy runtime – 3 hours and 17 minutes – may be hindering its ability to attract a wider audience, despite initial strong interest.
Diverse Films Round Out the Top Five
Rounding out the top five were:
- God’s Orchestra (3rd place): 114,844 viewers this weekend, with a cumulative total of 435,895 since its January 31st release. The film depicts a satirical story of North Korea creating a fabricated praise group for financial gain.
- Mysterious Apartment 10th Anniversary Theatrical Version: One More Time, Summoned (4th place): 114,278 viewers this weekend, bringing its total to 160,085. This animated feature originated as a popular TV series in 2016.
- Heartman, starring Kwon Sang-woo (5th place): 107,198 viewers this weekend, with a cumulative audience of 158,228. This comedy offers a lighter fare option for moviegoers.
The continued success of If We demonstrates the enduring appeal of compelling character-driven stories in the South Korean film market. The film’s trajectory suggests it could become a significant box office success, potentially exceeding 2 million viewers in the coming weeks.
