The box office landscape, long dominated by Hollywood blockbusters, may shift with the arrival of Chuseok. As the ten-million-viewer films 'Odyssey' and 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' continue to hold strong, Korean films are stepping up with diverse genres to attract audiences.
The film 'Intern,' which premiered on September 16, has warmed up the audience with its heartwarming humor, igniting the spark for box office success. On September 23, the heavy historical drama 'Assassins' and the concluding installment of the crime entertainment franchise 'Tazza: Song of Belphegor' will hit theaters, marking the start of a fierce box office competition.
◆ A Generational Office Life in 'Intern'
The first film to kick off the holiday competition is 'Intern,' currently showing. This film is a perfect reinterpretation of the Hollywood classic of the same name, which was released in 2015 and has been regarded as a life-changing film by Korean audiences. It tells the story of 'Sunwoo' (played by Han So-hee), a young CEO who has rapidly risen in the fashion industry within three years of starting her company, and 'Gi-ho' (played by Choi Min-sik), a veteran intern with 37 years of experience who joins her firm after retiring from his lifelong job. The film explores their generational office life.
The fresh ensemble of legendary actor Choi Min-sik and rising star Han So-hee anchors the film. Their journey of sharing perspectives and experiences, despite being polar opposites, offers a touching emotional experience. The strong supporting cast, including Kim Jun-han, Ryu Hye-young, Kim Geum-soon, Park Ye-ni, and Lim Seong-kyun, brings to life the authentic portrayal of K-workers, creating a rich ensemble. Director Kim Do-young, known for his exceptional empathy in previous works like 'Kim Ji-young, Born 1982' and 'If We,' maintains the original's warm healing tone while cleverly incorporating Korean workplace culture and the language of the MZ generation. The film delivers a heartfelt message of support to all generations struggling with work, dreams, and relationships, resonating with family audiences during the holiday season.
◆ A High-Stakes Mystery in 'Assassins'
Set to release on September 23, 'Assassins' is a high-density mystery thriller that investigates the suspicions and behind-the-scenes events surrounding the shocking assassination of the First Lady on August 15, 1974, in South Korea. The film follows 'Cheol-gu' (played by Yoo Hae-jin), a detective responsible for on-site security, 'Jae-hwan' (played by Park Hae-il), the head of the social department at a newspaper, and 'Young-il' (played by Lee Min-ho), a rookie reporter, as they delve into the mystery of two gunshots that disappeared from official records amidst the six shots fired. The film weaves a tightly packed narrative filled with tension, showcasing the delicate direction of Heo Jin-ho and the powerful performances of South Korea's leading actors as they pursue the truth.
Notably, the film is produced by Hive Media Corp, known for 'The Spring of Seoul' and 'The Outlaws,' and features a top-notch crew, including cinematographer Im Mo-gae and art director Kim Byeong-han, who vividly recreate the atmosphere of 1974, maximizing realism. Thanks to its high production quality, 'Assassins' has been officially invited to the Gala section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, receiving early recognition for its artistic merit. According to the integrated ticket sales network, 'Assassins' topped the pre-release weekend ticket reservation rate, signaling a strong box office performance and breaking the 64-day streak of foreign films dominating the market, reflecting the high expectations of audiences eager for a well-made suspense film.
◆ The Final Chapter of 'Tazza: Song of Belphegor'
Also set to release on September 23, 'Tazza: Song of Belphegor' aims to reaffirm the box office success formula of 'Tazza during Chuseok.' This film adapts the fourth part of the original comic by artist Heo Young-man, which fans consider the best segment, marking the 20th anniversary of the series' screen debut with a grand finale. It depicts a fierce revenge drama between Jang Tae-young (played by Byeon Yo-han), who thought he had it all through an online casino business, and his best friend Park Tae-young (played by Noh Jae-won), who took everything from him, as they meet again on the brink of a global gambling showdown. The film highlights the intense rivalry between two friends with the same name but different fates, while director Choi Kook-hee delves deeply into human nature and desire.
This installment is the first in the franchise to conduct global filming across South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, significantly expanding the scope of the story. Global actors such as Miyoshi Ayaka, Ihara Tsuyoshi, and Hong Dao join trusted actors like Jo Woo-jin and Yoon Kyung-ho, creating explosive synergy. Notably, all gambling scenes have been meticulously designed under the supervision of professional poker players to maximize realism. 'Tazza: Song of Belphegor' promises the thrill of a pure crime entertainment film, showing a rapid increase in ticket reservations and forming a strong two-horse race with 'Assassins' for box office success.
As long-running foreign blockbusters continue to heat up the box office, Korean films with distinct genre strengths are gearing up to welcome holiday audiences. With a perfect blend of empathy, healing, intense suspense, and refreshing entertainment, the release of these new films is drawing attention to whether they can bring a significant and warm box office wind this Chuseok.
The film 'Intern,' which premiered on September 16, has warmed up the audience with its heartwarming humor, igniting the spark for box office success. On September 23, the heavy historical drama 'Assassins' and the concluding installment of the crime entertainment franchise 'Tazza: Song of Belphegor' will hit theaters, marking the start of a fierce box office competition.
◆ A Generational Office Life in 'Intern'
The first film to kick off the holiday competition is 'Intern,' currently showing. This film is a perfect reinterpretation of the Hollywood classic of the same name, which was released in 2015 and has been regarded as a life-changing film by Korean audiences. It tells the story of 'Sunwoo' (played by Han So-hee), a young CEO who has rapidly risen in the fashion industry within three years of starting her company, and 'Gi-ho' (played by Choi Min-sik), a veteran intern with 37 years of experience who joins her firm after retiring from his lifelong job. The film explores their generational office life.
The fresh ensemble of legendary actor Choi Min-sik and rising star Han So-hee anchors the film. Their journey of sharing perspectives and experiences, despite being polar opposites, offers a touching emotional experience. The strong supporting cast, including Kim Jun-han, Ryu Hye-young, Kim Geum-soon, Park Ye-ni, and Lim Seong-kyun, brings to life the authentic portrayal of K-workers, creating a rich ensemble. Director Kim Do-young, known for his exceptional empathy in previous works like 'Kim Ji-young, Born 1982' and 'If We,' maintains the original's warm healing tone while cleverly incorporating Korean workplace culture and the language of the MZ generation. The film delivers a heartfelt message of support to all generations struggling with work, dreams, and relationships, resonating with family audiences during the holiday season.
◆ A High-Stakes Mystery in 'Assassins'
Set to release on September 23, 'Assassins' is a high-density mystery thriller that investigates the suspicions and behind-the-scenes events surrounding the shocking assassination of the First Lady on August 15, 1974, in South Korea. The film follows 'Cheol-gu' (played by Yoo Hae-jin), a detective responsible for on-site security, 'Jae-hwan' (played by Park Hae-il), the head of the social department at a newspaper, and 'Young-il' (played by Lee Min-ho), a rookie reporter, as they delve into the mystery of two gunshots that disappeared from official records amidst the six shots fired. The film weaves a tightly packed narrative filled with tension, showcasing the delicate direction of Heo Jin-ho and the powerful performances of South Korea's leading actors as they pursue the truth.
Notably, the film is produced by Hive Media Corp, known for 'The Spring of Seoul' and 'The Outlaws,' and features a top-notch crew, including cinematographer Im Mo-gae and art director Kim Byeong-han, who vividly recreate the atmosphere of 1974, maximizing realism. Thanks to its high production quality, 'Assassins' has been officially invited to the Gala section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, receiving early recognition for its artistic merit. According to the integrated ticket sales network, 'Assassins' topped the pre-release weekend ticket reservation rate, signaling a strong box office performance and breaking the 64-day streak of foreign films dominating the market, reflecting the high expectations of audiences eager for a well-made suspense film.
◆ The Final Chapter of 'Tazza: Song of Belphegor'
Also set to release on September 23, 'Tazza: Song of Belphegor' aims to reaffirm the box office success formula of 'Tazza during Chuseok.' This film adapts the fourth part of the original comic by artist Heo Young-man, which fans consider the best segment, marking the 20th anniversary of the series' screen debut with a grand finale. It depicts a fierce revenge drama between Jang Tae-young (played by Byeon Yo-han), who thought he had it all through an online casino business, and his best friend Park Tae-young (played by Noh Jae-won), who took everything from him, as they meet again on the brink of a global gambling showdown. The film highlights the intense rivalry between two friends with the same name but different fates, while director Choi Kook-hee delves deeply into human nature and desire.
This installment is the first in the franchise to conduct global filming across South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, significantly expanding the scope of the story. Global actors such as Miyoshi Ayaka, Ihara Tsuyoshi, and Hong Dao join trusted actors like Jo Woo-jin and Yoon Kyung-ho, creating explosive synergy. Notably, all gambling scenes have been meticulously designed under the supervision of professional poker players to maximize realism. 'Tazza: Song of Belphegor' promises the thrill of a pure crime entertainment film, showing a rapid increase in ticket reservations and forming a strong two-horse race with 'Assassins' for box office success.
As long-running foreign blockbusters continue to heat up the box office, Korean films with distinct genre strengths are gearing up to welcome holiday audiences. With a perfect blend of empathy, healing, intense suspense, and refreshing entertainment, the release of these new films is drawing attention to whether they can bring a significant and warm box office wind this Chuseok.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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