Five domestic and international films are opening in succession ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, setting the stage for an intense box office battle. Korean productions boast a diverse lineup spanning faction historical drama, action, and human drama, all infused with themes of humanity. International releases are targeting art-house audiences with reinterpretations of classic novels. With the film industry in an overall slump, the wave of releases offering audiences rich viewing choices is raising hopes for a long-awaited recovery in the movie market.
"The Man Who Lives With the King," released on January 4, has drawn 1.28 million viewers as of the afternoon of January 12, signaling a box office hit. The film adds cinematic imagination to the story of King Danjong during his seven months in exile at Cheongnyeongpo in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, after his dethronement and before his death. Critics say its emotional moments of tears and laughter have struck a chord with audiences. Park Ji-hoon plays King Danjong, while Yoo Hae-jin portrays village chief Eom Heung-do, who transcends class boundaries to protect and bond with the deposed king. "As a historical drama released after a long hiatus, there were both concerns and expectations, but the film's warm message seems to have resonated well," said Jo Su-bin, communications team leader at Showbox. The break-even point is 2.6 million viewers.
"Humint," directed by action master Ryoo Seung-wan, is a highly anticipated first-half release that drew 130,000 viewers on its opening day, January 11, getting off to a smooth start. Set in Vladivostok, the film depicts the collision between National Intelligence Service black ops agent Section Chief Jo (Jo In-sung), North Korean State Security Department team leader Park Geon (Park Jung-min), foreign currency earner Chae Sun-hwa (Shin Se-kyung), and North Korean Consul General Hwang Chi-sung (Park Hae-jun), each with different objectives, all captured on a grand cinematic scale. Critics note that director Ryoo has expanded the genre by combining his trademark spectacular action with a poignant romantic storyline between Chae Sun-hwa and Park Geon. "Watching 'Humint' during the holiday—a complete package film with action, romance, scale, acting, and direction—will be a choice without regrets," said Kim Min-ji, publicity and marketing team leader at NEW. The break-even point is 4 million viewers.
"Number One," also released on January 11, is drawing attention for its potential as a quiet hit. With a unique premise where son Ha-min (Choi Woo-shik) begins seeing numbers the moment he eats his mother's (Jang Hye-jin) cooking, the film gently portrays family love through the medium of home-cooked meals. "Among the holiday releases, we're confident this is a film that can deliver realistic empathy and emotional connection across all generations," said a representative from Meolikot, the film's publicity agency. The break-even point is 1.3 million viewers.
"Wuthering Heights," a reinterpretation of the classic novel of the same name, also hit screens on January 11. Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi), an orphan boy brought as a slave to "Wuthering Heights," an isolated manor in the bleak Yorkshire moors of England, falls into a fated love with the master's daughter Cathy (Margot Robbie), but they separate unable to overcome class differences. Five years later, the two reunite—but only after Cathy has become the wife of wealthy Edgar. The film has earned praise from international critics for its bold and sensual reinterpretation of the descent into catastrophe as the pair fall into a tempestuous love.
"The Count of Monte Cristo," meeting audiences on January 13, is based on Alexandre Dumas's novel of the same name. Set against a tumultuous era spanning Napoleon's fall, the Bourbon Restoration, the July Revolution, and the reign of Louis Philippe I—known as the "Citizen King"—the story follows a young man who loses everything after being falsely accused, only to return and deliver judgment on those who destroyed his life. The tale has been beloved by audiences worldwide, spawning numerous adaptations. This production boasts the largest budget of any film adaptation of "The Count of Monte Cristo," delivering a grand cinematic scale.