K-occult film "Exhuma" garners 2 million theatergoers within four days; "Dune: Part Two" leads charts with a 46.3% ticket reservation rate

Courtesy of Showbox

In a noteworthy turn of events, South Korean theaters are experiencing a substantial uptick in attendance during February, driven by the releases of two highly anticipated films: "Exhuma" by renowned K-occult genre director Jang Jae-hyun and the global sci-fi blockbuster sequel "Dune: Part Two." 

▲ “Exhuma” / Courtesy of Showbox

According to data from the Korean Film Council, "Exhuma" achieved an impressive milestone by attracting 2 million theatergoers within the first four days of its release on February 22. This pace outpaces the performance of the 2023 hit film "12.12: The Day," reaching the 1 million admissions mark a day earlier than its predecessor. With a production cost of 1.4 billion won ($1 million), "Exhuma" is on track to reach the breakeven point of 3.3 million admissions.

"Exhuma," Jang Jae-hyun's first work in five years, revolves around the story of Sang-deok (Choi Min-sik), tasked with relocating a tomb with the assistance of undertaker Young-geun (Yoo Hae-jin). Young exorcists Hwa-rim (Kim Go-eun) and Bong-gil (Lee Do-hyun) become entangled in a supernatural phenomenon revealing a dark omen connected to a wealthy Los Angeles family. Notably, this marks veteran actor Choi Min-sik's first foray into the occult genre in his 35-year acting career.

▲ “Dune: Part Two” / Courtesy of Warner Bros.Simultaneously, "Dune: Part Two," the sequel to Denis Villeneuve's 2021 film "Dune," is generating substantial buzz ahead of its release on Wednesday. The movie currently leads the charts with a notable 46.3% ticket reservation rate. Last week, main cast members including Timothee Chalamet, director Villeneuve, Zendaya, Austin Butler, and Stellan Skarsgard visited Seoul for a press conference and engaged with fans at a red-carpet event at Yeongdeungpo CGV. "Dune: Part Two" follows the story of Paul (Timothee Chalamet), the outcast heir to the throne of House Atreides, navigating revenge and a messianic role with potential consequences for the entire galaxy. The first installment, "Dune," attracted 1.64 million moviegoers in South Korea in 2021.

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Kang In sig, insig6622@naver.com