Director Bong Joon Ho’s highly anticipated sci-fi film Mickey 17 has soared to the top of advance ticket sales, signaling strong box office expectations.

According to the Korea Film Council’s integrated ticketing system, as of 9 a.m. on the 17th, Mickey 17 recorded a real-time reservation rate of 24.8%. A total of 44,109 tickets have been pre-sold, placing it 7.5 percentage points ahead of its closest competitor, Captain America: Brave New World, directed by Julius Onah.

The film is adapted from Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7, centering on a disposable worker named Mickey, whose consciousness is continuously transferred to new cloned bodies upon death. The narrative explores themes of identity, survival, and existential dilemma in a futuristic world.

This marks Bong Joon Ho’s first feature film in nearly five years since his Oscar-winning masterpiece Parasite, heightening expectations for his return to the big screen. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Robert Pattinson in the titular role, alongside Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, and Mark Ruffalo.

Industry experts predict a strong opening for Mickey 17, as Bong’s reputation for blending social commentary with genre storytelling has consistently attracted both critical acclaim and commercial success. His unique approach to storytelling, coupled with the film’s visually compelling premise, has generated significant buzz among global audiences.

Meanwhile, Mickey 17 is set for release in South Korea on the 28th, with international screenings to follow. With its impressive advance ticket sales, all eyes are on whether the film can replicate the groundbreaking success of Parasite.

Sayart / Sharon Jung, guhuijeong784@gmail.com