Shin Min-ah's 'Eyes', surpasses 1 million admissions just 16 days after release

Reaches 1 Million Viewers in Just 16 Days, a Reverse Run Syndrome in the Summer Box Office

The film 'The Eye' has surpassed 1 million cumulative viewers just 16 days after its release. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network data on the 9th, 'The Eye' hit the 1 million viewer milestone as of 2:30 PM that day. Having premiered on June 24, the film started at number 2 in the box office during its first week, but gained momentum through word-of-mouth in its second week. Notably, in the second week, it showed great strength by overtaking 'Toy Story 5,' which held the number 1 spot at the time.

By4M Studio announced the news of surpassing 1 million viewers through its official account, stating, "A special record created by all of you! Thank you sincerely." The production company defined this achievement as a "reverse run syndrome" in this summer's theater market. Currently, 'The Eye' is ranked 6th in the 2026 Korean film box office rankings.

Overwhelming Box Office Speed, Surpassing 'Noise' and 'Wild Thing'

This 1 million viewer milestone is even more striking when compared to previous hits. 'The Eye' reached the 1 million mark two days earlier than 'Noise,' which garnered attention as a genre film last summer. Furthermore, compared to this year's highly anticipated film 'Wild Thing,' which drew expectations with its star-studded cast including Kang Dong-won, Uhm Tae-gu, Park Ji-hyun, and Oh Jung-se, 'The Eye' was two days faster in reaching 1 million viewers.

The driving force behind the film's success lies in its solid narrative and the actors' performances. A suspense thriller depicting the process of the protagonist, Seo-jin, who is gradually losing her sight due to a genetic disease, as she investigates suspicions surrounding her twin brother's death, the film immersed audiences by delivering twists and tension within a limited field of vision. Through major theaters such as CGV and Lotte Cinema, audiences are pouring out reactions like, "The fear of losing sight was felt throughout my body," and "The actors' performances and the immersive development are impressive." In particular, Shin Min-ah's performance is cited as a key element that heightens the tension of the film, leading to many recommendations from viewers.

Director Yeom Ji-ho's Directing Skills and Acceleration into the Global Market

'The Eye' is the new work of director Yeom Ji-ho, who debuted with 'The Neighbor.' Praised for its outstanding mise-en-scène and meticulous screenplay structure, the film is gaining attention not only domestically but also on the world stage. Its artistic quality was recognized through an official invitation to the Panorama section of the competition at the 59th Sitges Film Festival, considered one of the world's largest genre film festivals.

The push into overseas markets has also begun in earnest. Following its release in the Philippines on June 25, it premiered in Singapore on July 2 and Mongolia on July 3, and is set to release in the North American market on the 10th. Following this, it plans to continue its sequential release into global markets spanning Asia and Europe, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, and Japan.

Suspense Thriller Starring Shin Min-ah and Kim Nam-hee: Will the Box Office Momentum Continue?

'The Eye,' featuring a lineup of skilled actors including Shin Min-ah, Kim Nam-hee, Lee Seung-ryong, and Kim Young-ah, is maintaining a steady flow of viewers as it enters its third week of release. As the audience influx continues into the third week, following the initial upward trend, the industry's attention is focused on whether it will reach its break-even point. The prevailing analysis is that the unique setting, combining the subject of a genetic disease with a mystery surrounding death, hit the mark for genre film fans.

Currently, 'The Eye' is playing in major theaters nationwide.