Na Hong-jin's 'HOPE' exceeds 370,000 reservations, overwhelming ahead of release

The Return of Na Hong-jin, Breaking This Year's Highest Pre-booking Record

Director Na Hong-jin's new film 'HOPE', his first in 10 years, is overwhelming the theater industry even before its release. According to the results from the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing system on the 13th, 'HOPE' recorded a real-time pre-booking rate of 61.3% two days before its release. The number of pre-booked spectators is 376,216.

This figure marks the fastest climb to first place in overall pre-booking rates among this year's releases. It has surpassed 'The Man Living with the King', which previously held the highest pre-booking record for this year. Even with several new foreign films being released in succession, 'HOPE' is maintaining its first place in pre-bookings with overwhelming numbers.

Currently, 'HOPE' is clearly dominating the pre-booking market indicators. 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day', scheduled for release on the 29th, is in second place with a pre-booking rate of 16.5% (approximately 101,000 people), followed by 'Odyssey', releasing on the 5th of next month, at 6.1% (approximately 37,000 people). The animation 'Minions & Monsters', releasing on the 15th, is recording a pre-booking rate of 4.2% (approximately 25,000 people).

Last weekend (10th–12th), the number one spot at the box office was taken by Disney's live-action film 'Moana', which drew about 403,000 spectators. Since its release on the 8th, 'Moana' has recorded a cumulative audience of approximately 511,000. The second place went to the thriller 'Eye' starring Shin Min-a, which gathered about 257,000 spectators, reaching a cumulative total of approximately 1.277 million. Third place was 'Toy Story 5' (approximately 238,000), and fourth place was the animation 'David' (approximately 57,000).

SF Action with 50 Billion Won Production Budget, Successful Global Pre-sales

The net production cost of 'HOPE' is known to be over 50 billion won. This new work by Director Na Hong-jin, who directed 'The Chaser', 'The Yellow Sea', and 'The Wailing', combines sci-fi imagination with thrilling action and thriller tension. First unveiled at the press screening, the film received critical acclaim for its unique genre-bending fun.

The method of visual implementation is also distinctive. Rather than relying heavily on computer graphics (CG), it actively utilized actual sets and on-site filming. In particular, the action scenes, where most stunts were performed directly by the actors, are a major highlight. Audiences will experience a sense of realism as if they have entered the middle of Hopo Port, along with a visual experience that can only be felt in a theater.

Performance in the overseas market is also reflected in the numbers. 'HOPE', which was officially invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival, has completed pre-sales to approximately 200 countries and regions worldwide. This is the highest level of overseas pre-sales in Korean film history. Through this, nearly half of the net production cost has already been recovered before the release.

From Hwang Jung-min to Michael Fassbender, a Cross-Border Lineup

The cast features a large-scale lineup spanning Korea and Hollywood. Centered around Hwang Jung-min, who plays Beom-seok, the branch manager of Hopo Port near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the film also stars Jo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon. Additionally, world-class actors such as Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender have joined the cast.

The story is set in Hopo Port, located near the DMZ. It depicts the process where branch manager Beom-seok hears news from local youths that a tiger has appeared, causing an emergency in the entire village and leading him to face an unbelievable reality.

The movie 'HOPE' will be released in theaters nationwide on the 15th. It will simultaneously welcome audiences in various specialized theaters, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, Dolby Atmos, ScreenX, and 4DX.