[Box Office] 'Slam Dunk' Ranks No.1, A Solid Hit Filling the Niche

'Hero' 3 Million · 'Sanggyunni' Over 140,000
Quality Films Gain Long-Term Popularity Through Word of Mouth

Japanese animation 'The First Slam Dunk' made a comeback to the top spot in its 4th week of release.

According to the Korea Film Council's integrated box office data on the 30th, 'The First Slam Dunk' attracted 249,205 viewers over the weekend (27th-29th), ranking first at the box office. Since its release on the 4th, it has recorded a cumulative audience of 1,922,721.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

'The First Slam Dunk' is an animation depicting the dreams, passion, and relentless challenges of the five members of the Buk San High School basketball team aiming for national domination. It was directed by Takehiko Inoue, who serialized the original manga of the same name.

In Japan, it succeeded at the box office by attracting 2.81 million viewers in just 16 days, surpassing the Hollywood blockbuster 'Avatar: The Way of Water.' In South Korea, despite director Inoue's right-wing controversy, it steadily drew audiences by evoking nostalgia among the 30s and 40s generations.

'Negotiation' (directed by Lim Soon-rye) attracted 205,524 viewers, ranking second. Since its release on the 18th, it has gathered a total of 1,439,964 viewers.

'Avatar: The Way of Water' (directed by James Cameron), which was the first film this year to attract 10 million viewers, added 187,437 viewers to rank third. Released on the 14th of last month, it has drawn 10,358,983 viewers. 'Phantom' (directed by Lee Hae-young), seen by 82,137 viewers, followed in fourth place.

Taiwanese romance film 'Shang Jian Ni' entered the top five with 80,848 viewers. Fueled by the enthusiasm of fans of the original drama of the same name, it has attracted a cumulative audience of 145,206. Lead actors Ke Jiayan (Ga Ga-yeon), Xu Guanghan (Heo Gwang-han), and Su Baiyu (Si Baek-woo) visited Korea on the 26th, drawing crowds of 'Sangchinja' (those crazy about Shang Jian Ni) and creating a buzz. The film surpassed 100,000 cumulative viewers within just four days of release.

The main cast of 'Hero' during the stage greeting
[Photo by CJ ENM]

The musical film 'Hero' (directed by Yoon Je-kyun) attracted 69,682 viewers, surpassing a cumulative audience of 3,057,548. This pace is faster than the 46-day run of the musical film 'La La Land,' which attracted 3 million viewers, continuing its long-term success through the power of music and enthusiastic promotion by the cast and director.

Additionally, the animation 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' ranked 8th, the Japanese romance 'Tonight, at the World’s End, Even If This Love Disappears' ranked 9th, and 'Carrie & Super Cola' took 10th place.

The total number of moviegoers visiting theaters over the weekend was 1,093,364.