[Focus] Korean Films Following the Baton of Ma Dong-seok and Tom Cruise Are Coming

Beomdo 3 and Mission: Impossible 7 Heat Up Box Office
Smuggling, The Moon, Concrete, and Unofficial Summer Releases
Will Lost Korean Film Trust Be Restored?

Ma Dong-seok [Photo by Yonhap News]

Actor Ma Dong-seok's box office punch packs a punch. The film 'The Outlaws 3,' which he starred in and produced, attracted 6 million viewers within 7 days of its release, signaling a bright prospect for reaching 10 million. It was a refreshing turnaround for the stagnant theater atmosphere. Recently, Korean films struggled to attract even 1 million viewers. The fact that it played a role in restoring lost trust in Korean cinema has also boosted the industry's morale.

'The Outlaws 3' is likely to be the first Korean film this year to reach 10 million viewers. With the fourth installment already completed, attention is focused on whether the box office momentum will continue into next year.

Tom Cruise, known as 'Brother Tom,' is expected to take over Ma Dong-seok's baton. The film he stars in, 'Mission: Impossible ? Dead Reckoning PART ONE' (Mission: Impossible 7), will be released on the 12th of next month. Following last year's 8,177,446 viewers that made 'Top Gun: Maverick' the second highest-grossing film, expectations are high again this year. The 'Mission: Impossible' series is also a reliable hit in domestic theaters. The recent installments, 'Mission: Impossible 6' (2018) attracted 6.58 million viewers, and 'Mission: Impossible 5' (2015) drew 6.12 million, both achieving good results. Interest is focused on the seventh installment as well.

Tom Cruise, who enjoyed the benefits of visiting Korea last year, will return this year. On the 29th, he will arrive with director Christopher McQuarrie, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, and others to hold a press conference and promote 'Mission: Impossible 7.'

It feels like d?j? vu. The summer box office rests on the shoulders of Ma Dong-seok and Tom Cruise, the two leads of last year's top-grossing films 'The Outlaws 2' (12.69 million viewers) and 'Top Gun: Maverick,' ranked second. Expectations are even higher as this is truly like rain after a drought.

Will Korean Films Regain Lost Audience Trust?

Recently, Korean cinema has faced a serious crisis. As theater attendance declined, investment in Korean films virtually stopped. Who would pour water into a leaking jar? Investors turned their eyes to other stable investment destinations such as Over-The-Top (OTT) services.

In this atmosphere, major distributors who earnestly hope for the revival of the summer box office have been confirming their blockbuster lineups one after another. They unanimously express their strong hopes for the success of 'The Outlaws 3' and 'Mission: Impossible 7.'

Tom Cruise [Photo by AP·Yonhap News]

A film industry insider said, "'The Outlaws 3' had an unconventional release by opening a week earlier during Buddha's Birthday last month, which helped gather opening viewers, but this cannot be blamed." He added, "If it is to save the Korean film industry, we must do whatever it takes, even if it means grasping at straws. The theater situation is not good, and honestly, we hope to attract even one more viewer by any means."

He continued, "The film market has practically collapsed. The urgent task for Korean films is to regain the trust of lost audiences. It is critical to reimpress the turned-away viewers with the idea that 'Korean films are fun' and thereby recover the broken interest. In that sense, everyone is closely watching the performance of 'The Outlaws 3.'"

The insider also said, "I expect the success of 'The Outlaws 3' to lead into 'Mission: Impossible 7.' Rather than a flash-in-the-pan success of a few films like last year, I hope that the films released afterward will receive good reviews from audiences across the board and continue the box office momentum. We earnestly hope this will revive the summer market."

Summer Brings 10 Million Directors and Blockbusters

▲Smuggling=Director Ryu Seung-wan, known for 10 million viewer hits, opens the summer season. The first Korean film of the summer market is 'Smuggling' (directed by Ryu Seung-wan).

Distributed by NEW and ambitiously released on July 26, the film is a maritime crime action story about people caught up in smuggling in a peaceful seaside town, starring Kim Hye-soo, Yum Jung-ah, Jo In-sung, and Park Jung-min.

Director Ryu presents his new work after 'Escape from Mogadishu' (2021), which thawed the frozen theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago. As a female-led film and a maritime action piece suitable for summer viewing, attention is focused on whether it will receive a good response in theaters.

'The Moon' stills [Photo by CJ ENM]

▲The Moon=CJ ENM presents 'The Moon,' the new work of Kim Yong-hwa, the first director to achieve double 10 million viewers in a series.

Opening on August 2, the film tells the story of a man left alone in space and another man on Earth desperately trying to save him. It promises an emotional story set in space and a spectacular space adventure themed around moon exploration, raising expectations.

Actors Sol Kyung-gu and Do Kyung-soo (D.O.) from the group EXO star together. The vastness of space displayed on the screen is a visual highlight.

▲Concrete Utopia=Lotte Entertainment will release the disaster film 'Concrete Utopia' in August.

Based on Kim Soong-nyung's webtoon 'Cheerful Bullying' Part 2 'Cheerful Neighbors,' directed by Um Tae-hwa. The production plans to build the same universe using the IP, presenting 'Wilderness,' 'Cheerful Bullying,' and 'Concrete Market' as films and dramas, attracting industry interest.

The film depicts survivors gathering in the only remaining Hwanggung Apartment after a massive earthquake turns Seoul into ruins. The appearances of actors Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-joon also raise expectations.

'Secret Operation' stills
[Photo by Showbox]

▲Unofficial Operation=Showbox will release 'Unofficial Operation' in August, reuniting actors Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon with director Kim Sung-hoon. Originally known as 'Kidnapping,' the film changed its title and is preparing for release.

The film is a buddy action story about diplomat Min-jun, who travels to Lebanon to rescue a missing colleague, and local taxi driver Pansu. Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon play the two leads, enriching the story. The two actors are determined to showcase their witty chemistry, which is usually subtle.

The production recreated 1987 Lebanon through Moroccan locations. Diverse action scenes unfold against the backdrop of ruined buildings, maze-like city streets, and vast landscapes.