The South Korean box office stayed vibrant over the January 3-5, 2025 weekend, with Harbin firmly holding its lead while Sonic the Hedgehog 3 surged into the top five, signaling a lively start to the year for cinemas.
Harbin Dominates the Box Office
Harbin, a historical action-drama starring Hyun Bin, continues to enthrall moviegoers across South Korea. Over the weekend, the film raked in KRW 4.71 billion (around $3.2 million), reinforcing its grip on the number one spot.
The movie, centered on Korea’s independence movement, recorded 483,921 admissions, securing a 42% share of the market. This brings Harbin’s total earnings to an impressive $23.9 million, making it one of the top-grossing films in the region.
The Firefighters Holds Firm at Second
Following closely, The Firefighters clinched second place with weekend earnings of $850,366, contributing to an 11.1% market share. With 129,252 admissions, the film’s total now stands at $22.9 million. The drama, which highlights the bravery and sacrifices of first responders, continues to connect with audiences seeking emotional and inspirational narratives.
Bogota: City of the Lost Makes a Strong Debut
Debuting at number three, Bogota: City of the Lost earned $672,000 over the weekend. The Colombia-set thriller captured an 8.8% market share, drawing in 102,979 viewers. Its cumulative earnings have reached $2 million, marking a promising entry into the market.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Gains Momentum
A notable riser, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 leaped to fourth place, earning $563,000 over the weekend. With 89,893 admissions and a 7.4% market share, the film’s total now stands at $1.2 million. The movie’s growth highlights its appeal among younger viewers and fans of the franchise.
Pororo the Movie: Great Adventure Under the Sea Stays in the Top Five
Beloved Korean animation Pororo the Movie: Great Adventure Under the Sea rounded out the top five with $487,680 in earnings. The film maintained a 6.4% market share, drawing 83,655 admissions and bringing its cumulative total to $1.1 million.
Additional Box Office Highlights
- Mufasa: The Lion King dropped to sixth place, totaling $5.1 million.
- Crayon Shin-chan: Ora’s Dinosaur Diary took seventh with cumulative earnings of $4.1 million.
- Moana 2 remained a box office powerhouse at eighth, with $21.7 million overall.
- Wicked slipped to ninth, tallying $14.2 million in total.
- Civil War, the latest from Alex Garland, debuted in 10th place with $571,300.
Market Insights and Trends
The latest box office performance highlights the strength of local productions like Harbin and The Firefighters, which continue to captivate audiences with homegrown stories. Simultaneously, international releases such as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and popular animated films maintain steady traction, attracting family audiences and younger demographics.
As the year unfolds, the South Korean box office promises an exciting mix of blockbusters, indie breakthroughs, and animated hits, keeping the cinematic landscape dynamic and diverse.
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My Name is M Anas. I am a passionate blogger with a knack for sharing insights on technology, autos, Mobile Phone, etc. With a creative flair and a commitment to delivering engaging content, Anas aims to inspire and inform readers with unique perspectives and well-researched articles.