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The latest weekend box office results from South Korea indicate that Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc has claimed the top spot, generating approximately $1.6 million from nearly 220,000 ticket sales. This achievement underscores a significant milestone for the film, which has engaged audiences since its release on September 24, with a cumulative revenue of $18.9 million.
Adapted from the acclaimed manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, this film centers on the ‘Reze’ arc and is directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, with a screenplay crafted by Hiroshi Seko. The storyline follows Denji, whose life spirals into chaos following his encounter with Reze, a café worker.
Their relationship unfolds into a tumultuous mix of romance and violence. The voice cast features prominent talents such as Reina Ueda and Fairouz Ai, with distribution handled by Sony/Crunchyroll.
Competition in the box office
In second place, the Japanese film The Exit 8 has debuted, earning $977,292 from 137,173 admissions.
This psychological horror, directed by Kawamura Genki, follows a man trapped in a seemingly endless subway corridor. He must identify subtle anomalies to find his way out.
Close behind is the Korean action-comedy Boss, which has generated $398,660 from 58,838 ticket sales.
With a cumulative total of nearly $16 million, this film, directed by Ra Hee-chan, delves into the lives of gang underlings who paradoxically strive to avoid leadership while pursuing their personal dreams. Its premiere at the Busan International Film Festival has further enhanced its appeal.
Other notable films
The stop-motion animated classic Coraline has made a notable return to the box office, earning $412,856 from 58,134 admissions. This brings its re-release total to approximately $1.5 million. Meanwhile, the acclaimed film No Other Choice, directed by Park Chan-wook, has secured the fifth position with $327,571 from 47,604 admissions, pushing its overall earnings to $19.6 million.
This gripping tale features Lee Byung-hun as a laid-off paper manufacturing specialist who turns to serial killings in a desperate attempt to secure employment.
Anime hits continue to rise
The popular anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle remains a strong contender, adding $316,549 this weekend to reach a total of $41.7 million. Another anime title, Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie, collected $235,455, bringing its cumulative total to $1.3 million.
Emerging Korean dramas
The Korean drama The world of love, directed by Yoon Ga-eun, debuted at ninth place, earning $148,882 from 21,876 admissions. The film explores the life of 17-year-old Lee Jooin, whose intense emotions significantly impact those around her. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and has already garnered several awards, including the Roberto Rossellini Awards Jury Prize.
In tenth place, Weapons generated $69,110 from 9,428 admissions, bringing its total to $532,008. Overall, the weekend box office showed a slight decline, with the top ten films collectively earning approximately $4.7 million, down from $5.06 million the previous week.
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc leads the Korean box office, reflecting the increasing popularity of anime adaptations in mainstream cinema. The film has successfully attracted audiences, showcasing a compelling mix of thrilling action and engaging storytelling. This success sets a significant precedent for upcoming anime releases, indicating a shift in viewer preferences and market trends.
