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The Korea Times

By Baek Byung-yeul
Distributors of much anticipated upcoming movies in South Korea, such as Harbin, starring Hyun Bin, and Bogota: City of the Lost, featuring Song Joong-ki, are aiming to capitalise on a potential box office recovery following the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Film distributors targeted the year-end movie season by releasing popular foreign sequels like Disney’s Moana 2 and Korean films featuring top actors.
However, contrary to expectations, cinemas witnessed a decrease in audience numbers. According to data from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), cinema attendance from December 1 to 14 was 4.97 million, a 21 per cent decrease from the same period last year.

While the exact cause has not been determined, it appears to be related to Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, which plunged the country into chaos.n attempt to overcome political deadlock.
Distributors of films like Harbin and Bogota: City of the Lost aim to revitalise the end-of-year movie season, with the film industry hoping for a return to normalcy and increased attendances.


KOFIC’s data showed that Harbin topped the advance ticket sales chart with 84,902 reservations as of December 15, despite being nine days away from its December 24 release date.
Directed by Woo Min-ho, Harbin tells the story of Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910), an independence activist who sought to break free from Japanese colonial rule.
Hyun takes on the role of this independence fighter, with the film, shot in Latvia, Mongolia and Korea, generating significant buzz even before its release.
“Harbin is a work that captures the atmosphere created by overwhelming global locations and the life-risking journey of independence fighters through director Woo Min-ho’s perspective, and has been highly anticipated by audiences,” said its distributor, CJ ENM, and production company Hive Media.
“At this rate, it is expected to surpass 100,000 advance ticket sales this week,” they projected.


The crime film Bogota: City of the Lost is also expected to draw large audiences at the end of the year.
In this film, which will hit cinemas on December31, actor Song portrays Guk-hui, who relocates to Bogota, Colombia, with his family after their family business collapses in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
There, the story follows Guk-hui as he begins working in smuggling under a figure who wields significant influence in the local Korean community.
Read the original story at The Korea Times.


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Lee Hee-joon (left) and Song Joong-ki in a still from Bogota: City of the Lost, one of two big domestic productions distributors hope will draw South Koreans back to cinemas. Photo: Plus M Entertainment and Watermelon Pictures

Protesters cheer near the National Assembly during a rally in support of the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on December 14. Cinema attendance fell amid two weeks of mass demonstrations. Photo: EPA-EFE

Youn Yuh-jung backstage at the 2021 Oscars ceremony, where she won for  best actress in a supporting role for Minari. Photo: AFP

From left, Steven Yeun, Alan Kim, Youn Yuh-jung, Yeri Han and Noel Cho in a still from Minari, inspired by writer-director Lee Isaac Chung’s own life. Photo: TNS

Alan Kim and Youn Yuh-jung in a still from Minari. Photo: Plan B

Youn Yuh-jung is known for her sense of humour. Photo: EPA-EFE

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Former South Korean president Park Geun-hye in 2017. Yoon played an instrumental role in her impeachment and conviction for abuse of power. Photo: AP 

A rally supporting feminism held in Seoul in 2022. Photo: AP

Yoon and his wife Kim Keon-hee pose with puppies at a guide dog school in Yongin in December 2022. Photo: South Korean Presidential Office / AFP

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Michelle Wai in a still from The Last Dance. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures

Chu Pak-hong in a still from The Last Dance. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures

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Cinema-going fell in South Korea amid mass protests after President Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration. Distributors hope for a rebound


Cinema-going fell in South Korea amid mass protests after President Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration. Distributors hope for a rebound.
