In the South Korean film market, the diverging fortunes of two movies are currently the talk of the town. “Exhuma” is on an unstoppable box office run, poised to surpass 6.5 million viewers, whereas “Dune: Part 2” (hereafter “Dune 2”) is experiencing a somewhat sluggish performance, contrary to expectations. This article will deeply explore the current standing and future prospects of these two films.
As of March 5, 2024, according to the Film Promotion Committee’s integrated computer network, “Exhuma,” directed by Jang Jae-hyun, attracted 208,002 viewers in just one day, maintaining its position at the top of the box office for 12 consecutive days. The cumulative audience count has reached a staggering 6,241,197, with the 6.5 million viewer mark fast approaching. “Exhuma” is an occult mystery film that narrates the bizarre incidents occurring during the process of relocating a suspicious grave for a hefty sum of money. It has surpassed the 6 million viewer mark at a faster pace than last year’s blockbuster hits “12.12 The Day” and “The Outlaws 2”, continuing to demonstrate a strong box office momentum.
On the other hand, “Dune 2” directed by Denis Villeneuve, managed to draw only 44,201 viewers on the same day, bringing its total attendance to 864,997. Although it is close to surpassing 1 million viewers, its box office momentum seems to have slowed. Despite achieving number one in the box office in 11 countries, including North America, the UK, and France, it is struggling to exert its influence in South Korea, overshadowed by the strong performance of “Exhuma”.
This contrast in box office performance might reflect the unique tastes and trends of the South Korean film market. Audiences show a high interest in domestically produced occult mystery genres, enthusiastically embracing works like “Exhuma”, while being more cautious than expected towards foreign blockbusters.
It will be interesting to observe whether “Exhuma” will set new records and if “Dune 2” can find a turning point in the South Korean market. The changing trends of the South Korean film market and their impact on the future of the film industry are worth paying attention to.
