Na Hong-jin's film 'Hope' shatters Korean pre‑sale records with over 600,000 tickets

South Korean director Na Hong‑jin's sci‑fi thriller ‘Hope’ has broken pre‑sale records, surpassing 600,000 tickets booked within days of its 15 May release, according to distributor Plus M Entertainment. The film posted a 68 % reservation rate and recorded 560,000 bookings on its opening day, the highest first‑day pre‑sale figure for any Korean domestic film.

‘Hope’ was produced with a budget exceeding 500 billion won, making it the most expensive Korean‑origin picture to date. Industry analysts estimate the movie needs roughly 7 million viewers to reach profitability. Its strong start places it in direct competition with upcoming blockbusters such as Marvel’s “Spider‑Man: Brand New Day” and Christopher Nolan’s “Odyssy”. The film’s early commercial performance is being closely watched as a barometer for the domestic market’s health.