Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’ achieves record-breaking box office success

Na Hong-jin’s new sci-fi epic, ‘Hope’, has achieved significant box office success following its debut. The film, which marks the director’s first feature in a decade, has become the most expensive Korean film produced to date, with a budget of approximately $33 million.

In South Korea, the film set records for opening-weekend admissions, accounting for 66% of all movie ticket sales in the country and grossing nearly $40 million. In the United States, distributor Neon opted for an aggressive rollout, opening the film in roughly 1,500 to 1,560 theaters. This represents the largest domestic footprint for a Korean film in the U.S. since ‘Parasite’. The film earned between $3.5 million and $5 million during its initial five-day opening window.

Set in the town of Hope Harbor near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the film follows a police investigation that escalates into a massive alien spectacle. The production features an international cast including Hwang Jung-min, Jung Ho-yeon, Zo In-sung, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender. While reviews have been mixed, the film has garnered significant attention since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.