South Korean film ‘Hope’ sparks polarizing debate while shattering box‑office records

The science‑fiction action thriller ‘Hope’, directed by Na Hong‑jin, opened on 15 July in South Korea and quickly became a commercial hit, reaching 1 million viewers within three days and surpassing 3 million admissions in just 11 days – a record pace for the year.

Audience reactions are sharply divided. CGV’s real‑time rating sits at 83 % and Naver’s user score is 7.3 /10, yet 56 % of viewers gave the film a top rating of 9‑10 while 21 % rated it 1‑2. The controversy prompted attacks on critics, some of whom defended their assessments by stressing a lack of personal ties to the director.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi‑young posted on Instagram after watching the film, describing it as an “epoch‑defining blockbuster” and urging the public to see it and form their own opinions, while congratulating the cast and crew on the 3‑million‑viewer milestone.