ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU Becomes Top-Grossing Film of the Year 

With no hot new release driving sales, business slowed about 30% over the past weekend, with 768,000 admissions recorded over the last weekend in August. Local holdovers led the way and kept the local market share high at 87%. 

The Hwang Jungmin vehicle Hostage: Missing Celebrity remained in the top spot, clinching 285,000 sales (USD 2.48 million) as it slowed a slight 37% after its debut last week. The film has so far welcomed 1.14 million viewers (USD 9.6 million) but though it has been well-received, strong competition is likely to hamper its chances of reaching another major box office milestone.

Also faring well was Sinkhole, which was down 45% in second place. The disaster comedy added 180,000 spectators (USD 1.55 million) over the weekend and has sold 1.98 million tickets (USD 16.68 million) to date.

Ryoo Seungwan’s had a stellar 28% hold during its fifth weekend on the charts. The acclaimed action film added 160,000 entries to its haul (USD 1.37 million), which has now reached 3.06 million admissions (USD 25.18 million). The film overtook Black Widow over the weekend to become the most well-attended film at the Korean box office this year.

Debuting in fourth place was the local horror title GUIMOON: THE Lightless Door with Kim Kangwoo. The film kicked off its run with 40,000 sales (USD 330,000) over the weekend and has filled a total of 71,000 seats (USD 536,000) over its first five days in theaters.

Down 35% was the Hollywood action film Free Guy, which added 23,000 viewers (USD 210,000) during its third weekend. The film has now reached 292,000 spectators (USD 2.54 million).

The reign of local dominance this summer is set to come to an end this week with the launch of the latest Marvel film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which is currently enjoying a comfortable lead atop the reservations chart.