‘Ne Zha 2’ Takes the Top Spot in CGV Reservations Among This Week's Releases, Ranking First in Animation Reservations!

With the exclusive release of 〈Ne Zha 2〉 set for February 25 (Wednesday), it has already recorded the overall 3rd place in CGV reservations, raising expectations for its box office success. To celebrate the release, the top 4 viewing points have been revealed.

#1. Scale and Technical Mastery Proven by Global Success

〈Ne Zha 2〉 is a blockbuster animation that has achieved a box office revenue of $2.2 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing animated film of all time. The Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating of 91% also proves that 〈Ne Zha 2〉 is a well-made animation. The scale of 〈Ne Zha 2〉, created by VFX experts from around the world, shows a level of quality comparable to major Hollywood animations. Tony Bancroft, the co-director of Disney's 〈Mulan〉 and 〈Aladdin〉, praised it, saying, “I have never seen a quality and scale at this level. It is an amazing achievement to modernize Eastern mythology like this.” The director of 〈Ne Zha 2〉, known as ‘Gyoja’ with a unique background as a medical school graduate, is said to have completed his artistic life with this work after establishing himself with short films. With its exclusive release at CGV on February 25, 〈Ne Zha 2〉 is confirmed to be shown in IMAX and 4DX, so it is highly recommended to see the meticulously crafted scenes on the big screen.

#2. 5 Years of Preparation, A Blockbuster Action That Will Dazzle Your Eyes

The result of 5 years of hard work, 〈Ne Zha 2〉 is so meticulous and grand that it is called the ‘ultimate fantasy.’ With a production cost of $80 million, a total production period of 5 years, over 4,000 staff members involved, 138 collaborating studios, a rendering process that took 3 years, and over 1.4 million special effects and 200 million mob battles, it can truly be called a mammoth blockbuster. The battle scenes that implement natural elements like bamboo, water, ice, and wind with top-notch technology are reminiscent of live-action films. Additionally, the uniqueness and humor presented by the Skull Mountain, where the Stone Witch lives, and the transcendent battles through the void cracks keep viewers captivated. The grand battle of the three realms, where 200 million mobs move simultaneously, is a spectacle that turns heaven and earth upside down, reaching an artistic level beyond mere technical prowess. FX director Liu Xin revealed that he invested nearly a year and a half to properly express the scale and intensity of the battle of the three realms, which can be considered the highlight of the film. “An overwhelming visual feast,” as the review states, the visual beauty that fills the screen shines in formats like 4DX and IMAX.

#3. A Two-in-One Animation That Offers Both Laughter and Emotion

The true charm of 〈Ne Zha 2〉 lies in the deep ‘emotional bond’ that harmonizes with the stunning visual effects. The tearful farewell scene between Ne Zha and his caring mother, ‘Eunbuin,’ evolves into a familial bond that goes beyond simple emotion. Moreover, as Ne Zha and the cool guy, Obyeong, constantly bicker and confront each other, watching their growth process intertwines laughter and tears. Especially, the ending scene battle they perform together showcases their fantastic chemistry, resembling not just an animation but a coming-of-age drama. The villain, Shin Gongpyo, is designed not merely as an embodiment of evil but as a complex emotional line of a ‘father trying to protect his family,’ creating a sense of empathy that spans generations. Additionally, the humor in 〈Ne Zha 2〉 is prepared in a way that resonates well with Korean audiences, not just limited to local culture. The comedic kicking incident between Ne Zha, who cannot control his strength, and his father, ‘General Lee Jeong,’ who wants to play with his son, contains the love and memories of family behind the laughter. Through 〈Ne Zha 2〉, which the whole family can enjoy together, it offers family audiences a story about the importance of family, dreams, and adventures, while providing adult audiences with a message about the precious meaning of family.

#4. A Glamorous Lineup of Korean Dub Cast with Flavor!

The domestic dubbed version perfectly reinterprets the strengths of the original, offering a familiar yet fresh charm. The actor Jeong Ji-soo, who plays ‘Ne Zha,’ adds the charm of a cute troublemaker to the character with an androgynous voice, while the actor Jo Byeong-kyu, who plays ‘Obyeong,’ maximizes the humanity of the hero with delicate emotional acting that contains warmth amidst coldness. Additionally, the actor Son Hyun-joo, who reveals a heavy presence, plays the fresh ‘Muryang Sinseon,’ while the actor Go Gyu-pil, who plays the laughter-inducing ‘Master Tae-il,’ the actor Lee Pil-mo, who plays Obyeong’s father ‘O Gwang,’ the actress Jin Hee-kyung, who plays ‘Eunbuin,’ the actor Han Jae-seok, who plays ‘General Lee Jeong,’ the actor Jang Won-young, who plays ‘Shin Gongpyo,’ and the actors Ham Eun-jung and Kang Gi-dong, who play ‘Hakdong’ and ‘Nokdong’ respectively, all deliver noteworthy performances. Furthermore, Bell from Kioff (Kiss of Life) takes on the role of the ‘Stone Witch,’ amplifying expectations. “The discovery of Jeong Ji-soo, whose voice acting is on par with her acting and singing,” as the review states, the seamless performances of the already proven Korean dub cast, combined with humor that reflects Korean sensibilities, allow child audiences to easily laugh and immerse themselves. The myth-level animation 〈Ne Zha 2〉 that shook the world finally lands in Korean theaters on February 25 (Wednesday). Laughter, emotion, action, and scale. It’s time to confirm this year’s first true blockbuster that has it all through the theater.