Kim Hye-yoon’s “Salmokji” Breaks 1.6 Million Viewers! Surpasses the Break-Even Point by More Than Double

The horror film 〈Salmokji〉 has surged past the break-even point by more than double, reaching 1.6 million viewers and igniting an overwhelming horror craze across the 2026 theater scene.

A strong win in just 16 days… the fastest break-even point among 2026 releases

Depicting a fierce battle of an unknown figure captured in a road view and a vengeful spirit in a reservoir, the horror film 〈Salmokji〉 reached a cumulative audience of 1.6 million on the 16th day since its release—today (April 23). This is the fastest record this year for surpassing the break-even point, indicating that it has already moved beyond recouping production costs and entered the profit zone with stability.

In particular, even among tough competitors—including 〈The Man Who Lives with a King〉, starring Kim Min, which drew 16 million viewers, and the much-anticipated project 〈Project Hail Mary〉—〈Salmokji〉 has firmly held its No. 1 spot at the box office for 15 straight days, signaling a push for long-run success.

“The scarier it gets, the more new it feels” A surge in Nth-viewing driven by detailed direction

The reason 〈Salmokji〉 is seeing such box-office success lies in viewers’ voluntary word-of-mouth and a “craze for interpretation.” Beyond fear centered on jump scares designed just to startle, its detailed direction reveals new clues every time you watch—leading viewers to seek out Nth viewings.

Audiences who went to the theater left positive comments such as “unexplainable terror” and “a vivid sensation that you can feel the icy air of the reservoir,” showing a high level of immersion in the work. With its momentum not faltering even amid a barrage of new releases, all eyes in the film industry are on what final box-office record 〈Salmokji〉 will ultimately set.

Delivering fear that is impossible to explain, impossible to resist, and impossible to escape, 〈Salmokji〉 is currently playing to enthusiastic audiences in theaters nationwide.