‘Michael’ Takes #1 at the Box Office on Opening Day Nationwide & Reveals 3 Hype Points That Captured Real Viewers’ Hearts!

The film 〈Michael〉 captures the legendary music and pulse-racing performances that shook an entire era—telling the story of how “Michael Jackson,” a naturally gifted musical genius, rose to become the King of Pop. It achieved #1 on the overall box office on its opening day, alongside overwhelming pre-sale ticket sales at the top. According to the Integrated Ticket Network for Cinema Admissions, 〈Michael〉 brought in 99,901 viewers in its first day on May 13 (Wed) and climbed to #1 overall box office, kicking off a full-scale sensation craze.

Not only Korean media, but also K-POP stars and various celebrities are continuing to praise it. In response, we’re revealing three hype points of 〈Michael〉, which has captivated audiences in South Korea.

The first point is a stage packed with unforgettable hits and performances that bring Michael Jackson’s concerts to mind. This work chronicles Michael Jackson’s journey—from his days as part of the “Jackson 5” as a boy, to achieving success as a dazzling solo artist. In particular, the 〈Bohemian Rhapsody〉 production team joined in, reviving his signature classics and iconic performances vividly on the screen, driving audiences into a frenzy. The media and stars who watched the film also shared enthusiastic reactions such as “For fans, it delivers chills, and for new audiences, it brings the emotional impact of classic songs” (WithIn News reporter Kim Young-sik), “I translated the energy of a live performance onto the screen exactly as it was” (Maeil Business Star Today reporter Han Hyun-jung), “It felt like a true tribute to the legacy Michael Jackson left behind” (Rise Anton), “The King of Pop is back—like no one else!” (Singer John Park), and “The legend is still alive and moving” (Dancer Lee Jung) — all praising the film.

The second is Jafah Jackson’s standout performance, perfectly portraying Michael Jackson. In this film, Jafah Jackson—Michael Jackson’s nephew and a rising new musician—takes on the role, expressing his life and stage. It’s said that he practiced so intensely that he danced every day until his feet reportedly stopped feeling—putting extraordinary care into it to deliver a dazzling, 200% synchronization rate performance that boosts immersion. Media outlets and stars are showering Jafah Jackson (who portrayed him) with high praise, saying things like “Jafah Jackson seems like Michael Jackson has been reborn” (SR Times reporter Shim Woo-jin), “The stage Jafah Jackson completed with authenticity went even beyond that” (Dispatch reporter Jeong Tae-yoon), “A perfect outfit and performance down to the tips of his toes” (Kookmin Ilbo reporter Kwon Nam-young), and “I was so moved I could really feel how much effort Jafah Jackson put into making the film” (MONSTA X’s Juheon), all emphasizing the excellence of the Michael Jackson that Jafah Jackson brought to life.

Finally, the reason it captivates viewers is the special-format theater experience that amplifies the sense of being there. 〈Michael〉 lets audiences enjoy Michael Jackson’s fantastic hit songs and performances in special formats such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and SCREENX. It delivers an overwhelming level of immersion as if you’re right in the middle of a real concert venue, sparking explosive reactions from viewers. Real viewers said things like “I recommend watching it with Dolby Sound no matter what” (Megabox_RA***), “It’s totally the best. I’m glad I watched it in Dolby” (Megabox_ME***), and “Make sure to watch in a theater with great sound. Every time the songs come on, you’ll feel so excited” (CGV_Happiness***), continuing to praise and recommend special-format screenings. On top of that, Pentagon Kino—who watched the film at a VIP press screening—also shared feedback: “Because it’s a music movie, you should definitely watch it in a theater with great sound,” further fueling viewers’ desire to experience it in special-format theaters.