Na Hong-jin’s Hope Breaks Through Mixed Reactions and Passes 4 Million Viewers, Marking Its Third Major Record of the Year

A 44.3% miracle that rose after beating early mixed reactions… Na Hong-jin’s genre-mixing blockbuster reshapes the theater market

Na Hong-jin’s new film 'Hope' perfectly dispelled the sharply divided critical views in its opening days, then went on to achieve a stunning feat: becoming the third release this year to surpass cumulative attendance of 4 million viewers.

According to distributor Plus M Entertainment, 'Hope' reached the 4 million-viewer milestone as of the 2nd. It is the third major record of the year following 'The King and the Man' directed by Jang Hang-jun and 'Gunje' directed by Yeon Sang-ho, underscoring once again the staying power of well-made Korean cinema.

The film closely examines the harrowing standoff between a mysterious alien lifeform that crashes without warning near the Demilitarized Zone’s Hopo Port and the villagers who confront it. Leading the cast are top domestic actors 'Hwang Jung-min', 'Jo In-sung', and 'Jeong Ho-yeon', and Hollywood screen legends 'Michael Fassbender' and 'Alicia Vikander' joined the project for immediate attention even at the production stage, drawing global interest.

Because its narrative structure blends action, science fiction, and comedy, early after release, public tastes were split sharply. But the huge scale that overwhelms the screen—and the 'cinematic experience' that can be enjoyed only in theaters—spread through word of mouth and flipped the momentum 180 degrees.

In particular, amid fierce competition from major foreign-language tentpole releases, the film hit an astonishing seat-sales rate of 44.3% as of the 1st and moved to solidify its box-office run. Plus M Entertainment said, "With terrifying staying power, it succeeded in reversing course and proves the fundamental competitiveness of Korean films." With 'Hope' winning over viewers through their own voluntary choice beyond the critics’ yardstick, its long-term box-office trajectory is not expected to falter for the time being.