[Box Office] 'Chiikawa the Movie' syndrome takes holiday No. 1 by just 215 viewers; 'Assassins' hits 3 million

The power of a singular universe drives the 'Chiikawa' syndrome

The animated film 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island' edged out director Heo Jin-ho's blockbuster 'Assassins' by an exceptionally narrow margin over the Hangul Day holiday weekend to take the top spot at the box office.

According to data released Oct. 12 by the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing network, 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island' drew more than 407,800 viewers from Oct. 9 through 11, accounting for 29.7% of box-office revenue, to lead the weekend box office. The film, which has maintained a blistering pace since its release Sept. 30, has attracted more than 1.281 million viewers cumulatively.

The film follows Chiikawa, Japan's mega-hit character, and its companions as they encounter a mysterious incident on an unknown island. Its dystopian, realistic universe, set against character designs known for their distinctive cuteness, has been a key factor in building a strong fan base alongside the nickname 'Tiny and Cute' (something small and cute). The explosive popularity that previously dominated character merchandise and pop-up stores has carried over intact to the big screen. Meanwhile, the chilling story hidden beneath the bright exterior has captivated adult audiences as well, providing the film's long-run box-office momentum.

Historical weight and gripping immersion fuel 'Assassins'

The pursuit by 'Assassins', which placed second, was just as fierce. It drew more than 407,600 viewers during the same period, accounting for 28.8% of box-office revenue, in a tight race for the lead that ended with an unusually narrow gap of just 215 viewers.

Featuring top-tier actors including Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho, 'Assassins' is an espionage thriller that uses weighty direction to investigate the hidden forces behind the shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-soo on Aug. 15, 1974. Despite controversy over its historical interpretation before and after its release, the film has showcased the strength of Korean cinema, propelled by its distinctive suspense and the actors' commanding performances. On Oct. 12, its 20th day in theaters, it surpassed 3 million cumulative viewers.

Third place went to 'Tazza: The Song of Belzebub', which drew more than 190,000 viewers over the weekend, accounting for 14.0% of box-office revenue. Since its release Sept. 23, it has steadily attracted audiences and has now recorded more than 1.744 million cumulative viewers.

A showcase of diverse genres, from 'The Odyssey' to 'Look Back'

Well-made films adding variety to the theater market are also making their mark. 'The Odyssey', the latest film from director Christopher Nolan, ranked fourth after drawing more than 95,000 viewers, while the stylish action film 'Resurrection Man: The Red', starring Koo Kyo-hwan, secured fifth place with more than 49,000 viewers.

The animated film 'Look Back', chosen by more than 41,000 viewers, took sixth place. Directed by Oshiyama Kiyotaka and based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's acclaimed manga of the same name, the film delicately portrays two girls' passion for and solidarity through creative work with meticulous animation, earning overwhelming praise from moviegoers.

Meanwhile, advance-booking figures, which offer a glimpse of the theater market's future direction, also show the clear strength of 'Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island'. As of 9 a.m. Oct. 12, it led with a 30.5% advance-booking share, representing more than 50,000 advance tickets. 'The Odyssey' followed with 15.6%, or more than 25,000 tickets. 'Electronic Game Guardians', a highly anticipated film set for release Oct. 14, ranked third after securing more than 16,000 advance tickets, emerging as a new variable in the box-office race.