Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo’s latest films have set the box office buzzing in very different ways, drawing attention from fans and netizens alike.

Song Joong Ki’s Bogota and Song Hye Kyo’s Dark Nuns hit theaters at different times, but their contrasting performances have caught the eyes of many.

Released on January 24, Dark Nuns quickly became a box office hit. As of January 27, it had already reached an impressive 768,603 viewers, just four days after its release!

It had a strong start, attracting 160,000 viewers on its opening day, and went on to top the box office for three straight days.

But that’s not all – Dark Nuns also saw huge success in Indonesia, where it racked up an incredible 310,000 viewers in its opening week.

This set a record as the best opening ever for a Korean film in the country. With the Lunar New Year holidays in full swing, Dark Nuns is expected to keep its momentum going, possibly surpassing 1 million viewers during the break.

On the other hand, Song Joong Ki’s Bogota: City of the Last Chance, which was released in December 2024, has struggled to match the success of Dark Nuns.

Despite a long production process and being released after several delays, Bogota has garnered only 420,000 viewers so far. With a huge production cost of 12.5 billion KRW, the film’s break-even point was set at 3 million viewers, which now seems far out of reach.

Song Joong Ki himself opened up about the film’s poor performance during a January 12 event, expressing gratitude that it was shown in theaters but getting emotional as he shared his disappointment.

He revealed, “I’ve worked harder than ever to promote it. I wanted people to know about it and see it in a good light.”

While Bogota may not have lived up to expectations, Dark Nuns is soaring, and it seems like Song Hye Kyo’s latest film might just keep breaking records.

Stay tuned to see if Dark Nuns can keep topping the box office as the Lunar New Year holidays continue!

Source: [1]

Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

Source: [1]