South Korea’s summer box‑office leaderboard shifted over the July 25‑27 frame as fantasy action film “Omniscient Reader: The Prophet” opened at No. 1 with 427,357 admissions, bringing its five‑day haul to 627,885 tickets. Data from the Korean Film Council show Brad Pitt’s “F1” slipped to second on 340,237 admissions, while Disney‑Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” bowed in third with 269,098; local animation “The King of Kings” followed on 239,711.
Although the webtoon adaptation enjoys pole position, its reported ₩30 billion (about US $22 million) budget means roughly six million viewers are needed to break even. Director Kim Byung‑woo told reporters a sequel will be considered only “if the film receives enough love,” underscoring financiers’ caution.
The market remains fragile. On 25 July the government released 4.5 million discount coupons worth ₩6,000 each, a surge that paralysed ticket‑booking apps for major chains such as CGV and Lotte Cinema. Even with the subsidy, average ticket prices have climbed 27 percent since 2019 to about ₩14,000, a jump observers say continues to steer price‑sensitive patrons toward streaming platforms.
Marvel’s latest reboot is faring better abroad: Entertainment Weekly reports a $118 million domestic launch and $218 million worldwide, Disney’s strongest opening of the year, even as the title starts in third place at Korean multiplexes. Distributors now pin their hopes on a wider August slate—including zombie comedy “My Daughter Is a Zombie” and period thriller “No Other Choice”—to sustain foot traffic after a sluggish first half.
