[Edaily Starin, Reporter Yoon Ki-baek] The movie “Backroom” has emerged as a surprise hit at the box office this summer, surpassing 700,000 cumulative viewers just 11 days after its release.

According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated computer network, “Backroom” surpassed 700,000 cumulative viewers on the 6th. Following its突破 of 500,000 viewers on its eighth day of release, it has continued its steep upward trend by adding another 200,000 viewers in just three days.
The success of “Backroom” holds significance beyond mere audience numbers. Given that Hollywood horror and thriller films have rarely achieved large-scale box office success in the Korean theater market since the pandemic, the film is seen as reaffirming the market potential of genre cinema.
Notably, “The Backroom” is a mid-to-low-budget film with a production budget of approximately $10 million (about 15.5 billion won). It is unusual for a film that is not a mega-blockbuster to attract audiences solely through word of mouth and buzz. Interest is expanding from South Korea to North America and global markets, drawing attention as a success story for independent horror intellectual property (IP).
Another factor cited for its success is the expansion of the “Backroom” universe—previously consumed online through memes and urban legends—onto the big screen. Furthermore, public interest is growing even more as various brand collaborations and fan-created content continue to emerge.
Industry insiders assess *Backroom*’s success as “an example where a strong fanbase and buzz, rather than a massive production budget, drove audiences.” In fact, since its release, the film has expanded its appeal beyond horror enthusiasts to include general audiences, laying the groundwork for a long-term box office run.
“The Backroom” tells the story of characters trapped in an unknown space who encounter bizarre phenomena. It marks the first film adaptation of the “Backroom” universe, known worldwide as a horror urban legend on the internet.