[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Director Na Hong-jin’s new film “Hope” is continuing its box office run, poised to reach the 2 million viewer mark in its opening weekend. With audiences flocking to theaters thanks to the government’s movie discount coupon program, combined with anticipation built up by its invitation to the Cannes Film Festival’s main competition section and the word-of-mouth buzz that has followed its release, the film is on track to become this summer’s top box office hit.

According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated computer network on the 19th, “Hope” had recorded a cumulative audience of 1,732,394 as of the 18th. Having consistently held the top spot at the box office since its release, the film is expected to surpass the 2 million viewer mark by the end of the day.
Ticket pre-sales are also booming. As of 9 a.m. today, “Hope” secured approximately 240,000 advance tickets, ranking first in pre-sales. Although “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” in second place, is hot on its heels with about 200,000 advance tickets, “Hope” remains the strong favorite to lead the weekend box office.
The increased demand for movie theaters, driven by the government’s movie theater discount coupon policy, is cited as a key factor behind “Hope’s” success. To coincide with the summer peak season, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council distributed 2.05 million 6,000-won movie discount coupons on the 8th to boost theater attendance. In addition to garnering attention for its artistic merit even before its release—thanks to its selection for the competition section at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival—the film is reportedly driving repeat viewings as well, fueled by positive reviews from actual viewers who describe it as “a movie that must be seen in theaters.”
“Hope,” director Na Hong-jin’s new film released approximately 10 years after “The Wailing,” is a sci-fi action thriller set in Hopo Port near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that depicts the struggle of people confronting an unidentified entity. The film has garnered significant attention for its star-studded cast, which includes Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, alongside international stars such as Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell.