[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Director Na Hong-jin’s new film “Hope” has surpassed 3 million cumulative viewers just 11 days after its release and continues to dominate the box office. The film has recorded high occupancy rates not only in standard theaters but also in special formats such as 4DX (a 4-dimensional movie screening system), IMAX, and ScreenX (multi-screen format), signaling a promising outlook for its long-term success.

According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated computer network on the 26th, “Hope” has recorded a cumulative audience of 3.12 million, maintaining the No. 1 spot at the box office for 11 consecutive days since its release. Although it surpassed the 3 million viewer mark one day later than this year’s top-grossing film, “Gunchye,” it is considered to have entered a phase of long-term success based on steady word-of-mouth.
Audience reviews also appear to be improving over time. The rating from actual moviegoers on Naver rose from 7.29 to 7.33, while the rating from netizens increased from 6.19 to 6.28. The film’s expansive world-building, stunning visuals, and narrative open to diverse interpretations are driving repeat viewings and boosting post-screening satisfaction.
The popularity of special screening formats is particularly notable. According to the CGV website’s showtimes on the 26th, the “Hope” 4DX theater at Yongsan I’Park Mall recorded a 75% seat occupancy rate that day. Excluding the final showing at 1:30 a.m. the following day, the occupancy rate reached 90%, meaning virtually all seats—excluding those reserved for people with disabilities—were sold out.
ScreenX theaters also recorded a 46% seat occupancy rate, while IMAX theaters showed a 63% occupancy rate. These figures significantly exceed the average 4DX and ScreenX seat occupancy rate of 20% for films released this year. This suggests that there is continued demand among audiences to enjoy the film’s visuals and immersive experience more vividly through large screens and special effects.
The box office race is set to enter a new phase next week. With Marvel Studios’ *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*, opening on the 30th, topping the advance ticket sales chart with approximately 499,000 advance bookings, *Hope* is maintaining its momentum by ranking second with about 140,000 advance bookings.
“Hope,” the new film from director Na Hong-jin—his first in about 10 years since “The Wailing”—is a sci-fi action thriller set in Hopo Port near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that depicts the struggle of people who encounter an unidentified entity. The film features a cast of domestic and international actors, including Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, as well as Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell.