Movie Industry

'Journey to Gyeongju,' D-8 Before Release, Tops Korean Movie Ticket Pre-sales

Director Kim Mi-jo’s First Commercial Film, “Seagull” Starring Lee Jung-eun, Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon

Choi Hee-jae
2026-08-18 16:33:32
[Edaily Starin, Reporter Choi Hee-jae ] With the release of the movie “Gyeongju Journey” just eight days away, it has topped the Korean movie ticket pre-sale rankings.
"Gyeongju Journey" poster (Photo courtesy of Lotte Entertainment)

According to the Integrated Movie Ticket Network on the 18th, the film “Gyeongju Trip” ranked first in advance ticket sales for Korean films as of 12:01 p.m. Not only did it easily surpass strong Korean competitors such as “Okay Madam 2” and “Love’s Hachuping: The Legend of the Whale Jewel,” but it also claimed the top spot in overall advance ticket sales among upcoming releases. With just one week to go before its release, the film is driving up advance ticket sales based on enthusiastic word of mouth, raising expectations for its box office performance.
“Gyeongju Trip” is a family revenge drama about four women—a mother and her three daughters—who embark on a “deadly” journey after an eight-year wait to avenge their youngest daughter, “Gyeongju,” who never returned from a school field trip. With its release just one week away, the film has captured public attention by topping the Korean film ticket sales rankings.
The film has been receiving rave reviews from media outlets, critics, celebrities, and general audiences who have seen it in advance of its release. It has been praised as a family revenge drama that perfectly balances thrills, laughter, and emotion—featuring the ironic juxtaposition of cheerful photos at tourist spots and blood-soaked chase scenes, the peculiar genre-specific thrill provided by the relentless, off-beat tension, and the profound afterglow of family love that lingers at the end.
“Gyeongju Trip” is the first commercial film by director Kim Mi-jo, whose directing skills were recognized with her debut film “The Seagull.” Notably, the film received critical acclaim at the 24th Florence Korean Film Festival held last March and was honored with the Audience Award. Actors Lee Jung-eun, Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon star as a mother and her three daughters.

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