[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] A variety of new films across different genres will hit theaters in mid-October. With a wide range of options—including survival thrillers, dramas, and animated films—all eyes are on how well these new releases will attract audiences amid competition from existing films that have been enjoying long-running box office success.

Starting with “Whalefall: The Man Eaten by a Whale,” “Guardians of Video Games,” and “Street Fighter,” which opened on the 14th, new releases will continue to hit theaters in mid- to late October. Notable examples include Director Yeon Sang-ho’s “Paradise Lost,” Kim Hye-ja’s return to the big screen in “Still Radiant,” and “A Flowing Journey,” starring Kim Hye-ok and Justin Min. These films, each featuring different genres and themes, await audiences’ choices.

◇ A Variety of Genres, from “Paradise Lost” to “Whalefall,” Coming One After Another
Director Yeon Sang-ho returns to audiences with his new film “Paradise Lost,” following the box office successes of “Face” and “The Army.” Set to open on the 21st, “Paradise Lost” is a psychological thriller that begins when Ryu Seon-woo (played by Bae Hyun-sung)—whom his mother Ryu So-young (played by Kim Hyun-joo) had believed to be dead after the disappearance of a camping school bus nine years ago—miraculously returns alive. The film fully embodies Director Yeon’s distinctive cinematic universe.

“Still Radiant” is drawing attention as Kim Hye-ja’s return to the big screen after a nine-year hiatus. The film tells the story of Soon-ok, who reunites with her best friend—with whom she shared the most radiant moments of her life—after 60 years, featuring a collaboration between Kim Hye-ja and Cha Mi-kyung.

“A Flowing Journey” features a collaboration between Kim Hye-ok and Justin Min. It tells the story of Chun-hee, who, after losing her husband, was preparing for a journey of her own when she encounters unexpected connections in her new apartment, causing a new melody to flow through her once-quiet daily life.

With these films—featuring such well-known actors and directors—set to hit theaters, all eyes are on whether they will capture the audience’s interest.

Hollywood genre films and animated movies are also joining the competition at the box office. Films with distinct styles, such as “Whalefall: The Man Eaten by a Whale” (“Whalefall”) and “Street Fighter,” are set to meet audiences. “Whalefall” is a survival thriller in which a diver, swallowed alive by a massive 60-metric-ton sperm whale, fights for his life in an extreme struggle to escape the whale’s stomach within the mere 60 minutes he has left before running out of air. Mark Hocker, the visual effects supervisor who worked on *Stranger Things*, and his team plan to enhance the realism by, among other things, building a custom underwater tank capable of holding approximately 660,000 liters of water.

“Street Fighter” is an action-packed entertainment film set in 1993, in which sworn rivals Ryu and Ken Masters—brought back to the fighting ring at Chun-Li’s suggestion—confront a massive conspiracy hidden within a life-or-death battle royale. Director Sakuai Kitao expressed confidence in the action, stating, “There are even more fight scenes than in ‘John Wick.’”

The animated film “Electronic Entertainment Guardians,” based on a webtoon, has also made the list. “Electronic Entertainment Guardians” is a pixel-based blockbuster depicting the spectacular struggle of Patch, an ace agent who sets up the in-game world, as he fights to prevent the forced shutdown of a dated 8-bit classic game. It has garnered a 98% CGV Golden Egg Index score and is gaining momentum through word of mouth.

As a result, the October box office now offers audiences a variety of choices based on their personal tastes, rather than seeing them flock to a single genre.

◇Competing with Long-Running Hits… Securing Screening Times Is Key
However, new releases face significant hurdles before they can draw in audiences. Christopher Nolan’s “The Martian,” which opened last August, continues its long-running success, while existing hits such as “Assassins” and “Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island” occupy the top spots at the box office.

Since films that have already won over audiences are holding their ground at theaters, films set for release in the middle and latter half of the month must compete for screening slots and audience turnout.

Whether the initial buzz surrounding a film translates into actual box office success is also a key factor. A film industry insider stated, “Even for films featuring famous directors and actors, securing screening slots is not easy under the current circumstances,” adding, “Since existing hits are steadily drawing audiences, audience reaction and word of mouth during the early release period will be crucial for new releases.”

With a variety of new releases joining the box office in mid- to late October, all eyes are on which films will attract new audiences amid the momentum of existing blockbusters.