Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
'Maleficent 2' tops box office, facing test from 'Kim Ji-young'
A poster for “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” left, which topped the local box office for six consecutive days since it premiered last Thursday, and a poster for "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982," premiering Wednesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea and Lotte Entertainment
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
The return of Disney's villainous enchantress in “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” stormed into the local box office and has dominated it for six consecutive days since it premiered Oct. 17. However, despite nabbing the top spot, the film does fall short of expectations, and is likely to face a test when "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982" premieres Wednesday.
The latest Disney blockbuster had accumulated 717,135 ticket sales grossing 6.2 billion won ($5.2 million), as of Wednesday. But the film has also had a rather disappointing outing in North America with a $36 million opening weekend, a steep decline compared to the first film's $69 million.
“Maleficent 2” has premiered in most major international markets, grossing over $157 million worldwide this week. However, it still has more to go to reach the break-even point for its $185 million budget.
The sequel to 2004's dark fantasy “Maleficent” picks up on the after-story of “happily ever after” where the previous series left off. The film starts with Prince Phillip (Harris Dickinson) proposing to Aurora (Elle Fanning). When Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) travels to the human world to celebrate the upcoming wedding, she meets Aurora's future mother-in-law Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) who has a devious plan to destroy the fairy world. To fight back against the queen and her forces, Maleficent turns to a group of outcasts and seasoned warriors.
Locally, the Hollywood fairy tale blockbuster is about to face competition for the top spot at the box office with the much touted "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982.”
"Kim Ji-young, Born 1982” centers on an ordinary married woman named Ji-young and portrays her struggle to find her identity while being someone else's daughter, wife and mother. Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
The film is the adaptation of the 2016 best-selling novel of the same name, which triggered a heated debate about sexism here upon its release. The film adaptation has also been drawing attention from the public, both supportive and skeptical, even before its premiere.
Despite such a split reaction to the film, it still managed to attract 93,170 advance ticket sales, showing the anticipation for the film. It also has taken up about 50 percent of the total number of movie seat reservations made Wednesday, compare to 10 percent for “Maleficent 2.”
"Kim Ji-young, Born 1982” revolves around an ordinary housewife Ji-young (Jung Yu-mi) who quit her job to raise her daughter. Buried in mundane daily tasks of taking care of a young daughter and her husband, Ji-young one day begins to go through brief episodes of being someone else, as if she's possessed.
As the story develops, the film addresses ongoing issues in society ― the biases and struggles that women face, and the harsh reality of raising a child and trying to make ends meet. But at the same time, it tells the universal story of “us,” of families and of anyone struggling to get by.
The film is actress-turned director Kim Do-young's directorial debut and stars Gong Yoo as Ji-young's husband.
The second spot for this week's local box office went to the super villain origin story “Joker,” which has accumulated 4.6 million in ticket sales, grossing 40.2 billion won.
The Venice award winning film had reigned at the local box office for two weeks since it premiered Oct. 2, before “Maleficent 2” took over the top spot last week. The film has earned $700 million worldwide.
Directed by Todd Philips, the film features Joaquin Phoenix's stunning performance as Batman's nemesis the Joker and charts how he came to be the super villain. Failed comedian Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) struggles with constant bullying, isolation and ostracism. Until one day, he unintentionally lashes out with violence and slowly turns into the psychotic criminal mastermind Joker which gets him the attention he craved.