Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Korean animation 'The King of Kings' strikes gold in US box office
A scene from the animated feature “The King of Kings” / Captured from Angel Studios’ YouTube channel
By Baek Byung-yeul
Animated film "The King of Kings," crafted by Korean studios and filmmakers, has taken North American box offices by storm, debuting at No. 2 in North America on Friday, marking a milestone for local animation on the global stage.
"The King of Kings" raked in $7.01 million on its opening day across 3,200 theaters in North America, according to data from the U.S. tracking site Box Office Mojo. This unexpected success places the Korean production ahead of Hollywood releases like "Amateur" and "Drop," second only to the video game adaptation, "A Minecraft Movie." Media outlets in the U.S., including Variety, project the film's opening weekend earnings to reach about $18 million.
The film's Easter release in Korea on April 20 is anticipated to further fuel its box office momentum.
"The King of Kings" is a 3D animated feature produced by Korea's Mofac Studio. The film is directed, written and produced by Mofac CEO Jang Seong-ho, with cinematography by Kim Woo-hyung.
The film reimagines the life of Jesus Christ through the lens of Charles Dickens' children’s book "The Life of Our Lord," a story he often shared with his children.
Mofac Studio is a leading computer graphic and visual effects company in Korea, responsible for the film's high-quality visuals and sophisticated direction. With a team of experienced artists and technicians, Mofac has contributed to several successful movies, including the 2009 film "Haeundae.”
"The King of Kings" boasts a star-studded voice cast, including Oscar Isaac, Pierce Brosnan, Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman and Mark Hamill. Their vocal performances add depth and resonance to the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact of the film.
The film's success is also attributed to Angel Studios' effective distribution strategy. The studio's track record, including the 2023 hit, "Sound of Freedom," has positioned it as a formidable player in the independent film distribution market.