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.
Comedy flick ‘Boss’ dominates Chuseok box office, sets new post-pandemic record
A poster for the movie "Boss" / Courtesy of Hive Media Corp
By Baek Byung-yeul
The Korean comedy-action film "Boss” emerged as the champion of the Chuseok holiday box office this year, securing the No. 1 spot for five consecutive days and setting a new record for a Korean film released in October since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Released Oct. 3, the movie quickly surpassed 1 million admissions faster than any other Korean film released in October since 2020. On Tuesday, the film recorded 322,760 admissions. Its accumulated attendance stands at 1,308,140, demonstrating its widespread popularity.
The film's momentum successfully beat out competing titles, including award-winning director Park Chan-wook’s "No Other Choice" and the Japanese animation "Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc," and securing its position as the most broadly appealing choice during the family-centric holiday period.
The movie’s success is rooted in its highly original premise as high-ranking gang members desperately try to yield the boss position to one another to pursue their own personal dreams, rather than fighting for the crown.
In the movie, which offers an ironic twist on the conventional gangster genre, actor Jo Woo-jin plays Soon-tae, the reluctant second-in-command who dreams of becoming the country's best Chinese food chef.
Actor Jung Kyung-ho portrays Kang-pyo, another mob figure whose secret ambition is to become a top tango dancer.
Actors Park Ji-hwan adds to the chaos as Pan-ho, the organization's No. 3 who is desperately seeking the boss position, and Lee Kyu-hyung playing Tae-gyu, an undercover cop whose mission is complicated by his long-held, conflicting loyalties.
From left, actors Park Ji-hwan, Jo Woo-jin and Jung Kyung-ho in a scene from “Boss” / Courtesy of Hive Media Corp
Director Ra Hee-chan’s film is being praised as a fresh and visually entertaining comedy-action experience, distinguishing itself from generic gangster films.
The movie’s ability to deliver consistent laughter and surprising moments, coupled with a brisk 98-minute runtime that appeals to today's viewers, has made it the go-to choice for families looking for a collective cinema experience.
According to its production company, Hive Media Corp, audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers commenting, "Anyone who likes comic-action is guaranteed to be satisfied," and "I got rid of my stress in a refreshing way after a long time. It’s a movie for the whole family to laugh with and enjoy during the holiday."
Holding the second spot at the box office on Tuesday was "No Other Choice," which drew 180,812 admissions. The movie, which was released on Sept. 24, recorded a cumulative attendance of over 2.2 million.
Third place was taken by the animated feature "Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc," which was viewed by 114,266 people, bringing its total audience to over 1.26 million.