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.
How 'Once We Were Us' wins over weary souls to lead box office
Actors Koo Kyo-hwan, left, and Mun Ga-yeong in a scene from “Once We Were Us” / Courtesy of Showbox
By Baek Byung-yeul
“Once We Were Us,” a romance film released on the last day of 2025, has defied expectations by taking the No. 1 spot at the Korean box office, winning over audiences with a relatable story of love and loss rather than flashy visual effects and action.
Directed by director Kim Do-yeong, the film recorded over 1.5 million admissions, edging out the Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” according to data from the Korean Film Council, Sunday.
The movie also topped the overall reservation rate for the first time, Wednesday, in 75 days for a domestic film, which is a feat not seen since “The First Ride” led the charts on Oct. 31, 2025.
As a remake of the 2018 Chinese film “Us and Them,” the movie follows Eun-ho (Koo Kyo-hwan) and Jeong-won (Mun Ga-yeong), who were once deeply in love but forced to part due to the harsh realities of life. The story happens 10 years later when they meet again by accident and start to remember their past love.
Actors Mun Ga-yeong, left, and Koo Kyo-hwan in a scene from “Once We Were Us” / Courtesy of Showbox
The film’s growing popularity appears to be driven by strong word of mouth.
Viewers have praised the movie for its emotional depth because many see themselves in the characters. This includes people who have experienced a painful breakup or job seekers struggling against life's harsh realities. By focusing on experiences that feel real and possible, the film has successfully captured the hearts of audiences.
Another key factor in the film’s success is the active participation of the lead actors in promotional activities.
Since its release, Koo and Mun have been traveling across the country, including cities far from Seoul, to hold stage greetings. These events allow the actors to personally thank the audience and share brief conversations before or after the screenings.
Actors Koo Kyo-hwan, top, and Mun Ga-yeong in a scene from “Once We Were Us” / Courtesy of Showbox
On Friday, the film’s distributor, Showbox, announced that the actors will continue their nationwide tour into the fourth week of release to meet with fans.
Industry officials said that such dedication from lead actors is a crucial element in the movie’s success.
“Having actors personally thank the audience multiple times eventually creates viral marketing that spreads the word to more people,” an industry official said on condition of anonymity.
“It is also a chance for them to show their genuine love for their work, which creates a very positive effect.”
It remains to be seen if the success of “Once We Were Us” will help other upcoming domestic films gain momentum. Several highly anticipated works by big-name directors are scheduled to hit theaters next month, including Ryoo Seung-wan’s “Humint” and Zhang Hang-jun’s “The King’s Warden.”