How ‘The World of Love’ and ‘The Ugly’ became Korea’s quiet box-office surprises

In Korea’s movie market, where blockbuster budgets have long been equated with box office success, small independent films are defying expectations. Audiences are proving that good storytelling can outperform massive marketing budgets through word-of-mouth buzz — and two films are leading the charge: “The World of Love” and “The Ugly.”

Independent gem ‘The World of Love’ earns critical acclaim and star support

Released on Oct. 22, “The World of Love” has rapidly gained momentum. Within five days, the independent film surpassed 30,000 viewers, and it is now close to reaching the 50,000 mark less than two weeks after its release — an impressive feat considering the small number of screens nationwide showing the film.

The story follows an 18-year-old high school girl named Joo-in, who is targeted by a series of unsettling anonymous notes after arguing over a petition being circulated by her classmates. Directed by Yoon Ga-eun, who earned acclaim for her delicate storytelling in “The World of Us” and “The House of Us,” the new film is her first feature in six years.

Critics and filmmakers alike have praised the film’s emotional precision and sincerity. Actors Kim Hye-soo, Kim Tae-ri, Park Jung-min and Go Ah-sung have all voiced support, while Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho even appeared at a talk to endorse it. Actor Jung Yu-mi posted on social media, “I’m thankful I got to see this film.”

Unlike formulaic commercial releases, “The World of Love” captures quiet emotional truths that resonate with audiences. Amid the dominance of genre-bound blockbusters, it offers a reflective look at the ordinary experiences of youth, with a subtle but powerful message.

The film is also attracting international attention. Before its domestic premiere, it became the first and only Korean film selected for the competition section of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. It has since been invited to the Pingyao, Warsaw, BFI London, Tokyo Filmex, and Hong Kong Asian Film festivals.

‘The Ugly’ earns fiftyfold returns on a shoestring budget

Another breakout success is “The Ugly,” directed by Yeon Sang-ho, best known for the blockbuster hit “Train to Busan.” The low-budget film, made for just 200 million won ($145,000), has grossed approximately 10.2 billion won — a fiftyfold return.

“The Ugly” tells the story of Im Dong-hwan, a man investigating the 40-year-old mystery behind his mother’s death while living with his blind father, a master craftsman of engraved seals. Starring Park Jung-min, Kwon Hae-hyo and Shin Hyun-been, the film drew more than one million viewers thanks to glowing reviews and word-of-mouth buzz.

Yeon produced the movie with just 20 crew members and one-third the typical number of shooting days for a commercial feature. Park Jung-min agreed to take the lead role without pay, highlighting the team’s commitment to creative experimentation.

Yeon said he intentionally pursued a low-budget model to break away from the conventional production systems, and the film’s success now stands as a quiet rebuke to Korea’s risk-averse film industry, which often prioritizes safe choices over diversity and creativity.

Cultural critic Jung Deok-hyun told the Hankook Ilbo, “We’re no longer in an era where only multiplex blockbusters can succeed. Even small-budget films can move audiences deeply.”

He added, “The old formula of relying on mega-trends no longer works. In today’s era of personal taste, theaters must embrace diversity to survive.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.