Spring box office to bloom with mix of local horror, global sequels
Actor Kim Hye-yoon in a scene from “Salmokji: Whispering Water” / Courtesy of Showbox
The domestic film market in April is set to bloom with a diverse lineup of movies ranging from sensitive emotional dramas and terrifying local horror to long-awaited Hollywood sequels.
This spring follows the historic dominance of "King’s Warden," which has topped the box office for eight consecutive weeks. As movie fans look for high-quality storytelling to follow this massive hit, new releases aim to attract audiences through global recognition and nostalgic storytelling.
The month kicks off on April 1 with the Japanese romantic drama, "The Last Song You Left Behind," directed by Takahiro Miki.
Based on the novel by Misaki Ichijo, the film follows the success of the emotional hit, "Even if This Love Disappears from the World Tonight," and stars Shunsuke Michieda and Meru Nukumi.
Actor Shunsuke Michieda in a scene from “The Last Song You Left Behind" / Courtesy of Media Castle
The story centers on a boy who writes poems for a girl struggling to find her own words, as their shared emotions eventually transform into music. To meet Korean fans, Michieda is scheduled to visit here from April 3 to 5 for a three-day promotional tour.
On April 8, the focus shifts to the mystery horror film, "Salmokji: Whispering Water," which explores a chilling local legend at a famous fishing spot. Directed by Lee Sang-min, the film features a strong ensemble cast including Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jong-won.
The story follows a filming crew visiting a reservoir to update a map, only to capture a mysterious entity on camera. After the sighting, the team is pulled into a series of terrifying events where the deep, dark water seems to hide a secret that challenges the boundary between reality and local legend.
Actor Yeom Hye-ran in a scene from “My Name” / Courtesy of Let’s Films, Aura Pictures
Mid-month brings a more serious and historical tone with "My Name" scheduled for release on April 15.
Directed by the veteran filmmaker Chung Ji-young, the movie explores the tragic memories surrounding the Jeju April 3 Uprising, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people amid ideological conflicts on Jeju Island between 1947 and 1954.
Actor Yeom Hye-ran has taken the lead role, playing a mother who searches for the truth behind her family's painful history.
The film has already been recognized for its artistic merit after being invited to this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, and it is expected to resonate with audiences through its delicate portrayal of the island's painful past.
A poster for “The Devil Wears Prada 2” / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
The final week of April will see the arrival of two major Hollywood blockbusters that are likely to dominate the market.
On April 29, the legendary franchise, "The Devil Wears Prada 2," returns 20 years after the original film captivated the world.
Directed by David Frankel, the sequel reunites Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway as they navigate the vastly changed digital media and fashion industry of the current era. Adding to the excitement, Streep and Hathaway are visiting Korea on April 8 to promote the movie.
On the same day, "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," the official successor to the 2023 global hit of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," will also hit local theaters. The sequel expands its scope to the entire galaxy, bringing the beloved mechanics and cosmic wonder of the original Nintendo game series to the big screen.