Yeon Sang-ho's 'Colony' Dominates South Korean Box Office
The action-horror zombie film 'Colony' has taken the South Korean box office by storm, grossing an impressive $9.4 million over the weekend of May 22-24. This marks a significant achievement for the film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's Midnight Screenings section. With a cumulative total of $10.9 million from 1,501,633 admissions since its wide release on May 21, 'Colony' is a local blockbuster that has captivated audiences.
What makes 'Colony' particularly noteworthy is its return to the director's signature zombie genre, reminiscent of the critically acclaimed 'Train to Busan'. The film's success is evident in its dominance of the box office, capturing 71.85% of the total market revenue. This achievement is even more remarkable considering the film's high-profile status and its premiere at Cannes.
The film's distributor, Showbox, has played a crucial role in its success, ensuring a wide theatrical launch. The survival thriller's performance on the global stage is also notable, as it became the eighth highest-grossing film worldwide, according to Comscore. This international recognition further solidifies 'Colony' as a significant addition to Yeon Sang-ho's directorial portfolio.
In contrast, the pop biopic 'Michael' had to settle for second place, earning $1.9 million over its second weekend. The musical drama has pushed its cumulative South Korean total to $7.9 million from 1,075,229 admissions since its premiere on May 13. While 'Michael' maintains a steady performance, it couldn't match the box office prowess of 'Colony'.
The top ten list also includes other notable films, such as 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', which slipped one spot to third place, and 'The Devil Wears Prada 2', which placed fourth. However, the real story here is the dominance of 'Colony', which has not only revitalized the South Korean box office but has also set a high bar for future releases in the zombie genre.
