FANTASTIC BEASTS Spellbinds in Opening

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FANTASTIC BEASTS Spellbinds in Opening

Nov 23, 2016

Writer by Pierce Conran
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VANISHING TIME Disappears in Second Place

A Hollywood tentpole helped down the top spot once again as a new big-budget franchise installment marched into theaters. Meanwhile, new local titles struggled against well-known foreign properties. The United States and United Kingdom combined their financing force to capture 78% of the Korean market this past week, as 2.14 million tickets were sold overall, a 40% rise from the previous week.

Opening in first place was Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first installment in a new thread of prequel films, set in the Harry Potter universe with Eddie Redmayne in the lead. The film proved a popular draw with 1.42 million spectators (USD 10.7 million) shelling out for tickets during opening weekend, while the film has already been seen by 1.94 million viewers (USD 14.2 million) since its Wednesday bow.

Very far behind in second place was UM Tae-hwa’s fantasy feature VANISHING TIME: A BOY WHO RETURNED with just 208,000 entries (USD 1.4 million) in its opening weekend, with 358,000 admissions (USD 2.39 million) recorded in its first four days. Starring GANG Dong-won, the film appeared to be aiming for teenage crowds just as the school year and university entrance exams wrapped, much like A Werewolf Boy did in 2012, but came very far from the mark.

Dropping 65% and two spots was Doctor Strange with another 193,000 entries (USD 1.37 million) recorded. After four weekends the film has brought in a powerful 5.19 million admissions (USD 38.7 million).

Off two spots and 71% in its sophomore weekend was local sport drama SPLIT with YOO Ji-tae. The film continued to underwhelm, adding just 97,000 viewers (USD 690,000) for a new total of 671,000 spectators (USD 4.62 million).

Closing out the top five in its sixth week was local comedy smash LUCK-KEY, drawing in another 50,000 moviegoers (USD 348,000) to bring its total to a stunning 6.93 million admissions (USD 47.7 million).

Local films may get a shot in the arm with the release of local comedy My Annoying Brother with JO Jung-suk and K-pop star DOH Kyung-soo of EXO.

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