2016.04.01 ~ 2016.04.03

DC's superhero showdown loses steam...

Zack Snyder's "Batman v Superman" has grossed over $682 million worldwide and become the country's film of choice when it arrived in Korea late March by capturing nearly 70% of the box office pie. Week two for Snyder's showdown was significantly less impressive; although the film still managed to retain the top spot, it did so with just 344 thousand admissions (35%) and was almost denied a second week in pole position by the Disney's "Zootopia" on 293 thousand (29%).

With this past weekend's figures added, "Batman v Superman" now stands on 1.9 million admissions ($14.5 million) and "Zootopia", which was released back in February in Korea, has moved onto 3.5 million ($24.5 million).

Positions three and four were held by newcomers starting withSeok Min-woo's drama,"The Great Actor"(also known as "Pinching the Star"), starringOh Dal-soowho plays a struggle stage actor. It was given 473 screens and attracted 78.3 thousand (7.5%) during its first weekend out. The American thriller "Misconduct" by Shintaro Shimosawa was next with 71 thousand (7%), followed by another new local drama:Choi Jeong-yeol's"One Way Trip".

"One Way Trip"is a coming-of-age film that follows four long-term friends involved in a sudden accident that changes and challenges their relationships. Choi's drama was released two weeks ago and with the 31 thousand it score over the weekend, the film currently stands on 172 thousand admissions sold ($1.1 million). Last weekend the film occupied third place with 87.5 thousand admissions (4.8%).

"The Forest", a supernatural horror from America, arrived in Korea on Wednesday and was allocated 312 screens from which it attracted the attention of 30 thousand filmgoers (2.9%). Last weekend's number five, "Risen" by Kevin Reynolds, a story that follows a Roman soldier as he searches for the body of Jesus Christ, fell two places to settle in seventh with 22 thousand stubs (1.9%), and eighth place was claimed by the Japanese film, "The Anthem of the Heart" by Tatsuyuki Nagai, on 19 thousand (2%).

The sequel to the popular 2002 comedy "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" also arrived in Korea recently and its first weekend out yielded 17.5 thousand across 313 screens for ninth place. Finally, the first weekend of April was rounded out byCho Jung-rae's heartfelt drama about 'comfort girls':"Spirits' Homecoming"starringKang Ha-na,Choi Ri,Son SookandSeo Mi-ji. Released back in February around International Women's Day,"Spirits' Homecoming"is a timely drama that has helped raise the issue of how women were treated during Japan's occupation of Korea; it's been well-received by filmgoers and critics alike. Choi's drama claimed another 14.5 thousand admissions (1.3%) which brought its total tally now to 3.5 million, or $23.6 million.

Korean Box Office - Admissions for the Weekend 2016.04.01 - 2016.04.03 (www.kobis.or.kr)

-Chris Wheeler