Action-Comedy 'Boss' Roars to Top of Korean Box Office, Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' Takes Second Spot

Korea Box Office: Action-Comedy 'Boss' Debuts at No. 1, Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' Moves to Second SEOUL, South Korea - The action-comedy film "Boss" took the top spot on the Korean box office with a strong opening weekend, according to data from KOBIS, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council. Directed by Ra Hee-chan, the film grossed 4.5 million won (approximately $3.2 million USD) from 666,679 admissions over October 35, commanding 31.5 percent of weekend sales across 1,168 screens. "Boss" stars Jo Woo-jin as Soon-tae, Jung Kyung-ho as Kang-pyo, Park Ji-hwan as Pan-ho and Lee Kyu-hyung as Tae-gyu in a story that centers on gang underlings competing to avoid becoming the boss while pursuing personal ambitions. The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival. Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" moved to second place with 3.2 million won (approximately $2.3 million USD) from 458,582 admissions for a 22.5 percent share. Released on September 24, "No Other Choice" now stands at 12.8 million won. Industry insiders attribute the success of "Boss" to its unique blend of action and comedy, which has resonated with local audiences. "The film's lighthearted tone and quirky characters have made it a hit among viewers," said Kim Ji-hyun, a film critic for the Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo. Meanwhile, Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" has received praise from critics for its thought-provoking themes and complex characters. "Park Chan-wook is known for pushing boundaries in his films, and 'No Other Choice' is no exception," said Lee Hye-jin, a film scholar at Seoul National University. The success of both films highlights the growing demand for local content in Korea's box office. According to KOBIS data, domestic films have consistently dominated the market share over the past year, with 70 percent of total admissions attributed to Korean productions. As the Korean film industry continues to grow, it is likely that international collaborations and co-productions will become increasingly important. "The success of 'Boss' and 'No Other Choice' demonstrates the potential for Korean films to appeal to global audiences," said Lee Chang-hoon, a producer at CJ E&M, one of Korea's largest entertainment companies. With its strong opening weekend, "Boss" is expected to maintain its position at the top of the box office for the coming weeks. As for "No Other Choice", it will likely continue to attract viewers with its thought-provoking themes and complex characters. The Korean film industry has seen a surge in popularity over the past decade, with films like "Parasite" and "Train to Busan" gaining international recognition. The success of "Boss" and "No Other Choice" is a testament to the growing influence of Korean cinema on the global stage. *Reporting by Variety.*