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Hello, this is Shin Jeong-seon, a reporter with the Culture Section of Chosun Ilbo. The156th issue of ‘How About That Movie’ is Chuseok Film Revenue Competition. We have put this together for readers who wish to watch a film over the holidays but are unsure which ones are currently playing. Today, I will first discuss thetop 5 films in the global box office chart. The rankings are determined bytotal viewership figures up to the fourth, and we have concentrated on information to assist you in making choices based on your preferences rather than the films’ artistic value. As this letter is intended to inspire you to go to the cinema, there are no spoilers, but I do provide suggestions based on my own tastes. Let’s begin quickly.

1st Place: ‘Boss’, 450,000

It’s number one as expected. Released on the 3rd, it has been two days up to the 4th. During holidays such as Chuseok or Lunar New Year, a light-hearted comedy for the entire family is typically released, and this Chuseok it’s ‘Boss’. The film runs for 98 minutes, perfectly matching a relaxed duration. However, despite being in first place, it doesn’t seem dependable enough to ensure box office success during the Chuseok movie season. The poster boldly states,This Chuseok, the joker is in charge,but if that’s the case, this film isn’t in charge. I didn’t laugh even once. I truly wanted to laugh. With actors Joo Jin-mo, Lee Sung-min, Lee Kyu-hyung, and Oh Dal-su, how could they perform any worse?

A mob boss passes away unexpectedly, and no one is willing to assume leadership, resulting in disorder. The premise—where characters compete not to become the leader—is interesting but becomes stale quickly. The mystery surrounding the boss’s death is obvious from the beginning. It is expected to be a secure, unexceptional option for family viewers. It will likely exceed 1 million viewers, but I remain doubtful. You might find it more enjoyable on Netflix eventually, at least without the cost of a ticket.

Second Position: ‘No Other Choice,’ 1,720,000

It fell to second position following the release of ‘Boss’.In any case, this is my firm suggestion. I shared how much I appreciated it at the Busan International Film Festival, and I enjoyed it even more during the Seoul press screening.

I have compiled some important points for a separate letter, which I will send next week or the following week. Why not join me in unraveling Park Chan-wook’s mysteries? For instance,why choose Jo Yong-pil’s ‘Red Pepper Chaser’ among so many songsI’ve already come up with my response. I have a few more thoughts, but I want to watch it again before sending the letter to prevent errors. It’s expected to exceed 2 million viewers during the holidays. Enjoy interpreting the symbols and devices that Park Chan-wook carefully placed. The ‘Red Pepper Chaser’ scene is especially enjoyable.

3rd Position: ‘Theater Edition Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’, More Than 1 Million

“Theater Edition Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc” exceeded 1 million viewers on the 5th day. I was amazed—it was incredibly engaging! I questioned why I hadn’t seen this in theaters before, but this is actually its first time in cinemas. I found ‘Chainsaw Man’ more exciting than ‘Demon Slayer’. The action is quick and visually striking, and I was impressed by its non-stop pace and powerful destruction. At first, I thought, “Since Japanese anime is popular, I should give this a try,” but after the screening,I ended up gathering ‘Chainsaw Man’ merchandise. (Cute Poochita, come here.)

Japanese anime movie releases frequently feature intricate subtitles, which can make them appear difficult to understand for people who haven’t read the original manga. However, ‘Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’ is fun to watch even without any previous familiarity—just as I found it to be.It revolves around a demon hunter who entered into an agreement with a chainsaw-wielding demon.—hence “Chainsaw Man.” The subtitle “Reze” denotes a female character, highlighting her important role. By the end, you’ll find yourself saying, “I need to watch this again,” even with the familiar plot elements and the protagonist’s genuine love and tragic past.

4th Position: ‘Theater Edition Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc’, 5,150,000

It has now exceeded 5 million total viewers and is competing with ‘Suzume no Tojimari’ (5,580,000), the most successful Japanese anime in South Korea. The main issue is how long its performance will last, but it’s not out of the question. ‘F1 The Movie,’ which came out in June, is still within the top 10. ‘Demon Slayer’ demonstrates why it should be seen in cinemas due to its distinctive action sequences. However, its fan base is primarily younger (between 20s and 30s), making its long-term success unclear.

Even if you haven’t seen the earlier parts, ‘Mugen Train Arc’ is easy to follow. The extended explanations could be a downside for some viewers, but the action sequences are definitely worth watching. There’s also an emotional backstory for an antagonist. This movie carefully incorporates all the elements one would expect from a theatrical anime, highlighting the animation’s technical excellence.

5th Position: ‘One Battle After Another’, 100,000

Paul Thomas AndersonOne of the few directors whose name alone generates excitement among movie fans, yet his performance at the local box office has been underwhelming. ‘One Battle After Another’ is now his most successful film in South Korea, outperforming ‘Magnolia’ (2000), although the official figures for the latter remain uncertain.

“Another Battle Following Another” could be Anderson’s most approachable movie. Even those who aren’t film enthusiasts will be captivated by Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn’s acting. DiCaprio stars as a former rebel fighter living under a different identity with his daughter, who gets taken, leading to a pursuit. Sean Penn plays a soldier tracking down the rebels, and his story unveils the film’s central theme.

The final highway chase sequence stands out—it relies on the environment to build suspense instead of just relying on speed. Such scenes could not be replicated in South Korea. Anderson also penned the script, which contains clever humor. Certain character actions may puzzle audiences, but isn’t ‘Phantom Thread’ also challenging to comprehend? My preferred Anderson film is still ‘Magnolia’, although ‘One Battle After Another’ appears set for awards recognition during the upcoming Oscar season. Decide for yourself.

I’ll send another Chuseok-themed letter soon. Thank you.

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