The Korean film industry is experiencing one of its most difficult years in recent memory, as theater attendance continues to decline and new releases struggle to attract large audiences.
According to the Korean Film Council, only 42.5 million moviegoers were recorded in the first half of 2025, more than 20 million fewer than during the same period last year, and even lower than in 2022, when the country was still emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A telling sign of the industry’s downturn is the sharp drop in commercial hits.
Only three films released this year have managed to surpass 3 million viewers: Opposition, Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning, and Mickey 17.
For Korean films, the figures are even more modest. Hitman 2 drew 2.54 million viewers, followed by Harbin and The Match, both barely exceeding 2 million. Meanwhile, other titles, including High Five and The Nuns in Black, failed to reach even the 2 million mark.
Industry insiders cite several contributing factors. Viewers’ habits have shifted toward OTT platforms, with the shortened “holdback” period between theatrical and digital releases making theaters less essential.
Some recent films, such as The Match and The Nuns, were available on streaming services just 40 days after their theatrical release, reinforcing the belief that it’s easier to wait than buy a ticket.
The number of theatrical releases has also shrunk. After the pandemic, many studios released long-shelved films in quick succession. Now that those so-called “warehouse films” have run out, new production has slowed due to stalled investments and disappointing box office returns.
Still, industry stakeholders are cautiously optimistic about the second half of the year.
Several high-profile releases are scheduled for the summer season, including Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, Zombie Daughter, and The Devil Has Moved In.
In addition, the government is introducing movie ticket discount coupons, offering viewers up to four discounts of 6,000 won each, which may help lure audiences back to theaters.
While the first half of 2025 has raised serious concerns about the viability of the Korean box office, the coming months may offer the industry a chance to rebound if the right mix of content and support can bring viewers back to the big screen.
