South Korean Cinema Soars: Record Attendance and Revenue in First Half of 2026
South Korea saw a significant increase in attendance for local films in the first half of 2026, with a 75% rise compared to the same period in 2025. The Korean Film Council reported that Korean films attracted 37.4 million admissions, generating $242 million in revenue. Despite a decrease in the number of films released, major hits like The King’s Warden and Colony drove the surge in attendance and ticket sales.
The historical drama The King’s Warden, directed by Jang Hang-jun, became South Korea's second highest-attended film ever, drawing 16.9 million viewers and earning $107.8 million. Yeon Sang-ho's zombie thriller Colony and supernatural horror Salmokji: Whispering Water also performed well, with 5.86 million and 3.2 million admissions respectively.
In contrast, the South Korean box office had a slower year in 2025, with no film reaching the 10 million admissions mark. The leading local title, My Daughter Is A Zombie, attracted 5.6 million viewers. However, 2026 seems to be off to a strong start, and the industry is looking to maintain this momentum with the upcoming release of Na Hong-jin’s Hope, which premiered at Cannes in May and is set to open on July 15.
In conclusion, the first half of 2026 has been a successful period for South Korean cinema, with a significant increase in attendance and revenue compared to the previous year. Major hits like The King’s Warden and Colony have driven this growth, setting a positive tone for the industry moving forward.