The South Korean horror sensation, “Salmokji,” has officially set a new box office record, becoming the most-watched horror film in the nation’s history. The movie garnered 90,972 admissions from Friday to Sunday, boosting its cumulative audience count to an impressive 3.17 million. This milestone, reported by the Korean Film Council, surpasses the previous record of 3.14 million admissions held by the iconic 2003 film, “A Tale of Two Sisters.”
Having premiered on April 8, “Salmokji” immerses viewers in a gripping tale of terror. The plot follows a dedicated filming crew, led by Soo-in (portrayed by actress Kim Hye-yoon), as they embark on a journey to a secluded location, racing against a tight deadline to complete their shoot. However, their mission quickly spirals into an inescapable, swamp-like nightmare, with the horror intensifying as precious time slips away.
The unsettling filming backdrop, also named Salmokji, is a reservoir situated in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province. This particular site is steeped in local lore, long rumored to be a notorious paranormal hotspot with a chilling history of reported ghost sightings, adding a layer of authentic dread to the film’s premise.
Despite the domestic triumph of “Salmokji,” the weekend box office was primarily dominated by international releases. “Michael” led the charts with a robust 470,375 admissions, followed by “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” which secured 123,558 admissions, and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” close behind with 120,545 admissions. Amidst this strong foreign competition, “Salmokji” impressively clinched the fourth position.
