‘Veteran’ Ranks First in the Korean Box Office
'Panta Rhei' - the famous assertion of Greek philosopher Heraclitus. In English, it means 'life is flux' or continuous change. This is exactly what to expect in the Korean box office, which is now dominated by 'Veteran' after 'Assassination' has stayed at the top after its premier on July 22.
As the new blockbuster for the 2nd week, Ryoo Seung-wan's action comedy film has premiered with 1.9 million admissions at 1,064 cinemas across the country; the Korean Film Council has reported on August 10. It may not have sold more tickets in the opening, unlike 'Assassination' with 2.4 million and 'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation' with 2 million, but it has started off on the right foot considering that it premiered at fewer theaters compared to the two movies.
Five days into its release, 'Veteran' has gained around 2.8 million viewers. So far, it has earned 15.4 billion won ($13.2 million) in the country.
Under the direction of Ryoo Seung-wan, the cast includes Hwang Jung-min as police officer Seo Do-cheol and Yoo Ah-in as the conceited third-generation heir Jo Tae-oh. Yoo Hae-jin, Oh Dal-su, Jang Yoon-ju and Yoo In-young, among others, also star in the movie.
'Assassination' ranks second after dominating the box office for 3 weeks and raking in almost 9 million viewers. It has amassed more than a million viewers on the third day of its release. 'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation' is at the third spot with 942,014 viewers over the weekend. 'Minions' ranks fourth, earning 1.8 million viewers for the past two weeks. 'Inside Out' is at the fifth spot with 4.5 million viewers since its premier the previous month.