Korean Comedy "Boss" Dominates Chuseok 2025 Box Office, Overtaking Park Chan-wook's "The Ax"

South Korea's 2025 Chuseok holiday box office race produced an unexpected winner. The comedy film "Boss" captured the top spot during the seven-day festival period, drawing 1.72 million viewers and outperforming director Park Chan-wook's highly anticipated "The Ax."

Holiday Box Office Battle

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated cinema ticket network, "Boss" opened on October 3rd and dominated the holiday weekend through October 9th. The film's success represents a classic underdog story in an industry where critical acclaim doesn't always translate to ticket sales.

Director Park Chan-wook's "The Ax" held the number one position until "Boss" premiered. The Venice Film Festival competitor, featuring stars Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, accumulated 2.44 million total viewers but collected only 1.04 million during the crucial holiday week-falling behind the comedy newcomer.

Family-Friendly Formula Wins

Directed by Ra Hee-chan, "Boss" centers on the "Shikgu-pa" gang facing an unexpected dilemma: nobody wants to be boss. Three candidates-Soon-tae (Jo Woo-jin), who prefers running his Chinese restaurant; Kang-pyo (Jung Kyung-ho), consumed by his passion for tango; and Pan-ho (Park Ji-hwan), the only one who actually wants the position but lacks support-engage in a battle to avoid leadership rather than seize it.

The film's production budget was 7.8 billion won (approximately $5.8 million USD), with a break-even point set at 1.7 million admissions. "Boss" crossed this threshold by the holiday's final day, reaching profitability within six days of release.

Critical Dismissal, Public Embrace

Press screenings generated harsh reviews. Critics labeled the film a dated gangster comedy exploiting holiday audiences. Audience reactions remained divided between those appreciating its lighthearted entertainment and others finding it derivative and unfunny.

Despite professional criticism, families seeking accessible comedy during the national holiday chose "Boss" overwhelmingly. The film served as the only family-appropriate Korean release competing against animation titles and Park's more cerebral thriller.

"The Ax" Falls Short of Expectations

Park Chan-wook's "The Ax," adapted from Donald E. Westlake's novel, premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival before opening domestically on September 24th. The black comedy thriller follows a laid-off worker who adopts extreme measures in his job search.

Marketing positioned the film as mainstream entertainment, potentially misleading audiences expecting straightforward comedy rather than Park's signature dark sophistication. While "The Ax" surpassed two million viewers, declining momentum suggests it won't match Park's biggest commercial success, "Joint Security Area" (5.8 million admissions in 2000).

Box Office Dynamics

The Chuseok results underscore unpredictable audience preferences during holidays. Festival-circuit prestige and A-list casts don't guarantee success when families prioritize uncomplicated entertainment over artistic ambition.

"Boss" currently projects to reach 2 million viewers shortly, with potential to approach 3 million depending on third-week performance. Meanwhile, "The Ax" appears headed toward approximately 2.5-3 million total admissions-respectable but below initial projections given its pedigree.

The competition included anime releases "Chainsaw Man: The Movie - Reze Arc" and "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train," which collectively drew substantial audiences, further fragmenting the market.

Industry Implications

This year's Chuseok reaffirms that holiday audiences prioritize shared family experiences over individual artistic appreciation. "Boss" succeeded not through innovation or critical endorsement but by fulfilling the specific demands of festival moviegoers seeking lighthearted escapism.

The outcome demonstrates the continued viability of mid-budget comedies targeting seasonal windows, even as Korean cinema increasingly focuses on high-concept projects designed for international festivals and awards consideration.

Box office data sourced from Korean Film Council's integrated cinema ticket network through October 9, 2025