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South Korean Box Office: 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' Dominates for Second Consecutive Week
Entertainment

South Korean Box Office: 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' Dominates for Second Consecutive Week

authorBy Roger Ebert
DateApr 20, 2026
Read Time2 min

The domestic horror-thriller film, 'Salmokji: Whispering Water,' has once again topped the charts in the South Korean box office, holding its premier position for the weekend spanning April 17–19.

This chilling narrative, directed by Lee Sang-min and featuring the talents of Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jong-won, centers on a road-view camera crew's terrifying encounters at a secluded reservoir. During its second weekend, the movie amassed an impressive $3.3 million from 472,121 viewers, capturing a significant 50% share of the total weekend earnings. Distributed by Showbox, the film's total revenue has now climbed to $10.2 million, with over 1.46 million admissions since its release. In other box office news, 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling, secured the second spot with an additional $1.3 million, bringing its cumulative earnings to $17.5 million. 'The King's Warden,' a historical drama, continued its remarkable performance by adding $712,905, pushing its total attendance to 16.5 million. While its pace has moderated in its eleventh week, it remains on track to become the second most-watched film in Korean history, nearing the record set by 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents.' Furthermore, the identity drama 'My Name,' directed by Chung Ji-young and featuring Yeom Hye-ran and Shin Woo-bin, debuted in fourth place. This film delves into themes of identity and historical trauma, recounting a boy's struggle with his feminine name and his mother's resurfacing memories of the 1948 Jeju April 3 Uprising, resonating with critical acclaim from its Berlin Film Festival screening.

As 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' continues its successful run, the overall film market experienced a slight decline from the previous week, totaling $6.6 million. The top ten also saw animated feature 'Goat' entering at fifth, the re-release of Miyazaki Hayao's 'Kiki’s Delivery Service' at sixth, and the action-thriller 'Shelter' at seventh. Additionally, the American action-thriller 'Normal' debuted in eighth, while a re-release of 'The Truman Show' and the Japanese sports anime 'Haikyu!!: The Dumpster Battle' rounded out the top ten.

The continued success of diverse films in the South Korean market, from local horror to international dramas and animated classics, illustrates the dynamic and varied tastes of its audience. This vibrant cinematic landscape offers a rich tapestry of stories, encouraging viewers to explore different genres and perspectives, fostering both cultural reflection and escapist entertainment.

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