Melania Movie Hits 10.4 Billion Won in Surprise Opening

EN brief: 영화 '멜라니아', 첫주 104억원 깜짝 흥행…평가는 극과극 (culture) + 1 glossary term.

Summary

The biographical film 'Melania' has made a significant splash at the box office, recording approximately 10.4 billion won (roughly $7.8 million USD) in ticket sales during its first week of release. This performance has caught industry analysts by surprise, as the film faced stiff competition and a crowded release schedule.

Despite the strong financial start, the film is currently at the center of a heated debate among viewers and critics alike. The audience reception is notably split, reflecting the complex public persona of the film's subject.

Initial reports suggest that the film's marketing strategy and the high level of public curiosity regarding the former First Lady's life contributed to the opening week's success. However, it remains to be seen if this momentum can be sustained in the coming weeks.

Industry experts are closely watching the 'word-of-mouth' effect, which will likely determine whether the film becomes a long-term hit or fades quickly due to the divided critical reception.

Full story (translated & rewritten)

The film 'Melania' has officially entered the box office rankings with an impressive opening week total of 10.4 billion won. According to data from the Korean Film Council and international distributors, the movie attracted a large volume of viewers immediately upon its debut, exceeding initial conservative estimates. This financial milestone is particularly noteworthy given the current global economic climate affecting cinema attendance.

However, the '흥행' (box office success) is being met with a '극과 극' (polarizing) response from the public. On major review platforms, ratings are heavily clustered at the extreme ends of the scale—either five stars or one star—with very little middle ground. Supporters of the film praise its cinematography and the lead actress's portrayal, while critics argue the narrative is either too sympathetic or lacks sufficient depth.

While the article does not specify the exact number of screens the film opened on, it notes that the '깜짝' (surprise) element stems from the fact that it outperformed several big-budget action blockbusters released in the same window. The film's performance in the Korean market specifically has been highlighted as a key contributor to its early international success.

As of now, the production team has not released an official statement regarding the polarized reviews, focusing instead on the promotional tour. Cultural commentators suggest that the film's success is a testament to the enduring global interest in political figures as pop-culture icons, regardless of the artistic consensus on the film itself.

Context

• Biographical films about political figures often trigger intense public debate in Korea, leading to high engagement on social media.
• The term '10 billion won' is often used as a benchmark for a 'successful' opening for mid-to-large scale productions in the local market.
• Audience 'rating wars' (평점 테러) are a common phenomenon for controversial subjects, where users intentionally drive scores up or down.

Source

• Link: https://www.koreancenter.or.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1305657

Next Steps

When reading Korean entertainment news, look for the word '흥행' to quickly identify if a movie is a commercial hit. You will often see it paired with '성공' (success) or '참패' (failure). Keep an eye on how 'word-of-mouth' (입소문) affects these numbers over the next few weeks!