It's a case of adding insult to injury. After the competing film 'Spider-Man' opened and then the lead actor Hwang Jung-min faced personal life allegations, the film "Hope" ultimately could not avoid a decline.
According to the integrated box office computer network on the 31st, Hope (director Na Hong-jin) drew 67,625 viewers on the 30th alone, ranking second at the box office. It was a decline from 87,927 on the 29th, bringing total attendance to 3,774,775.
The No. 1 film that day was 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' (director Destin Cretton), which drew 441,568 viewers in one day during the same period, leaving Hope far behind.
Because 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' was only in its second day of release, Hope's box office ranking was inevitable, but the bigger problem is that attendance has been steadily declining. On the weekdays of the 27th and 28th it exceeded 100,000, but after the release of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' it failed to surpass 100,000 and attendance steadily decreased. In addition, Christopher Nolan's new film 'Odissey', set to open on Aug. 5, is also in serious trouble.
Moreover, Hope suffered a hit when its lead actor Hwang Jung-min became embroiled in personal life allegations. After the allegations about Hwang Jung-min surfaced, attendance fell by about 20,000 people in a single day. Because the allegations concern the lead actor, it is interpreted that the work inevitably would be affected to some extent.
Earlier on the 29th, posts exposing allegations about Hwang Jung-min's personal life were published mainly on social media. The accuser, identified as A, claimed on their social media that they had an inappropriate relationship with Hwang Jung-min and released recorded audio and mobile messenger chat captures.
Hwang Jung-min's side said of A, "a stalking crime suspect who continuously harassed," and "we filed a criminal complaint against the author. The court imposed provisional measures such as restraining orders against the suspect three times and, recognizing the stalking charges, issued a summary order for a fine of 3 million won," the official position said.
Although Hwang Jung-min's side made clear that A is a "stalking crime suspect," the accuser's claims have continued, and repercussions are ongoing. Interest in the work has shifted to the personal life allegations. The controversy occurred at a time when Hope was approaching 4 million cumulative viewers, making it regrettable.
It remains to be seen whether Hope can surpass the break-even point estimated at 7 million viewers amid the release of the powerful competing film 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and the lead actor's personal life allegations.
[Photo] Provided by Plus M Entertainment.
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