The film The Hidden Face is creating a box office sensation, securing the top spot in the Korean film category for 12 consecutive days. Showcasing the unique elements of the locked-room thriller genre and stellar performances by Song Seung-heon, Jo Yeo-jeong, and Park Ji-hyun, this R-rated movie is demonstrating strong potential for long-term success in theaters.
The film The Hidden Face follows the story of Seong-jin (Song Seung-heon) as he searches for his fiancée Soo-yeon (Jo Yeo-jeong) after her mysterious disappearance, and Mi-joo (Park Ji-hyun), who becomes entangled in the investigation. As Soo-yeon's whereabouts are revealed, a secretive locked room and a series of shocking twists keep audiences on edge. With its meticulous storyline and unique premise, the movie is becoming a must-watch for the holiday season.
According to the Korean Film Council's integrated database on December 2, The Hidden Face drew approximately 209,000 viewers from November 29 to December 1, reaching a cumulative total of about 725,000 viewers. This marks the highest second-weekend box office score for an R-rated Korean film released in the past five years. The movie also achieved a seat occupancy rate of 23.5%, standing out amid fierce competition with other new releases.
Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Many viewers praised the film, stating that "the acting is phenomenal" and describing it as "a masterpiece in the thriller genre." The direction and performances were also lauded, with comments such as "flawless direction and acting" and "the film is bold and groundbreaking in every way." The tightly woven narrative has been highlighted as a standout feature, with one viewer noting that "the plot kept me on edge throughout," while others remarked on its intensity, saying "the intensity is on another level" and "it's been a while since we've had such a high-quality R-rated movie." The film’s innovative and fresh approach also left audiences impressed, with one stating, "it was full of surprises from start to finish."
With critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm, The Hidden Face is solidifying its place as one of the standout films of the year.
Meanwhile, the animated film Moana 2 and the musical movie Wicked also performed strongly at the box office during the same period. Moana 2 attracted approximately 1.07 million viewers over the weekend and grossed $221 million (approximately 3.099 trillion KRW) during the Thanksgiving holiday in North America. This achievement surpasses the domestic record of Frozen 2, which drew 13.76 million viewers in Korea, setting a new milestone in the history of animated films. Additionally, the movie earned $57.5 million (approximately 806 billion KRW) on its opening day alone, marking the third-highest opening-day revenue for an animated film.
The musical film Wicked garnered approximately 334,000 viewers during the same period, ranking second in both domestic and international box offices, with a cumulative audience of about 1.195 million. In North America, the film grossed $260 million (approximately 3.646 trillion KRW) in its second week of release, setting unprecedented records for a musical adaptation of a Broadway production. It also achieved the highest Thanksgiving holiday box office revenue in history, heating up theaters worldwide.
Despite the strong performance of these international releases, The Hidden Face stood out as a domestic R-rated film. Its unique locked-room setting and unpredictable twists offered audiences a fresh and thrilling experience. The story, filled with layer upon layer of unexpected turns, heightened immersion and garnered acclaim as a genre-defining film. Balancing commercial appeal with artistic value, The Hidden Face has captured attention, with many anticipating its potential for long-term box office success.