Starring Park Ji-hyun and Choi Si-won from Super Junior, film, ‘Forbidden Fairytale,’ is off to a flying start, dominating the box office on its opening day.
According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticket sales network on January 9, the movie drew 20,343 viewers on its first day (January 8), securing the top spot among new releases. Remarkably, it outperformed heavyweight international titles like Michael Mann’s ‘Ferrari’ and ‘Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction: Part 1.’ Overall, ‘Forbidden Fairytale’ also ranked second in the day’s total box office, just behind the big-budget Korean blockbuster ‘Harbin,’ which cost 30 billion KRW to produce.
Rated R for adult audiences, ‘Forbidden Fairytale’ is a provocative comedy that tells the story of Dan-bi (played by Park Ji-hyun), who dreams of becoming a children’s book author but works as an obscenity inspector for the Broadcasting and Communications Commission. By a twist of fate, she ends up becoming a writer of adult web novels.
Dan-bi accidentally signs a slave contract with Hwang Chang-seob (Sung Dong-il), a publishing mogul in the adult fiction world, and discovers an unexpected talent for crafting risqué stories. This raunchy yet comedic film chronicles her misadventures in the genre she never imagined herself in. Choi Si-won plays Park Ji-hyun's colleague, Kang Jung-seok, a team leader in the same division with her. Sung Dong-il brings his comedic prowess as Hwang Chang-seob, a publishing CEO, while Park Geon-il plays a famous adult fiction author, known as “Erotica King.”
This film marks Park Ji-hyun’s first venture into comedy, following her acclaimed performances in ‘Reborn Rich’ and ‘Hidden Face.’ Her fearless performance has been a key highlight, complemented by Choi Si-won and Sung Dong-il’s impeccable comedic timing. Critics have praised the cast’s strong chemistry for elevating the film’s humor.
Upon release, the film scored an impressive 9.35 from audience reviews on Naver, with viewers praising its refreshing take on Korean comedy. Comments highlighted Park Ji-hyun’s lovable and flawless performance, the film’s bold and hilarious humor, and its ability to provide nonstop laughter throughout the runtime.
Many applauded its spicy yet tasteful execution as an adult comedy, describing it as a fiery and funny fairy tale that perfectly blends humor and provocation. Additionally, the strong comedic ensemble of Park Ji-hyun, Choi Si-won, and Sung Dong-il was lauded for making the movie a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Distributed by Media Can, ‘Forbidden Fairytale’ was produced by Gold Dog Entertainment and Soo Jak Films, with Filcon Studio co-producing. Riding a wave of strong word-of-mouth since its release, the film is positioned to continue its box office success in the coming weeks.
With its unique premise, stellar performances, and audience buzz, ‘Forbidden Fairytale’ has all the makings of a breakout hit in Korean cinema.