An unreleased film is creating buzz, capturing the hearts of audiences before its debut.
The film, Dark Nuns, starring Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Yeo-been, ranked second in the "Most Anticipated Movies of the Week" survey for the third week of January. Conducted by data consulting firm PMI via the Heypoll platform, the survey revealed that Dark Nuns garnered an 11.4% response rate, solidifying its status as a highly anticipated release ahead of its January 24 debut.
A Battle Against Evil
Dark Nuns tells the gripping story of two nuns, Yoonia (Song Hye-kyo) and Michaela (Jeon Yeo-been), who perform a forbidden ritual to save a boy possessed by a powerful demon. As a spinoff of the 2015 box office hit The Priests, which attracted over 5.4 million viewers, the film has raised expectations among fans of the genre.
The movie also marks Song Hye-kyo’s return to the big screen after an 11-year hiatus, adding to the anticipation. In the role of Sister Yoonia, Song delivers a performance filled with tension and suspense as her character uncovers shocking truths and hidden secrets while battling a formidable evil. Jeon Yeo-been’s portrayal of Sister Michaela adds further depth and intensity to the film, creating a dynamic pairing that promises to leave a lasting impression.
Riding the Wave of Genre Success
Released strategically ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, Dark Nuns aims to capture the holiday box office, positioning itself favorably against other upcoming releases like Secret: Untold Melody (January 28). Following the success of the occult thriller Exhuma, which drew 10 million viewers last year, Dark Nuns seeks to solidify its place in the genre's growing popularity.
In the same survey, the top spot went to Harbin, starring Hyun Bin, which recounts the story of Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun’s 1909 Harbin assassination mission. Harbin has dominated the box office for over 20 consecutive days, nearing the 4.5 million viewer milestone.
Coming in third was Firefighters, based on the real-life 2001 Hongje-dong fire tragedy. The film highlights the courage and sacrifices of firefighters, delivering an emotional and realistic portrayal of their lives.
As Dark Nuns prepares for its debut, all eyes are on whether the film can surpass expectations and solidify its place as a genre-defining success in Korean cinema.
