Leading the Lunar New Year box office race, Hitman 2 has already captivated audiences on its opening day.
Premiering on January 22, Hitman 2 recorded a reservation rate of 21% (79,000 tickets) by 10 a.m. through the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing system, placing it second on the list. Topping the chart is Dark Nuns, set to release on January 24, with a 36% reservation rate. Meanwhile, Harbin, starring Hyunbin, which had dominated the box office for 29 days, fell to fifth place with a 4% reservation rate (15,000 tickets).
Early audience reviews have been overwhelmingly positive:
“Absolutely hilarious! The fresh concept keeps it engaging, and I’m glad I caught it on opening day—what a perfect way to start the morning with laughter!”
“Even better than the first movie! Perfect for the holiday season and just the kind of comedy we need right now.”
“This is the kind of movie you can watch with your family and laugh your heart out during the holidays. Highly recommend!”
“I laughed so hard I cried! Definitely bringing my parents to watch it again.”
“I didn’t see the first one, but this sequel was so entertaining—time flew by. I’ll be recommending it to my family for the long holiday!”
“Even funnier than expected. The chemistry between the cast is fantastic, and it’s so easy to enjoy without overthinking.”
“We’ve been lacking good comedies lately, but this one hits the mark. I couldn’t stop laughing in the theater!”
As of noon on January 22, the film boasts a remarkable 9.61 out of 10 audience rating on Naver.
Directed by Choi Won-seop, Hitman 2 is the sequel to the 2020 hit Hitman, which managed to draw 2.4 million viewers during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it the fourth-highest-grossing Korean film that year. With a production budget of 8.5 billion won, Hitman 2 needs at least 2.3 million viewers to break even, aiming to surpass its predecessor's success.
The film follows Jun (played by Kwon Sang-woo), a former National Intelligence Service (NIS) assassin turned webtoon artist, who gets entangled in a terrorist incident inspired by his latest work. Compared to the original, the sequel is praised for its expanded scale, featuring more explosive action sequences, enhanced animation, and a polished visual experience.
Reflecting on the first film, Kwon Sang-woo expressed, “Many audiences who couldn’t see it in theaters due to COVID-19 watched it through streaming platforms. If not for the pandemic, it could have performed even better.”
This time, the sequel also highlights supporting characters, with increased screen time for Jung Joon-ho as Jun’s NIS superior, Deok-gyu, and Lee Yi-kyung as ace agent Cheol. The dynamic between Kwon Sang-woo and Hwang Woo-seul-hye as an on-screen couple adds another layer of humor and charm.
At a press conference on January 15 at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall, director Choi Won-seop revealed, “I planned for this to be a series from the beginning. With Hitman 2, I wanted to offer a variety of entertainment, including action, art, and animation.” He also hinted at the potential for a third installment, saying, “If this one resonates with audiences, a third movie is definitely possible.”
Hitman 2 kicks off the Lunar New Year box office competition, with more films slated for release. On January 24, the occult thriller Dark Nuns starring Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Yeo-been, and the comedy Ghost Police featuring Shin Hyun-joon and the late Kim Soo-mi, will hit theaters. On January 28, the fantasy romance Secret: Untold Melody, starring Do Kyung-soo and Won Jin-ah, is set to premiere.
Distributed by By4M Studio, Hitman 2 has a runtime of 118 minutes and is rated 15+. Following the success of Firefighters last month, all eyes are on By4M Studio to see if they can dominate the Lunar New Year box office once again.