Looks like THE CHASER continues to hold up nicely, taking the top spot at the box office for a third weekend in a row. THE CHASER has a little over 3 million admissions now, making it a solid hit, and since it is still No. 1, I am guessing it has a good shot at beating FOREVER THE MOMENT to become the biggest hit of the year so far.

Not much else noteworthy in the top-10 this week. But down at No. 15 is the sad, sad opening of Hong Sang-soo’s latest, NIGHT & DAY. Just 3,800 admissions in its first three days (or about $28,000). Wow. Is that the worst showing ever for a Hong Sang-soo film?

Looks like Korea is no country for NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. In its second weekend, NO COUNTRY landed in 13th, and has had just 37,000 admissions since it opened.

This Week Title…………………………………….. Release Date Screens Nationwide Weekend Revenue (bil. won) Total Revenue (bil. won)
1. The Chaser (Chugyeokja – Korean) 2.14 490 4.29 18.90
2. Vantage Point 2.28 353 2.34 2.75
3. Babo – Korean 2.28 342 2.17 2.58
4. Jumper 2.14 325 0.91 10.43
5. The Spiderwick Chronicles 2.14 229 0.62 3.73
6. Deathnote L: Change the World 2.21 279 0.35 2.06
7. Rambo 4 2.28 262 0.34 0.45
8. Fool’s Gold 2.28 168 0.24 0.28
9. Kungfu Dunk 2.28 190 0.20 0.25
10. War 2.28 170 0.19 0.22

(Source: KOBIS – Figures represent 97% of nationwide box office)

Crazy week coming up for new releases. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (yeah!), MY NEW PARTNER (ugh), 27 DRESSES (I’m always the bridesmaid…), ASSEMBLY (starts okay, but turns into Chinese propaganda in the second half), and MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS (getting a massive push on OCN, but I fear it is an inferior Wong Kar Wai film). Lots of competition for early March.