[Movie 2019-2020] Ashfall / Baekdusan, 백두산 - No Option For Failure

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2020.01.07 ASHFALL at # 1 Korean Box Office with 7.6 million audience admission

Source: KoBiz

 

January 6, 2020

 

ASHFALL Scores 3rd Weekend Win
FORBIDDEN DREAM Remains in 2nd, MIDWAY Debuts in 3rd

 

by Pierce Conran KOFIC

 

The first weekend of 2020 was dominated by titles from the end of last year, particularly local films which accounted for 67% of all sales. Overall, 1.87 million tickets were sold over the three-day period.

 

Taking its third weekend crown was the local disaster action-drama smash ASHFALL with HA Jung-woo and LEE Byung-hun. The film slowed 53% as 565,000 new viewers (USD 4.27 million) were recorded, pushing its total to a powerful 7.48 million admissions (USD 54.3 million).

 

 

Sticking around in second place after a slight 38% slide was the well-received period bromance Forbidden Dream with CHOI Min-shik and HAN Suk-kyu. The HUR Jin-ho drama added 343,000 sales (USD 2.55 million), pushing its 11-day total to 1.61 million entries (USD 11.47 million).

 

The Hollywood World War II drama Midway kicked off with 306,000 spectators (USD 2.33 million) during its debut weekend with 670,000 seats (USD 4.99 million) filled over its first six days.

 

The comedy-drama START-UP kicked up another 264,000 sales (USD 2 million) after dropping 43% in its third weekend. To date, the film has welcomed a robust 3.04 million admissions (USD 22.07 million).

 

The Disney smash hit animated film Frozen 2 sold another 113,000 tickets (USD 849,000), raising its haul to 13.59 million (USD 97.39 million), the sixth highest total ever for any film in the Korean market.

 

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is finally opening in Korea this week, two weeks after most of the world and with very little fanfare, though with little competition in its way it may score a first place debut. Also opening will be the Robert DOWNEY Jr. vehicle Dolittle.

 

Clip: CJ Entertainment

 

Laughter explosion 

BAEKDUSAN NG explosion collection 

 

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Source: CJ Entertainment

 

The moment of disaster!
Disaster Response Types as Characters 
Comment on your most sympathetic coping type
Receive BAEKDUSAN advance ticket through lottery  (~ 1/9)

 

January 3, 2020

 

Korean Theaters Sell 227 Million Tickets in Record Year
10 Million Viewer Film Club Grows by 5
 

by Pierce Conran KOFIC

Korea’s film industry ended 2019 with a bang, as local disaster action-drama ASHFALL lorded over the charts at the tail end of a massive 12 months. It was a record-breaking year for the exhibition sector, which sold a record 226.68 million tickets, among several new box office benchmarks, while local films claimed a majority share for the ninth year in a row.

 

This year’s total marked a 4.8% rise over last year’s 216.39 million entries, and a 3% swell over the previous record holder, which was 2017’s 219.88 million admissions. Korean films accounted for 51% of that, which amounted to 115.62 million tickets, the third highest figure on record, behind 2013’s 127.29 million and 2016’s 116.56 million.

 

Overall sales reached KRW 1.91 trillion (USD 1.65 billion), a 5.5% gain on last year’s KRW 1.81 trillion (USD 1.57 billion), the previous benchmark. Sales of local films also soared to a new high, with KRW 970.8 billion (USD 838.75 million) of revenue generated, eclipsing 2016’s KRW 927.9 billion (USD 801.68 million).

 

2019 was also the first year to welcome five new films to the ten million admissions club, trouncing 2016’s record of four. If ASHFALL continues to perform well, the number for the year may yet rise to six. 

 

CJ Entertainment’s Extreme Job was the first to pass the mark this year and went on to attract 16.26 million viewers, the second highest total of all time behind 2014’s Roaring Currents (17.62 million). Walt Disney then scored the best overall result for a foreign film with Avengers: Endgame, which sold 13.93 million tickets. CJ did it again with BONG Joon-ho’s Palme d’Or-winning PARASITE (10.08 million), while Walt Disney reached the marked successively with Aladdin (12.55 million) and Frozen 2 (13.06 million and counting).

 

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With the inclusion of new movie releases this week (1/8),  ASHFALL is now down to number 3 at the Korean Box Office with 7.67 million admission. Still it's too early to say how things will go from here if the Korean public will  love the new Hollywood movies or vice-versa. It's another weekend coming when more tickets will be sold for the screening movies. Either way, ASHFALL has shown a great well-deserved performance since opening 3 weeks ago and will keep on fighting!

 Taking a break from Number 1

 

2020.01.08 ASHFALL at # 3  Korean Box Office with 7.67 million audience admission

Source: KoBiz

 

January 9, 2020

 

Even without a hit, studios are still spending big: Local blockbusters struggle to profit but expect more in 2020

 

Source: INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

 

Clockwise from top are scenes from new films coming up in 2020: the local sci-fi blockbuster “Seobok,” musical film “Hero,” drama film “The Man Standing Next” and comedy “Secret Zoo.” [CJ ENTERTAINMENT, SHOWBOX, ACEMAKER MOVIE WORKS]

The centennial of Korean cinema turned out to be a record-setting year, with 220 million movie tickets sold in 2019. While many local film distributors see the growing numbers as a sign that the industry is growing, the reality is that the business continues to struggle to make a profit at the box office.

 

For instance, “Ashfall,” which was released in December, raised eyebrows months before its release due to its immense production cost of 26 billion won ($22.4 million). In order for the film to reach its break-even point, it needed to sell 7.3 million tickets.

 

As of Tuesday, the film has sold 7.6 million admissions on its 20th day of release, but judging from slowing ticket sales and the upcoming release of films such as “Dolittle” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” this week, it seems the film will have trouble reaping a significant profit.

 

Over the past few years industry experts have seen a jump in the number of local big-budget films being made. According to an annual report released by the Korean Film Council, in 2018, the average production cost of 40 commercial films that qualify as big-budget films (costing over 3 billion won to make) was 7.9 billion won, an increase of 7.8 percent compared to 2017.

 

However, the estimated profit made from those 40 films was found to be a deficit of 17.3 percent, a sharp decline compared to the year before when it reached a surplus of 18 percent. This was the first deficit recorded since 2012, and experts say that the primary cause lies in the lack of popularity of big-budget movies.

 

Nevertheless, a slew of expensive films of various genres are on the docket and already generating a buzz, as studios hope to attract audiences with star-studded casts and advanced visual effects (VFX) technology.

 

One of the most anticipated projects of the year is the tentatively titled “Seungriho.” The film is the first local large-scale sci-fi movie and is reported to have cost 24 billion won to make. Director Jo Sung-hee, who achieved success for his 2012 romantic fantasy film “A Werewolf Boy,” and actor Song Joong-ki reunited for the film seven years after last working together.

 

Actor Kim Tae-ri will also appear in the film playing the lead role of a spaceship captain. Actor Yoo Hae-jin plays a robot, and his character is the first robot made through motion capture technology used in a local film. The character is being animated by VFX house Dexter Studios, who also created the effects in the “Along with the Gods” series (2017/2018) and “Ashfall.”

 

“Seobok” by director Lee Yong-ju is about a former agent from the information bureau (played by Gong Yoo) who is on the brink of death. He eventually meets the world’s first human clone named Seobok (played by Park Bo-gum) to learn the secret to eternal life. The film is said to have cost 16 billion won to make.

 

Another highly-anticipated title is director Yeon Sang-ho’s “The Peninsula,” which will take audiences to a world four years after the zombie apocalypse that erupted in “Train to Busan” (2016). The movie stars Kang Dong-won, whose character is on a mission to fight off the powerful zombies.

 

On a slightly different note, the film “Emergency Announcement” (tentatively titled) by director Han Jae-rim is set on an airplane on alert due to a viral epidemic happening outside. The 15-billion-won film stars the duo from “Joint Security Area” (2000) - actors Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun - playing characters working together to survive.

 

Stories related to North Korea are still a popular theme in the local film industry. The director of “The Berlin File” (2012), Ryu Seung-wan, is returning to the big screen through “Mogadishu,” which is based on a true story of workers from North and South Korean Embassies escaping the Somalia civil war in the 1990s. A cast of veteran actors including Zo In-sung, Kim Yoon-suk and Huh Joon-ho will appear in the film, which cost 15 billion won to make.

 

“Summit: Steel Rain” by director Yang Woo-suk places the three leaders of the United States, North and South Korea in jeopardy when they are trapped in a North Korean nuclear submarine. Actor Jung Woo-sung, who portrayed a North Korean spy agent in “Steel Rain” (2017) plays the South Korean president in this film, and Kwak Do-won plays a North Korean secondary leader who leads a military coup. The North leader is featured by Yoo Yeon-seok.

 

Many renowned directors are also expected to make a comeback this year. Director Lee Joon-ik, who was behind the black-and-white film “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet,” is back with black-and-white film “Jasaneobo” based on a historical figure Jeong Yak-jeon (1758-1816), who is a scholar from the Joseon Dynasty (1319-1910). “Jasaneobo” is the marine biology book that the scholar researched for and wrote during his 14-year-exile.

 

The film goes on to describe how the renowned scholar (played by actor Seol Kyung-gu) writes the book along with the help of a local peasant named Chang-dae (played by Byun Yo-han).

 

Director Yim Soon-rye is the first female director to work on a blockbuster worth more than10 billion won with her upcoming film “Bargain” (tentatively titled).  Actors Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin will take on the roles of a diplomat and a National Intelligence Service agent on a rescue mission to save a Korean kidnapped in the Middle East.

 

Director Yoon Jae-kyun is behind the first local musical film “Hero” about the independence activist Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910). Actor Jung Sung-hwa, who’s played Ahn on stage since 2009, will play the lead role.

 

BY NA WON-JEONG, KANG HYE-RAN AND LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]

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ASHFALL. Tears and Laughter

 

Source: CJ Entertainment

 

His daughter.

Meet Kim Si-A, the young acting genius.
Ri Jun Pyung x Sun Ok, reunion scene 

 

 

Art by 김그래

 

Baekdusan X Yes Yesterday's Movie
Personally, I laughed at that humor code a lot.

I hope everyone can see this movie on the big screen.

 

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ASHFALL is moving up to number 2 spot and gearing for another weekend at the  Korean box office. Anything is possible..

 

 Taking a break from Number 1

 

2020.01.09 ASHFALL at # 2  Korean Box Office with 7.7 million audience admission

Source: KoBiz

 

January 9, 2020

 

Volcano Disaster Flick Nears 3 Weeks at Top of Box Office
 

Source: The ChosunIlbo

Actor Lee Byung-hun's latest film "Ashfall" crossed its break-even point after attracting nearly 770 million moviegoers as of early this week.

 

The film, which cost W26 billion to make, created much hype with its star-studded cast including Ha Jung-woo and Su-zy, even before its release on Dec. 19 last year (US$1=W1,178).

 

According to the Korean Film Council, the volcano disaster flick is still drawing hordes of viewers, topping the box office for almost three weeks.

 

"Ashfall" depicts a group of people who try to stop a volcanic eruption of Mt. Baekdu in North Korea.

 

Source: CJ Entertainment

 

 

 

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Source: CJ Entertainment

 

Attraction Explosion!

BAEKDUSAN Scene Stealer
Charm of the EOD Crew

 

 

 

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ASHFALL is still at number two Korean Box Office, accumulating almost 7.8 million admission.

 

2020.01.10 ASHFALL at # 2  Korean Box Office with 7.78 million audience admission 

Source: KoBiz

 

January 9, 2020

 

Ha Jung-woo Talks About His Acting With Lee Byung-hun

 

By William Schwartz on HanCinema.net

 

 

This time last year the career of Ha Jung-woo was in a less than stellar position. His big Christmas flick "Take Point" did quite poorly at the box office, only taking in four hundred thousand admissions, with a yearlong gap until his next release. Nevertheless, "Ashfall" made up for that shortfall this year, and Ha Jung-woo will soon appear in "The Closet", a mystery genre horror thriller with Kim Nam-gil with low expectations that will almost certainly be exceeded.

 

In a recent interview Ha Jung-woo relished the chance to work with co-stars. He spoke highly of Lee Byung-hun in "Ashfall", describing his comedic style as being highly familiar through his other work, though this was their first collaboration. Ha Jung-woo said they were always watching each other for cues, clashing over the distinct objectives of their characters.

 

 

Though "Ashfall" is not a comedy, Ha Jung-woo has emphasized how his rapport with Lee Byung-hun was built on humor. As Ha Jung-woo saw it, Lee Byung-hun was playing the more traditional hero, as opposed to Ha Jung-woo's at times more bumbling character. Ha Jung-woo has also admitted that "Ashfall" had a predictable story, that he knew as much from his first script reading, but that the project appealed to him because of the opportunities for character expression.

 

According to Ha Jung-woo his scenes and Lee Byung-hun's scenes were filmed separately to maximize their mutual impact and culture clash. The electric shock scene was the first one where they met. Independence was also prioritized in terms of individual jokes, with Ha Jung-woo having more of an independent gag style.

 

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Beyond mere acting, Ha Jung-woo also had strong praise for Lee Byung-hun's stamina, describing him as having the energy of a twenty-something. Ha Jung-woo called Lee Byung-hun an acting machine in this regard. Of course, Ha Jung-woo is no slouch himself in this department, as following the release "The Closet" he will be set to start filming for "Boston 1947" and "Kidnapped".

 

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 ASHFALL back at number 3 Korean Box Office. Almost 7.9 million, a little bit more to cross the 8 million admission mark.

 

Life is like a yo-yo..

 

2020.01.09 ASHFALL at # 2  Korean Box Office with 7.7 million audience admission

Source: KoBiz

 

January 11, 2020

Backlash against South Korean movies that gambled on signs of peace with Kim Jong-un

Julian Ryall The Telegraph

South Korea’s latest all-action movie blockbuster has topped the box office since its release in late December, but is coming under fire for portraying a North Korean soldier as the hero and for saving his lacklustre South Korean counterpart.

 

The big-budget film, “Ashfall”, sees special forces from North and South teaming up to save the Korean Peninsula after Mount Baekdu erupts. Lee Byung-hun, who plays the North Korean officer, emerges as the hero and saves the peninsula from a volcano that is revered in the North as the mythical birthplace of Kim Jong-il, the father of the present North Korean dictator. 

 

Ashfall is one of a series of films and TV shows commissioned in 2018 when hopes were high of peace on the peninsula. But a barrage of rocket tests from the North and a breakdown in relations between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump has now left those dreams in tatters. North Korea is again the bad guy - except in the movies....

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January 12, 2020

 

"Ashfall's" box office has exceeded HK$15,000,000 surpassing the box office of "Parasite". 

 

 

[cadymcbronzie]

 

 

You can read the REVIEW: Korean disaster flick Ashfall balances explosive thrills with heartfelt characters here

 

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                    C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! 

                                                        

                A S H F A L L  8  M I L L I O N !

 

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2020.01.13 ASHFALL at # 2  Korean Box Office with 8.03 million audience admission 

 

Source: KoBiz

 

January 14, 2020

 

Korean Box Office: ‘Dolittle’ makes an impact with debut

 

BY LEE JAE-LIM INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily
 

Doctor Dolittle and his animal companions brighten up the sluggish local box office over for the weekend, selling an estimated 718,000 tickets in its debut. [UNIVERSAL PICTURES]

Robert Downey Jr. and his animal buddies took over the local box office for the weekend.

 

“Dolittle” attracted 718,0000 people to 1,290 screens in its debut weekend - not a bad start, but a mediocre opening considering that Korea was the first international market to get the film in 4DX. The Hollywood film was the first of three movies being released this month in Korea about animals. The other two, “Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP” and “Secret Zoo,” are scheduled to hit local theaters in the next two weeks.

 

The film tells the story of Doctor Dolittle (played by Downey), a famous but eccentric veterinarian with the ability to talk to animals. Dolittle travels around the world with the love of his life, his wife Lily, with his animal friends. However, when Lily dies during one of her voyages at sea, Dolittle becomes heartbroken and hides himself away in his mansion for years, with only his animals to keep him company.

 

But when Queen Victoria falls gravely ill, the entire kingdom’s fate is suddenly in the hands of Dolittle, as he is the only person who can travel to a mystic island to acquire an antidote for the queen with the help of his animal friends. The animals are voiced by stars such as Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, Kumail Nanjiani, Tom Holland, Craig Robinson and more.

 

Local disaster blockbuster “Ashfall” amazingly beat out heavy contender “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” by a narrow margin and held on to second place, drawing 265,000 moviegoers to 881 screens. According to the latest update from the Korean Film Council, the film has surpassed 8 million ticket sales as of Monday morning.

 

The ninth and final part of the “Skywalker saga” seems to have failed to earn approval from local fans, landing in third place for the first weekend. The Hollywood blockbuster was seen by only 262,000 people at 948 screenings. The film details the final battle between Rey, the last Jedi of the Resistance, and Kylo Ren of the First Order and ultimately, the Galactic Emperor Palpatine.

 

Local historical drama “Forbidden Dream” took the fourth spot after it was seen by 138,000 people at 685 screens.

 

War film “Midway” finished off the weekend in fifth place, gathering 103,000 moviegoers to 581 screens.

 

Ashfall Art by unhappiness5516

 

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2020.01.14 ASHFALL at # 2  Korean Box Office with 8.06 million audience admission 

 

Source: KoBiz

 

January 12, 2020

 

Korea Box Office: ‘Dolittle’ Crushes ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ in Clashing Debuts

By PATRICK FRATER Variety.com

Universal’s “Dolittle” crushed “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” in an unusual opening weekend clash at the South Korean box office.

 

“Dolittle” accounted for 40% of the nationwide theatrical total as it earned $5.37 million over the weekend from 718,000 tickets. That put it in first place and knocked Korean volcano disaster movie “Ashfall” from the top spot that it had occupied for three weeks. “Dolittle” had opened on Wednesday, and, including the week days, its five-day cumulative score was $6.84 million.

 

Korea was one of the first territories to get “Dolittle” and one of the last major markets to open Disney’s “Skywalker.” The two films enjoyed 1,290 screens and 948 screens respectively, pointing to an inferior per screen average for “Skywalker.”

“Skywalker” earned $2.16 million from 262,000 admissions over the weekend, and $3.09 million from 381,000 ticket sales over five days, having made the same Wednesday opening as “Dolittle.” Over the weekend “Skywalker” ranked second by admissions, and third by gross revenue, with a roughly 15% share of the market. No other new release film made it into the top ten.

 

CJ Entertainment’s “Ashfall” earned $2.04 million from 265,000 admissions on its fourth weekend of release. Its cumulative total since Dec. 19, 2019, now stands at $58.6 million from 8 million ticket sales.

Lotte CultureWorks’ historical drama “Forbidden Dream” earned $1.01 million in its third weekend of release. After three weekends, its cumulative is a modest $13.5 million from 1.89 million admissions.

 

Spoiler

 

U.S. war action film “Midway” took fifth place over the weekend with takings of $788,000. That gives it a total of $6.60 million after 12 days in Korean theaters.

 

In lower positions “Frozen 2” reached $98.9 million from a run that started on Nov. 21, 2019. In contrast, “Ford Vs Ferrari” now looks to be running out of road. On its sixth lap, it earned just $145,000, remaining in the points with a ninth place finish, and a cumulative $10.1 million on the clock since its Dec. 4, 2019 getaway. “Knives Out,” which released the same day, finished the Jan 10-12 weekend carving out $141,000 for tenth place. Its cumulative is now $5.56 million.

 

 

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ASHFALL is now down to number 4 at the Korean Box Office as new movies make their way to the cinemas. It's good to see another Korean topping the top ten. Baekdusan has done well leading an exciting race to the 8+ million admission mark and still being in the list, anything is possible. Well done!

 

2020.01.15 ASHFALL at #4 Korean Box Office with 8.08 million audience admission 

 

Source: KoBiz

 

 

Source: CJ Entertainment

Thank you audience of BAEKDUSAN

Long-term screening in cinemas 

Unforgettable Ashfall Moments

Celebrity Stills Public Disclosure 

 

 

 

Spoiler

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Spoiler

 

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January 13, 2020

 

DOLITTLE Tops Weekend Chart as STAR WARS Crashes in 3rd
ASHFALL Crosses 8 Million Admissions
 

by Pierce Conran KOFIC

Following a few weeks of local dominance, Hollywood briefly took back the weekend crown and the overall market share as admissions were down slightly to 1.77 million. Korean films claimed 31% of all ticket sales but should be back on top in a few days as more major domestic titles prepare to launch for the lucrative Lunar New Year period. 

 

Opening in Korea a week ahead of its US debut was the adventure fantasy Dolittle, with Robert DOWNEY Jr. in the lead. No doubt partly fueled by the star’s popularity in Korea as Iron Marvel in the long-running Marvel series, the film scored a first place debut with 718,000 entries (USD 5.36 million) over the weekend and total of 930,000 tickets (USD 6.82 million) sold over its first five days. Though an impressive start, competition will be fierce over the coming days and weeks as several new titles will be vying for the same audience.

 

Finally losing its crown during its fourth week in theaters was the local disaster action smash ASHFALL (2019). The film was down 53% and bagged another 265,000 viewers (USD 2.04 million), raising its total to an even 8 million admissions (USD 58.43 million), which will likely be the film’s final major milestone.

 

After a disappointing opening day start in second place, Disney’s tentpole Star Wars: The Rise of Starwalker lost even more steam as it wound up third on the weekend charts, even after having delayed its bow by two weeks, possibly in a bid to avoid local competition in the end-of-year season. The film debuted with 262,000 entries (USD 2.16 million) and has accrued 382,000 sales (USD 3.08 million) since Wednesday. 

 

When Disney rebooted the Star Wars series with The Force Awakens in 2015, there was already signs of a lack of interest as the film mustered just over three million viewers in Korea, far behind its record-breaking totals seen around the world. 2017’s The Last Jedi stumbled even further when it recorded just under one million admissions. The Rise of Starwalker appears to be continuing this downward trend as it looks like it may barely manage to cross the half million admissions mark.

 

Sliding 61% and two spots was the local period drama Forbidden Dream, which, despite strong reactions from audiences and critics, has found it difficult to overcome a slow start. The Lotte film added 138,000 sales (USD 1.01 million), boosting its total to 1.89 million admissions (USD 13.49 million) to date.

 

Down two spots and 67% was the Hollywood WWII film Midway, with another 103,000 seats filled (USD 786,000) and a total of 884,000 tickets (USD 6.59 million) sold.

 

Looking to top the charts this coming weekend will be the local comedy Secret Zoo, which has been garnering strong buzz ahead of its debut. 

 

Source: CJ Entertainment

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

Source: Google

 

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Source: CJ Entertainment

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

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Still in the running.. 

 

2020.01.16 ASHFALL at #4 Korean Box Office with 8.1 million audience admission 

 

Source: KoBiz

 

Source: CJ Entertainment

BAEKDUSAN Behind the scenes of disasters

Check out the VFX scenes 

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

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Source: CJ Entertainment

 

Team ASHFALL   Thank you message

Thank you 8 million Cutie Petite Audience 

 

 

 

 

 

Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2020.01.10 ~ 2020.01.12

 

Source: HanCinema.net

 

Spoiler

 

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Every day is another chance..

 

2020.01.17 ASHFALL at #4 Korean Box Office with 8.12 million audience admission 

 

Source: KoBiz

 

Source: Soompi // Suzy

 

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Source: CJ Entertainment // Instagram 25_jw

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

Source: Google review