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Salmokji Leads South Korean Box Office with 536,454 Viewers

4/13/2026

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Salmokji: The Whispering Water topped the South Korean box office in its opening weekend with 536,454 viewers and 724,039 cumulative admissions after its April 8 release.
In second place, Project Hail Mary earned 274,733 viewers.
The King’s Warden reached 16.39 million admissions, becoming the second-most-watched film in South Korean history.

History

Historical Context

South Korea's film industry began revitalizing in the late 1990s, following the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which prompted chaebols to support emerging filmmakers. The 2006 Korean Film Promotion Act further transformed the industry, leading to a 50% increase in domestic film admissions by 2010. Today, films like "The Whispering Water" continue to showcase the resilience and popularity of South Korean cinema.

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Story summary

Salmokji: The Whispering Water topped the South Korean box office in its opening weekend with 536,454 viewers and 724,039 cumulative admissions after its April 8 release.
In second place, Project Hail Mary earned 274,733 viewers.
The King’s Warden reached 16.39 million admissions, becoming the second-most-watched film in South Korean history.

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