Korea Box Office: ‘Once We Were Us’ Leads Again as ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Hits $50M

South Korea’s box office continues to showcase the strength of local cinema while welcoming Hollywood blockbusters. According to KOBIS data from the Korean Film Council, romance drama Once We Were Us held the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive weekend, while James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash crossed a major milestone.

Local Romance Dominates

Directed by Kim Do-young, Once We Were Us earned $2.1 million from 316,411 admissions over the weekend. Starring Koo Kyo-hwan and Moon Ga-young, the film is a Korean remake of the 2018 Chinese melodrama Us and Them. The story follows two former lovers who reunite a decade later, confronting their past and lost dreams. The film has now grossed $10.4 million from 1.5 million admissions, cementing its popularity with domestic audiences.

‘Avatar’ Surpasses $50 Million

In second place, Avatar: Fire and Ash added $1.5 million, bringing its cumulative total to $50.4 million from 6.3 million admissions since its December release. Despite strong competition from local titles, Cameron’s sci-fi epic maintains a 20.9% revenue share, proving its staying power in the Korean market.

Musical Drama Rises

Choir of God climbed to third place with $779,915 from 114,841 admissions. Directed by Kim Hyeong-hyeop, the film marks actor Park Si-hoo’s big-screen return. Its storyline centers on efforts to bypass sanctions by collaborating with a Hungarian NGO to build churches in Pyongyang. The film has now grossed $2.8 million.

New Local Entries

Two fresh releases entered the top five. Animated feature Shinbi’s Haunted House: One More Summon debuted in fourth with $696,114, based on the popular Shinbi Apartment franchise. Romantic comedy Heartman: Rock and Love followed in fifth, earning $684,213. Directed by Choi Won-sub, the film stars Kwon Sang-woo and Moon Chae-won in a tale of rekindled love and comedic chaos.

Other Highlights

Disney’s Zootopia 2 slipped to sixth place but remains a powerhouse with $55.1 million in Korea. Local romance Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight ranked seventh, adding $187,767 for a $5.4 million total. Animated adventure Gogo Dino Movie: Insect World Adventure debuted in eighth with $98,447, followed by Crayon Shinchan: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers and a revival of The First Slam Dunk.

A Balanced Box Office

The mix of local romances, animated features, and global tentpoles reflects the diversity of South Korea’s film market. With Once We Were Us leading and Avatar: Fire and Ash crossing $50 million, audiences are embracing both heartfelt domestic stories and blockbuster spectacle.