Korean comedy 'Hi-Five' hits million-ticket milestone
Superhero farce becomes fifth domestic film to reach benchmark this year, though critical reception remains divided
Korean comedy "Hi-Five" crossed one million admissions on Saturday, marking a milestone for local cinema amid generally favorable but mixed audience reactions.
According to the Korean Film Council's latest box office data, the superhero comedy reached 1,040,358 total admissions as of Saturday evening, hitting the benchmark nine days after its May 30 release. The film ranked second in daily ticket sales with 134,333 admissions, trailing only the Hollywood live-action remake "How to Train Your Dragon," which pulled in 165,319 tickets for the day, following its June 6 debut.
"Hi-Five" maintained its momentum on Sunday, adding another 110,149 admissions to bring its running total to approximately 1.15 million.
The latest effort by director Kang Hyung-cheol ("Scandal Makers," "Sunny") joins four other Korean films that have surpassed the million-ticket mark so far this year. "Yadang: The Snitch" leads the pack with 3,375,154 admissions, followed by "Hitman 2" (2,547,598), "The Match" (2,145,532), and "Dark Nuns" (1,670,559).
Despite reaching the milestone, "Hi-Five" still falls short of the reported 2.9 million ticket sales needed to recoup its 15 billion won ($11 million) production budget.
The film follows five individuals who gain supernatural abilities after each receives an organ transplant from a mysterious donor. When a shadowy cult seeks to steal their powers, the unlikely heroes must join forces to fight back.
Lee Jae-in anchors the ensemble as a super-strong teenager, supported by Ahn Jae-hong's character who wields hurricane-force breath, Ra Mi-ran as a yogurt seller harboring secret abilities, Kim Hee-won as a factory worker blessed with healing powers, and Yoo Ah-in as a hipster wannabe capable of manipulating electronics.
Though overall reception has been generally positive, opinions remain notably split. On local search engine Naver, viewers awarded the film a generous 8.30 out of 10 rating, while users on the film review site Watchapedia gave it a more modest 3.2 out of 5.
'Hi-Five' began its international rollout with a June 6 premiere in Cambodia. It heads to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei on June 12, followed by releases in Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan and East Timor on June 13. Audiences in Hong Kong and Macao can catch the film starting June 19.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
41 minutes ago
- Korea Herald
Korea Herald organizes golf tournament in support of Hangeul promotion
The Korea Herald, South Korea's leading English-language daily, hosted a charity golf tournament Wednesday to celebrate its 72nd year and reaffirm its dedication to promoting Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Held at Serenity Country Club in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, the event drew approximately 300 participants, including Sejong City Mayor Choi Min-ho, prominent business leaders, artists and professional golfers. Corporate sponsors included Yes24 and some 20 additional firms. The tournament, organized in a shotgun format, featured 60 teams. Kim Jong-cheon, the head of Mariee de el Wedding Convention, won first place, while Kim Chang-ryong, former Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, placed second. The golf tournament was followed by a banquet. At the dinner event, tenor Yang Seung-ho and soprano Kim Jung-ah performed, as well as musical actor Lim Tae-kyung. Various prizes and raffle events were also offered to the golf tournament participants. Following the dinner, a charity auction showcased donated works by contemporary sculptors Kwon Chi-gyu, Kim Kyung-min, Lee Wal-chong, 5311 and MeME. A portion of event proceeds, including the auction, will go to support the expansion and enrichment of Sup Sogui Hosu, the world's first Korean language village, located within the Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1999, the village offers immersive, 24-hour Korean language education. The event also included the announcement of the 2025 Hangeul Run, scheduled for Hangeul Day on Oct. 9. Co-hosted by Herald Media Group and Sejong City, the marathon is expected to draw 10,000 participants. Courses will span symbolic distances of 10.9 kilometers — representing Hangeul Day — and 5.15 kilometers, in honor of King Sejong's birthday on May 15. 'We will create conditions for future generations around the world to communicate and form strong bonds through Hangeul,' said Herald Corp. Chairman Jung Won-ju during the event, adding, 'I hope today's event goes beyond being just a sports competition and becomes a gathering where we unite in pursuit of a greater goal.' 'Hangeul is not just a simple writing system, but a 'language of hope' that connects people and communities,' said Choi Jin-young, CEO and publisher of Herald Media Group. 'We will do our part as a seed in opening the future of a great Korea,' said Choi.
Korea Herald
19 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Former Riize member Seunghan to debut solo in July under new identity 'XngHan'
Some international fans still call for the K-pop singer's return, blaming SM Entertainment for his departure XngHan, formerly Seunghan of SM Entertainment's boy group Riize, is set to return to the spotlight with his solo debut in late July — nearly nine months after stepping away from the group amid personal controversies. According to SM Entertainment on Thursday, the singer will now promote under the stage name 'XngHan,' a stylized form of his Korean name pronounced the same but spelled with an 'X' to signify 'infinite potential and crossover.' The agency said the new name reflects his ambition to defy fixed stereotypes and limitations as an artist. 'This new journey begins in July, and XngHan aims to craft boundary-pushing performances and experiences with creatives who align with his evolving vision,' SM Entertainment said in a statement. XngHan debuted as a member of Riize in September 2023, but halted all activities just two months later amid growing backlash over his private life. Controversy first emerged in August that year, before the group's debut, when several private photos were leaked online, including one of him lying in bed with a woman and another showing him smoking in public in Japan. He also faced criticism after a leaked Instagram Live conversation with Big Hit Music's boy group TXT's Soobin included comments referencing a female idol. Riize has since continued as a six-member act, releasing hits such as 'Love 119' and 'Boom Boom Bass.' SM Entertainment initially announced his return to Riize in October but reversed the decision just two days later following a surge of negative reactions from Korean fans. His departure from the group was confirmed later that month, leaving his status uncertain for nearly a year. In a handwritten letter shared at the time, Seunghan apologized to fans and his former bandmates, writing, 'I don't want to cause them any more harm. I truly love Riize and sincerely hope they continue to be loved.' Despite the controversy, some international Riize fans have continued to support him. In an email sent to The Korea Herald last month, they wrote, 'Though he committed no wrongdoing, SM failed to defend him publicly or ensure his safety.'
Korea Herald
21 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Frieze House Seoul to open in September inviting galleries
Korean artist Im Young-joo wins 2025 Frieze Seoul Artist Award Coinciding with the fourth edition of Frieze Seoul in September, the international art fair will launch Frieze House Seoul, inviting leading galleries to hold exhibitions and events there during the four-day event. The exhibition space will be located in Yaksu-dong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu, central Seoul, at a building renovated by Seoul-based architectural studio Samuso Hyoja. Frieze House Seoul follows the success of No. 9 Cork Street in London, according to Frieze on Wednesday. 'Frieze House Seoul marks a natural and exciting evolution of our presence in Korea. Seoul has become a focal point for the global art world, and this new space will allow us to foster deeper engagement with the city's vibrant art communities throughout the year,' said Kristell Chade, executive director of fairs at Frieze. The space will consist of two main exhibition spaces across four floors, offering over 210 square meters of display space, and a landscaped garden. Galleries can apply for the inaugural season of Frieze House Seoul on the Frieze website. Frieze Seoul 2025 will be held from Sept. 3 to 6, bringing together some 120 galleries from 30 countries at COEX in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. Meanwhile, Frieze announced Korean artist Im Young-joo as the recipient of the Frieze Seoul Artist Award of the year. This year, works for the Frieze Artist Award in both Seoul and London respond to the theme of "Future Commons," with new multimedia works that explore ideas of community and shared experience. 'Her work, 'Calming Signal,' offers a profound exploration of collective behavior and societal rhythms, resonating deeply with our 2025 theme, 'Future Commons.' Im's innovative approach and compelling narrative exemplify the dynamic talent emerging from Korea's contemporary art scene,' said Patrick Lee, director of Frieze Seoul. Im's winning commission, "Calming Signal," is a research-based, three-channel video installation set within a grid-like structure, which juxtaposes Earth's tilted axis with rotational cultural dances, linking gestures of imbalance to visual manifestations of an uncertain future.
