‘Salmokji’ Becomes No. 2 Highest-Grossing Korean Horror Film, Surpasses 2.69 Million Admissions

The film 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' (directed by Lee Sang Min) has climbed to No. 2 on the all-time Korean horror box office chart.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing network, Salmokji surpassed a cumulative audience of 2.69 million on May 4. The film surpassed 'Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum,' released in 2018, to claim the second spot among the highest-grossing Korean horror films of all time.

Marking a new record eight years in the making, 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' has reinvigorated the Korean horror film market. Since its release, the film has maintained steady audience turnout without a noticeable decline, continuing a long-term box office run.

The movie has distinguished itself by introducing the trend of “experiential horror” to theaters, offering a level of immersion that sets it apart from conventional horror films. Strong word-of-mouth from viewers has helped it consistently maintain a top position at the box office.

'Salmokji: Whispering Water' follows a filming crew that encounters a mysterious figure captured on a road-view camera. As they head to a reservoir to reshoot the footage, they come face-to-face with something lurking beneath the dark, deep waters.

Meanwhile, as of 4:49 PM on May 4, new releases are dominating real-time ticket reservations. 'Super Mario Galaxy' ranks first with a 37.9% reservation rate, followed by 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' and 'Salmokji: Whispering Water.'