Two locally-made new releases, “Ashfall” and “Start-up” topped the weekend box office in South Korea, beating “Frozen 2.”.Opening on Thursday, Cj Entertainment’s “Ashfall” debuted on top of the box office.
The volcano action drama earned $18.2 million from 2.46 million admissions between Thursday and Sunday, including $15.13 million earned over the weekend.
It accounted for 56% of the country’s total weekend box office.Produced by “Along with the Gods” franchise director Kim Yong-hwa, “Ashfall” is co-directed by Lee Hae-jun (“Like a Virgin”) and cinematographer-turned-director Kim Byeong-seo.
Starring some of South Korea’s top actors such as Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo and Don Lee, the disaster film follows the unexpected eruption of Korea’s tallest volcano, Baekdusan that straddles the border between China and North Korea, and plunges the Korean peninsula into chaos.Wednesday opener, “Start-up” landed in second.
The Next Entertainment World release earned $8.3 million over five days, including $5.45 million earned over the weekend.
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