February 29, 2016 - 14:48 AMT
Wartime sex slave drama “Spirits” opens on top of Korea box office

Historical drama “Spirits’ Homecoming” topped the Korea box office, scoring $6.41 million from 1.06 million admissions between Wednesday, February 24 and Sunday. A story about wartime sex slaves known euphemistically as ‘comfort women,’ the crowdfunded picture had been in the making for 14 years due to the sensitive nature of the subject and difficulties in getting investment, Variety said.

The previous week’s winner, “Deadpool” slipped to second, earning $3.09 million between Friday and Sunday, for a total of $17.5 million after two weekends.

With a week-on-week rise of 25%, “Zootopia” remained in third, making $2.55 million between Friday and Sunday. The Disney release has earned $6.81 million since Feb. 17.

Korean-made films took the following five chart places. Lee Joon-ik’s “Dongju The Portrait of A Poet” climbed to fourth from last week’s fifth, making $1.21 million between Friday and Sunday, for a total of $3.74 million after two weekends on release. Showbox’s crime comedy “A Violent Prosecutor” earned $1.16 million for a total of $61.7 million after four weekends, while CJ’s romantic comedy “Like For Likes” made $615,900 for $4.56 million after two weekends.

Starring Jeon Do-yeon and Gong Yoo, Lee Yoon-ki’s melodrama “A Man And A Woman” scored $772,000 between Thursday and Sunday, while Lee Eun-hui’s retro-themed melodrama “Unforgettable” made $1.02 million since its Wednesday opening.

UPI’s “The 5th Wave” and double Oscar-winner “Spotlight” debuted in ninth and tenth, respectively earning $495,000 between Thursday and Sunday, and $583,300 between Wednesday and Sunday.

Photo: WAW Pictures