Comedy reigns at box office: Why Korean audiences are laughing again

Comedy is dominating Korean theaters this year, signaling a shift in audience taste.

From “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” the year’s biggest box-office hit, to “The First Ride,” which recently broke the winning streak of Japanese anime films, moviegoers are turning to laughter as the genre leading the post-summer box office.

“The First Ride” has topped the domestic box office for six consecutive days, overtaking “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc,” the Japanese anime that had been leading global charts.

Released on Oct. 29, the film follows five longtime friends — Tae-jung (Kang Ha-neul), Do-jin (Kim Young-kwang), Yeon-min (Cha Eun-woo), Geum-bok (Kang Young-seok) and Ok-sim (Han Sun-hwa) — as they embark on their first overseas trip together.

Driven by word of mouth, the comedy has won praise for its cast chemistry and heartfelt storyline.

The reunion of director Nam Dae-joong and actor Kang Ha-neul, who previously worked together on the 2023 hit “Love Reset,” also boosted anticipation.

“As a comedy that people can enjoy together, it offers a strong reason for audiences to return to theaters," the film’s distributor, Showbox, said.

According to data from the Korean Film Council’s box office information system on Wednesday, “The First Ride” drew 23,991 moviegoers on Tuesday, maintaining its No. 1 position at the local box office. The film’s cumulative admissions have reached 417,973.

Earlier this summer, “My Daughter Is a Zombie” became a cultural phenomenon, surpassing 5 million admissions. It marked the first domestic film to hit that milestone in 11 months since Ryu Seung-wan’s “Veteran 2.”

Based on a webtoon, “My Daughter Is a Zombie” tells the story of a father who undergoes secret training to protect his daughter, the last remaining zombie in the world. By blending zombie apocalypse tropes with human drama and humor, the film earned praise for its originality.

Following “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” “Boss” has continued the comedy trend, topping the box office through the 10-day Chuseok holiday period in early October with a seat occupancy rate of 40.4 percent.

The action comedy depicts a fierce but comical power struggle among gang members vying to become the next boss. Premiering at the Busan International Film Festival before its official release, “Boss” surpassed 1.7 million admissions, breaking even within weeks.

The resurgence of comedy reflects social sentiment, experts say. Historically, during periods of economic downturn or collective stress — from the Great Depression in 1930s America to the 1997 Asian financial crisis — audiences have sought comfort in laughter.

“Viewers are showing fatigue toward heavy, serious genres like thrillers and crime dramas,” cultural critic Kim Hern-sik said. “Many now turn to lighthearted and refreshing stories, not just in theaters but on streaming platforms as well.”

He added, “Films like ‘My Daughter Is a Zombie’ and ‘Boss’ stand out for their originality, proving that audiences are eager for well-made comedies that offer both humor and heart.”

A still from the film “Boss” / Courtesy of Hive Media Corp and Mindmark

By Hankook Ilbo/ The Korea Times (CLICK)