How This Korean Film Reclaimed No. 1 in Ticket Sales Amid Tough Competition

A film driven by heartfelt authenticity has reclaimed the top spot in Korea’s real-time ticket reservations, surpassing the highly anticipated 'Broken', which opened just a day earlier.

On February 6, data from the Korean Film Council confirmed that 'Secret: Untold Melody' secured the No. 1 position in ticket sales, leaving behind 'Broken', which premiered on February 5, and 'Hitman 2', which debuted on January 22.

Achieving a 22% reservation rate, 'Secret: Untold Melody' easily outpaced 'Broken' at 18.2% and 'Hitman 2' at 13.2%. Its lead extended to reservation numbers, boasting 45,683 pre-sold tickets, compared to 37,845 for 'Broken' and 27,418 for 'Hitman 2'. Despite being released five days after 'Hitman 2', 'Secret: Untold Melody' quickly asserted its dominance, outperforming its competitors by a significant margin.

In terms of daily box office rankings, 'Broken' claimed the No. 1 spot with 42,562 attendees, followed by 'Hitman 2' with 33,533. 'Secret: Untold Melody' ranked third with 22,311 viewers, followed by 'Dark Nuns' in fourth place with 18,677, 'Substance' in fifth with 4,990, and 'Harbin' in sixth with 3,392.

However, the film’s true strength lies in its exceptional audience reception. On CGV’s Golden Egg index, which reflects viewer satisfaction, 'Secret: Untold Melody' scored an impressive 92%, far surpassing 'Broken' at 64%. Even on Megabox’s viewer ratings, it led the pack with 8.5 points, overshadowing 'Broken' (6.8) and 'Dark Nuns' (7.6).

Naver’s real-time audience ratings followed a similar pattern, with 'Secret: Untold Melody' earning 8.95 points, while 'Broken' lagged at 6.15 and 'Hitman 2' recorded 7.63. Viewers praised the film for its thoughtful adaptation, stellar cast, and emotional impact. “I was skeptical about a remake, but this film exceeded expectations and delivered something fresh,” one viewer commented. Another added, “Even as a fan of the original, I was impressed by how well the story was localized while keeping its core charm intact.”

The movie’s influence isn’t confined to domestic success. Distributor Plus M Entertainment recently announced that 'Secret: Untold Melody' will debut internationally, starting with Indonesia on February 5, North America on February 14, and expanding to Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines later this month. The film is also set to premiere in Japan, Taiwan, and Cambodia within the first half of the year, with additional plans for screenings in Thailand, South America, and Russia.

A Plus M representative shared their excitement, stating, “With its unique emotional depth, this film is poised to captivate audiences worldwide.”

'Secret: Untold Melody' stars D.O. as musical genius Kim Yoo-joon, Won Jin-ah as Yoo-jeong-ah, and rising star Shin Ye-eun as music school leader Park In-hee. Set against the backdrop of a campus rehearsal room hiding a time-related secret, the fantasy romance promises a mix of love, mystery, and music that resonates globally.