Major Twist: This Korean Film, a Box Office Flop, Dominated Netflix's No. 1 Spot Right Away!

A surprise twist for 'Bogotá: City of the Lost'—the film that struggled at the box office is now dominating OTT screens. Released on February 4 via Netflix, it skyrocketed to No. 1 on Korea’s “Top 10 Movies” chart within just one day, surpassing 'Veteran 2' and other popular titles.

Initially released on December 31, the movie failed to draw significant audiences to theaters, making its Netflix success all the more remarkable. Based on the rankings as of February 5, 'Bogotá' claimed the top spot, followed by 'Veteran 2', 'AMAZON BULLSEYE', and 'Knights of the Zodiac'.

Set in post-IMF Colombia, the movie follows Guk-hee (played by Song Joong-ki) as he navigates survival in Bogotá after his family’s business failure leads them to relocate. There, he becomes entangled with influential figures like Soo-young (Lee Hee-jun) and Sergeant Park (Kwon Hae-hyo). Directed by Kim Seong-je (Minority Opinion), the film boasts a star-studded cast including Song Joong-ki, Lee Hee-jun, Kwon Hae-hyo, Jo Hyun-chul, and Im Sung-jae.

Despite facing a bumpy production journey due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 'Bogotá' was filmed primarily in Colombia to capture authentic local visuals. Originally scheduled to wrap in 2020, filming resumed in 2021, with post-production delaying its release until late 2024. With a production budget of 12 billion KRW and a break-even point of 3 million tickets, the film only drew 420,000 theatergoers, prompting the decision to skip IPTV and head directly to Netflix.

But Netflix viewers saw something theaters didn’t. Praised for its strong direction, gripping performances, and intricate storytelling, the film has found its second life. Song Joong-ki, shedding his usual soft image, gave a nuanced performance that tracked Guk-hee’s evolution from a vulnerable teen to a hardened survivor. Lee Hee-jun’s portrayal of the calculating but compassionate Soo-young added layers of tension, while the supporting cast enhanced the immersive atmosphere.

The film stands out for spotlighting the Korean diaspora in a foreign setting—an uncommon narrative for Korean cinema. The power struggles within the Bogotá Korean community and the cultural clashes are depicted with a refreshing sense of realism, enhanced by the exotic backdrops and vivid Colombian street scenes.

Unlike its theatrical run, where the heavy plot and holiday season blockbusters overshadowed its potential, Netflix offered the ideal platform for audiences to fully appreciate its complex narrative. As Korean films increasingly reach global audiences through streaming, 'Bogotá' exemplifies how OTT can provide a fresh start for projects that underperform in theaters.

This shift could mark a turning point for Korea’s film distribution strategies. The success of 'Bogotá: City of the Lost' challenges the idea that a poor box office performance seals a film’s fate, highlighting how OTT platforms can offer new opportunities for films to succeed globally. As the line between theatrical releases and streaming blurs, the impact of this unexpected success on the future of Korean cinema remains to be seen.