Korea’s Most Expensive Film Ever? The Blockbuster Earning Standing Ovations Worldwide

A film boasting the highest production budget ever for a Korean director is making waves internationally, earning rave reviews and even a standing ovation. Now, all eyes are on its highly anticipated domestic release on February 28.

The film in question? Bong Joon-ho’s latest sci-fi blockbuster, Mickey 17. Even before its official release, the film has dethroned Captain America: Brave New World to claim the No. 1 spot in advance ticket sales.

According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing system, as of 2 PM on February 20, Mickey 17 had secured a commanding 27.1% pre-sale share, surpassing Captain America: Brave New World, which trailed behind at 18.3%.

Bong’s eighth feature film, Mickey 17 is adapted from Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7 and tells the story of a disposable human clone sent on a perilous space expedition. Each time he dies, a new version is printed—until Mickey 17 faces an existential crisis when Mickey 18 is unexpectedly created.

Mickey 17 boasts an impressive lineup of award-winning talent behind the scenes. The film is produced by Oscar winners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner (Moonlight, 12 Years a Slave), alongside Bong Joon-ho and Dooho Choi (Okja, Snowpiercer). The film features executive producers Brad Pitt, Jesse Ehrman, Peter Dodd, and Marianne Jenkins.

The film’s visuals are crafted by director of photography Darius Khondji (Oscar-nominated for Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, Okja) and production designer Fiona Crombie (Oscar-nominated for The Favourite, Cruella). Editing is led by Yang Jinmo (Oscar-nominated for Parasite, Okja), while the score is composed by Jung Jae-il (Parasite, Squid Game).

With an unprecedented budget of approximately ₩170 billion, Mickey 17 is Korea’s most expensive film to date, making its box office performance a hot topic of discussion.

Ahead of its official release, Mickey 17 premiered at the prestigious 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 15. As one of the world’s top three film festivals alongside Cannes and Venice, Berlinale provided the perfect stage for Bong’s sci-fi epic.

Following the screening, audiences erupted into a standing ovation, signaling strong early reception. According to review aggregator Metacritic, the film currently holds a solid 74/100 critic score.

British director Edgar Wright praised the film, saying, “It was a jaw-dropping experience. Bong’s films are always meticulously crafted and visually stunning. We’re lucky to have a filmmaker of his caliber pushing genre boundaries. If you watch this movie, make sure it’s on the biggest screen possible.”

Renowned Korean film critic Lee Dong-jin described Mickey 17 as “a paradox that expands the deeper you dive into it, infused with humor that sparkles like morning stars.”

The film was also ranked the No. 1 “Most Anticipated Movie of 2025” by members of Letterboxd and IMDb’s editorial team, further solidifying global excitement.

Not Just a Clone Story—Bong Joon-ho Explores ‘Human Printing’

On February 20, a press conference for Mickey 17 was held at Megabox COEX in Seoul, with Bong Joon-ho joined by Hollywood stars Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, and Mark Ruffalo.

During the event, Bong emphasized that the film’s core concept revolves around “human printing,” distinguishing it from traditional clone narratives in sci-fi.

“This isn’t about superhumans or geniuses being replicated,” Bong explained. “It’s about an ordinary, vulnerable young man being continuously printed like a document. The story ultimately shows that even the weakest among us can endure without being broken.”

Mickey 17 is set for release in Korea on February 28, followed by its North American premiere on March 7. Will Bong Joon-ho’s latest masterpiece live up to the hype? The countdown begins.