No. 1 on Day One, Floundering by Day Three

A Korean thriller that debuted at No. 1 at the box office is now facing a harsh reality—its audience rating has plunged within days of release. Premiering on March 21, Streaming, starring Kang Ha-neul, opened strong with 33,700 moviegoers on its first day. However, just three days later, it fell to a 6-point range in ratings and dropped to fourth place overall at the box office.

Streaming shocked the industry by dethroning Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17, which had maintained the No. 1 spot since its domestic release on February 28. Despite its R-rating and a limited audience base, Streaming managed to lead the Korean box office among local films released during the same period. According to the Korean Film Council, the movie drew 76,575 viewers from March 21 to 23, with a cumulative audience of 78,753 as of the morning of March 24.

Directed by Jo Jang-ho in his feature debut, Streaming follows top crime content creator "Woosang" (played by Kang Ha-neul), who stumbles upon a clue to an unsolved serial murder case and begins a real-time livestream as he tracks down the suspect.

Kang Ha-neul embraced the role with intense dedication, including challenging long-take scenes, alongside rising actors Ha Seo-yoon and Kang Ha-kyung. The production company Verygood Studio and distributor Lotte Entertainment touted the film as a unique screen-life thriller—told entirely through digital device screens—and a potential box office standout for March.

Director Jo shared his candid thoughts post-release: "I was nervous and had prepared for the worst. I read every review, both critical and positive, and am taking them all in humbly." On choosing the screen-life format, he added, "When we first conceptualized this, screen-life films weren’t this common. We stuck with the one-take format to emphasize the real-time aspect. As similar films began to emerge, I was eager for ours to release first."

On casting Kang Ha-neul, Jo noted, "He has a strong theater background, capable of sustaining energy for two hours without a break. He also had great media experience and a passion for long takes. He exceeded expectations."

Kang Ha-neul himself expressed deep affection for the project, saying, "Every moment spent with the director, cast, and crew was meaningful and enjoyable. It was a set full of love." He also praised co-stars Ha Seo-yoon and Kang Ha-kyung for their performances and shared that he was ultimately satisfied with the final cut, despite much deliberation over the ending.

However, audience reactions were far from enthusiastic. User reviews on ticketing platforms were flooded with criticism, and by March 24, just three days in, the film’s rating had dropped to the 6-point range. Some netizens gave it as low as 3 out of 10.

Comments on Naver ranged from, “I don’t even know what to say,” and “I was going to give 1 star, but gave 2 because of Kang Ha-neul and Ha Seo-yoon’s acting,” to “Worst movie I’ve seen this year,” and “Wasted my money.” Others complained of amateurish direction and pacing issues, with one user bluntly asking, “Why did Kang Ha-neul choose this project?” Another wrote, “I wanted to leave multiple times, but stayed out of curiosity for the ending… sigh.”

Harsh critiques continued: “Watching YouTube content on the big screen was torture,” and “Kang Ha-neul now has to live with ‘Streaming’ on his filmography as punishment for this poor choice.” Most audience ratings clustered between 1 and 4, with comments like “Complete mess from start to finish,” “Absolutely boring. Don’t watch it—waste of time and money,” and “This film should’ve never seen the light of day.”

Still, Kang Ha-neul’s performance remained a silver lining. Even in the flood of negative reviews, viewers acknowledged his acting, calling it a “one-man show” and a “hard-carry” by the actor. Praise included: “If you’re a Kang Ha-neul fan, watch it. Just don’t expect entertainment or emotion,” and “The only good thing about the film was his performance.”

While a few perfect scores were given, they appeared to reflect admiration for Kang’s acting rather than the film as a whole.

Streaming is currently playing in theaters across South Korea. Despite scathing reviews, there is growing interest in whether Kang Ha-neul’s performance and the film’s buzz can turn the tide and continue drawing in moviegoers.

Kang Ha-neul, known for his versatile acting in films and dramas, joined the Squid Game ensemble in Season 2 as Kang Dae-ho (Player 388). His portrayal of Dae-ho, a character with a complex background and pivotal role in the storyline, has been well-received by audiences and critics alike. Kang's involvement has brought additional depth to the series, further elevating his status in the entertainment industry.​

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