Could This Be Korea’s Next 10-Million-Viewer Hit? All Eyes on This Upcoming Film

A new Korean film combining occult and action elements is creating major buzz ahead of its release, with some already wondering: Could this be the first movie of 2025 to surpass 10 million viewers?

On April 2, the team behind Holy Night: Demon Hunters held a press conference to discuss the highly anticipated film. Cast members Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok), Seohyun, Lee David, Kyung Soo-jin, Jung Ji-so, and director Lim Dae-hee were present to share insights into the project.

A Dark Hero Team Battles Evil

Holy Night: Demon Hunters tells the story of a group of dark heroes rising up in a city thrown into chaos by an evil cult. The underground team—appropriately named Holy Night—is made up of Bau (Don Lee), Sharon (Seohyun), and Kim Gun (Lee David), each of whom brings their own unique abilities to fight the forces of darkness.

Don Lee plays Bau, a demon hunter known for his rock-solid fists. “I kept the essence of my usual character,” he said, “but added fantasy elements through wire action and special effects.”

Seohyun transforms into Sharon, a fierce exorcist. “I decided to join the cast just two hours after reading the script,” she said. “To deliver ancient spell incantations convincingly, I spent entire days listening to and practicing the audio.”

Jung Ji-so plays Eun-seo, a girl possessed by a demon. “I did a lot of research and practice to portray a character that feels eerie and unstable,” she shared.

Don Lee’s Return—With a Twist

Don Lee, who also took part in planning and producing The Outlaws franchise, said he was drawn to Holy Night because of his interest in the occult genre and exorcism stories. “I’ve long had the urge to play a dark hero,” he said. “This isn’t just a genre mash-up—it’s a new kind of fantasy rooted in reality.”

Director Lim Dae-hee explained the challenge of blending suspenseful occult horror with explosive action. “I wanted to push the limits of both genres,” he said. “The goal was to give audiences a thrilling and fantastical experience.”

Holy Night: Demon Hunters explores fresh territory by fusing occult themes with kinetic action. The film is already generating massive anticipation, thanks in part to Don Lee’s reputation as a box-office powerhouse.

Don Lee is no stranger to box office success. He has starred in five consecutive 10-million-viewer hits, including Train to Busan (11.5M), Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (12.2M), The Outlaws 2 (12.6M), The Outlaws 3 (10.6M), and The Outlaws 4 (11.5M). As a lead actor and producer, he’s now one of the most influential figures in Korean cinema.

Fans often say, “Don Lee is a genre of his own”—and the numbers back it up. The Outlaws series alone drew over 58.7 million cumulative viewers, thanks to his signature no-nonsense action and charisma.

Netizens are already hooked, with the teaser trailer for Holy Night: Demon Hunters—released in January—amassing 550,000 views by April 2. Reactions have been explosive, with fans commenting, “Even Marvel can’t compete with this,” “Don Lee? Say no more—I’m watching it,” and “Same formula, same action—but never boring.” Others added, “Honestly, with Don Lee there, ghosts don’t even seem scary,” “He’s not just an actor anymore. He’s a genre,” and “A movie where demons get punched? Time to head to the theater and blow off some steam.”

Holy Night: Demon Hunters premieres on March 30 in theaters across Korea.