Korean Film Missed the Box Office Mark—But Netflix Might Be Its Second Chance

‘Harbin’, a big-budget period film centered on Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun, premiered in theaters earlier this year with massive expectations.

With a production budget of nearly 30 billion KRW, a star-studded cast led by Hyun Bin, and a nationalistic storyline aimed at tugging heartstrings, it was widely expected to become Korea’s first “10 million ticket” hit of 2025.

And at first, it looked like it might. The film sold 560,000 tickets on its opening day, topped real-time reservation charts, and quickly passed 3 million viewers in just over a week. It dominated the box office during Korea’s Lunar New Year holiday.

But then the momentum stalled.

Despite its powerful visuals, strong acting, and historical significance, ‘Harbin’ ultimately fell short, finishing its theatrical run with just under 5 million admissions—well below its break-even point of 6.5–6.8 million. Critics and viewers praised the film’s ambition but pointed to shortcomings in its script, character development, and pacing. Some said the film was too heavy, lacking the emotional payoff or entertainment value needed to sustain broader appeal.

Now, ‘Harbin’ is attempting a post-theatrical comeback—this time on Netflix. Released on April 25, the film hopes to capture the attention of a global audience, even if it failed to dominate theaters. While Netflix doesn’t disclose exact viewership numbers, the platform allows films to achieve viral success without box office constraints, leading some to speculate that 'Harbin' could become an "unofficial 10 million movie" via streaming.

In recent years, several Korean films that underperformed at the box office have found new life on Netflix, gaining international popularity and even making it into the platform’s global Top 10. With its emotionally charged storyline, historical depth, and high production value, 'Harbin' could follow a similar path—especially if overseas viewers become intrigued by the story of Korea’s resistance against Japanese colonization.

As fans who missed the theatrical release turn to Netflix, and international viewers discover the story for the first time, Harbin may yet fulfill its destiny—not in theaters, but on screens around the world.

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