New Korean Movies Face Fierce Box Office Competition

Two new Korean movies have entered a challenging theatrical landscape, releasing on December 3, 2025. The comedy films “Informant” and “The People Upstairs” are now in theaters, facing intense box office competition from established international blockbusters.

A Tale of Two New Korean Comedy Films

This week’s new releases offer Korean audiences a double dose of comedy, each with a unique appeal. Industry watchers are closely observing how these domestic titles will perform against formidable opponents.

Anti-Hero Laughs in ‘Informant’

“Informant” is an anti-hero comedy film that follows the chaotic partnership between a demoted detective and a cunning informant. The movie has garnered significant pre-release attention, boasting high pre-sale ticket rates. This early interest suggests a potentially strong opening weekend, as audiences seem eager for a fresh and humorous storyline. The performance of this comedy film will be a key indicator of the current appetite for local productions.

Ha JungWoo Directs ‘The People Upstairs’

Also opening is “The People Upstairs,” a comedy film that marks the fourth directorial project for esteemed actor-director Ha JungWoo. Known for his charismatic performances, Ha JungWoo’s return to the director’s chair is a significant event for the Korean box office. The film has received an R-rating (known as “Cheongbul” in Korea), hinting at a more mature and edgy brand of humor that could help it find a specific niche audience.

The Formidable Box Office Competition

The primary challenge for these new Korean movies is the overwhelming success of animated features that are currently dominating the box office.

The ‘Zootopia 2’ Phenomenon

Disney’s “Zootopia 2” has already established itself as a box office juggernaut. Released prior to December 3, the film impressively surpassed two million viewers within its first five days. As of December 2, 2025, its popularity shows no signs of waning, holding a remarkable 99% CGV Golden Egg Index and a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This sustained success presents a major hurdle for any new film trying to capture audience attention.

The Anime Powerhouse: ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’

Adding to the fierce competition is the highly anticipated Japanese animated film, “Jujutsu Kaisen the Movie: Shibuya Incident X Culling Game,” which also premiered on December 3, 2025. The film is already proving to be a massive draw, ranking second in pre-sale ticket rates, just behind “Zootopia 2.” This indicates that a large segment of the movie-going audience is dedicated to this major anime release, further squeezing the market for other films.

Outlook for the New Releases

While the strong pre-sales for “Informant” offer a glimmer of hope, the path to profitability for both “Informant” and “The People Upstairs” is uncertain. The combined power of a beloved Disney sequel and a major anime event creates a difficult environment for domestic new releases. The opening weekend figures will be critical in determining whether these Korean comedy films can carve out a successful run amidst such intense box office competition.

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