Good Morning President took the top spot in this weekends box office–which is not surprising. What is surprising is just how successful it was. The film’s ticket sales comprised nearly 60% of all tickets sold nationally and more than that figure here in Jeonju. No doubt the biggest draw to this film was the role of popular actor Jang Dong-geon who has not appeared on the big screen since Typhoon four years ago.   The success of Good Morning President left all the other movies wallowing in single digit percentages save for District 9 which came in a very weak second this past weekend.   Looking at the films being released this coming week, I would estimate that Paju will provide the only competition for first place in the box office. I will say though that it is nice to see so many small, indie Korean films getting wider releases by theaters.  This week that includes Sea and Sky, Today and the Other Days and A Brand New Life.

A.  A Brand New Life (fr/kr)- d. Ounie Lecomte, starring Kim Se-ron, Ko Ah-seong

B. The Cove (us)- d. Louie Psihoyos, starring Louie Psihoyos, Richard O’Barry <documentary> www.thecovemovie.com

C. Inglorious Bastards (us/ger)- Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger http://inglouriousbasterds.kr

D. Killer Bride’s Perfect Crime (jp)- d. Goro Kishitani, starring Juri Ueno, Yoshino Kimura

E. Paju (kr)- d. Park Chan-ok, starring Lee Seon-gyun, Seo Woo www. paju2009.co.kr

F. Sam’s Lake (us/can)- d. Andew Erin, starring Fay Masterson, Sandrine Holt www.samslakethemovie.com

G. Sky and Sea (kr)- d. Oh Dal-gyun, starring Jang Na-ra, Jyu Ni

H. Stormbreaker (ger/us)- d. Geoffrey Sax, starring Alex Pettyfer, Ewan McGregor www.stormbreakerthemovie.com

I. This Is It (us)- d. Kenny Ortega starring Michael Jackson www.this-is-it.co.kr

J. Time Traveler’s Wife (us)- d. Robert Schwentke, starring Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams www.timetravelerswife.co.kr

K. Today and the Other Days (kr)- d. Choi Wi-an, starring Ha Hee-kyeong, Jeong Jae-jin