Masters Bong Joon-ho & Park Chan-wook Miss the 3 Million Mark: A Bitter Box Office for Directors Who Lost the 'Fun Factor'

'Master' filmmakers Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook have faced disappointing box office results, with their latest films struggling to surpass the 3 million viewer mark.

Despite the critical acclaim and artistic merit of their works, 'Mickey 17' and 'It Can't Be Helped' have fallen short of the expected audience numbers. While both films have been lauded by cinephiles for their craftsmanship, they failed to resonate with the broader public to the extent of reaching the 5 million viewer benchmark typically considered a success for such renowned directors.

Industry insiders suggest that the films may not have aligned with what audiences are currently seeking. 'The most crucial element for a film's success lies in its ability to captivate the audience,' commented one film industry professional. 'Ultimately, entertainment value is paramount.'

Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17,' released in February, reportedly featured characters reminiscent of the Trump family and depicted the alien 'Creeper' in a way that demanded deep thought and political interpretation. Similarly, Park Chan-wook's 'It Can't Be Helped,' released in September, was criticized for its thin plot justification for the protagonist Man-su (played by Lee Byung-hun) resorting to murder to reach a factory, and its symbolic scenes made the narrative difficult for many viewers to follow.

This contrasts sharply with the success of Japanese animations and 'F1 The Movie,' which garnered over 5.2 million and 5.47 million viewers, respectively. These blockbusters prioritized spectacle and entertainment over complex philosophical themes, indicating a public preference for enjoyment at the cinema.

'Mickey 17' accumulated 3.01 million viewers, while 'It Can't Be Helped' reached 2,788,315 admissions. The underperformance of these directorial giants, who often tackle societal issues through cinematic language, might signify an unavoidable trend in current audience preferences.

Korean netizens expressed their disappointment, with comments like 'I had such high expectations for directors Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook,' and 'Honestly, it was a bit boring. We should be thankful for 3 million viewers if it wasn't fun.' Others noted, 'Directors need to make films the era wants; being a master doesn't guarantee success.'