Overnight Sensation: 'The People Upstairs' Tops Box Office for Second Week, Exceeding Opening Weekend Numbers

The comedy film 'The People Upstairs' is defying expectations, showing a rare 'reverse-run' box office success by attracting more viewers in its second week of release than its opening week.

According to distributor Wide Pond Studio on the 14th, 'The People Upstairs' has successfully held the No. 1 spot at the Korean film box office for two consecutive weeks. The film has entered a 'ssarakssarak' (a term indicating upward momentum in sales) phase, with audience numbers increasing in its second weekend compared to the first. Data from the Korean Film Council's Integrated Network shows that audience numbers on the second Friday and Saturday were higher than the previous weekend. Notably, the film has achieved a comparable seat occupancy rate to Hollywood competitor 'Zootopia 2', indicating a strong upward trend towards the top of the box office.

Having opened with approximately 200,000 seats, 'The People Upstairs' is seeing growth not only in ticket sales but also in seat occupancy. This mirrors the success patterns of previous comedic hits like 'Handsome Guys' and 'Slowly', which gained traction through positive word-of-mouth.

The driving force behind this surprising box office surge is attributed to the film's delightful word-of-mouth. Critics and audiences alike are praising director Ha Jung-woo's keen observational skills and his genius for twisting uncomfortable situations into hilarious dialogue. The ensemble cast, including Ha Jung-woo, Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Dong-wook, and Lee Hanee, are receiving accolades for their condensed performances, delivered with perfect chemistry and rhythm.

'The People Upstairs' tells the unpredictable story of two couples—the upstairs residents (Ha Jung-woo and Lee Hanee) and the downstairs residents (Gong Hyo-jin and Kim Dong-wook)—who end up having dinner together one night due to a series of unusual nightly noises from the apartment above. The film is currently playing to rave reviews in theaters nationwide.

Netizens are reacting enthusiastically, with comments like 'I really thought I was living upstairs lol, the noise complaints are so relatable,' 'Director Ha's directing is amazing! The cast's chemistry is insane too,' and 'I laughed until I cried. It's been a while since I've seen such a hilarious comedy!'