'Hope' tops advance ticket sales 10 days before opening, with 83,000 already in queue

Director Na Hong-jin's first film in a decade, "Hope," has claimed the top spot in advance ticket sales with more than 10 days to go before its opening, cementing its status as the most anticipated Korean film of the summer.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing network, "Hope" took first place in overall advance ticket sales on July 4 — 11 days before its opening — and held the lead the following day. It is the fastest any film released this year has reached the top of the advance sales chart. As of Sunday afternoon, 83,758 tickets had been pre-purchased.

The film follows "Beom-seok," the head of a remote outpost near the demilitarized zone, who hears from local youth that a tiger has been spotted in the area. As the entire village is put on high alert, he is confronted with a reality that defies belief.

"Hope" is a project Na spent years preparing. The cast brings together leading Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon alongside acclaimed Hollywood performers Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell.

The film competed at this year's 79th Cannes International Film Festival, where it drew strong praise from critics and audiences alike. Reviewers highlighted its immersive pacing, directorial command and polished mise-en-scène.

"Hope" opens July 15.