"Thirst" Poster
The new work by the famous South Korean director Park Chan-wook, "Thirst," has garnered attention due to its fresh vampire romance storyline and being the first Korean film invested in by Hollywood. Adding to this intrigue are the bold nude scenes featuring lead actors Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-bin, which led many to anticipate a box office miracle upon its release. Unexpectedly, "Thirst" has only attracted 2.2 million viewers, falling far short of expectations.
Industry insiders in South Korea's film scene have stated that although "Thirst" features renowned figures such as Park Chan-wook, Song Kang-ho, Kim Ok-bin, and Shin Ha-gyun, and the film itself has received positive reviews for its completion quality, its subject matter struggles to resonate with audiences. This insider also noted that art films like "Thirst" generally find it challenging to surpass the 2 million viewer mark, achieving this number purely due to the fame of Park Chan-wook and Song Kang-ho. Another film professional mentioned that the movie includes several heart-wrenching scenes, some of which are too explicitly depicted, causing discomfort for many viewers who found them unbearable to watch.
CJ Entertainment, the investment and distribution company for "Thirst," expressed that the film is an excellent work, having won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. However, it took a long time after its release for the news of its participation in Cannes to become a media focus. The 2.2 million viewers do not signify box office failure; overseas distribution alone has already surpassed expected returns. Director Park Chan-wook showed confidence in his new work before the release of "Thirst," stating that it might be the best among all his works.