'The Roundup' garners more than 4 million in ticket sales, most since pandemic

A scene from ″The Roundup″ [ABO ENTERTAINMENT]

“The Roundup,” the highly anticipated sequel to “The Outlaws” (2017) which revolves around villain-tackling police officer Ma Seok-do, recorded the most ticket sales among Korean films since the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Korean Film Council Thursday, the film garnered 4.51 million ticket sales in the eight days after its release, surpassing the previous record set by “Deliver Us From Evil” (2020) starring Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae, which accumulated 4.35 million in ticket sales.

Cinemas regard the relaxation of social distancing measures as the critical element behind the success of “The Roundup.”

According to CGV Data Analysis, 12.4 percent of moviegoers went to see "The Roundup" with at least three other people. That statistic was just 8.5 percent for “Deliver Us From Evil,” which was released during the peak of the pandemic.

CGV also said that 62.2 percent of audience members for "The Roundup" were aged 30 or above, while for “Deliver Us From Evil,” the rate was 59.1 percent.

The fact that “The Roundup” is rated 15 and above is also regarded as one of reasons behind its success. “The Outlaws” was rated R.

Although it has its fair share of violence, the sequel relies on sound effects and camera angles instead of directly showing graphic details.

“Although the film has indirectly violent scenes such as the severing of limbs, and killings using weapons, the degree of the violence isn’t detailed,” the Korea Media Rating Board evaluated.

Marvel's latest film “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” garnered over 5.56 million in ticket sales since its release on May 5.

In May, the total number of moviegoers was 15.52 million, four times bigger than the previous month, which recorded 3.12 million. Industry experts regard 10 million moviegoers as the break-even point for theaters. The local cinema industry is banking on a return to normality with ticket sales of upcoming releases such as “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “The Witch: Part 2. The Other One,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Broker.”

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]