Two films in the 10 million club [REWIND 2023]

Two Korean works made it to the 10 million ticket sales mark this year — “The Roundup: No Way Out” and “12.12: The Day.”

“12.12: The Day” surpassed a million dollars in revenue in the North American market, becoming the biggest Korean film hit in North America this year. [YONHAP]

A scene from "12.12: The Day" [PLUS M ENTERTAINMNT]

Two Korean works made it to the 10 million ticket sales mark this year — “The Roundup: No Way Out” and “12.12: The Day.”

“The Roundup: No Way Out,” the third installment in the action franchise led by Don Lee, made the breakthrough on July 1, 32 days after its release. “12.12: The Day,” a historical film about the Dec. 12, 1979, coup d’état, achieved the feat on Christmas Eve, 33 days after its release.

“The Roundup: No Way Out” was generally expected to hit the 10 million mark as both the first and second films in the franchise — “The Outlaws” (2017) and “The Roundup” (2022) — easily surpassed the milestone before, but “12.12: The Day” selling over 10 million tickets gave rise to new hope for the Korean film industry, which many believe to be in a rut as of late.

REWIND 2023

In 2023, Korea witnessed a tumultuous year in its entertainment and culture scenes. A drug scandal sent shock waves through the industry, ensnaring luminaries like Yoo Ah-in, G-Dragon and Lee Sun-kyun, with Lee reportedly dying by suicide at the age of 48 on Wednesday. BTS members one by one reported for duty to fulfill their looming military service, and Blackpink decided to stand united as a quartet with YG. The K-pop market grappled with alleged tampering scandals, involving artists Fifty Fifty, EXO, Omega X and soloists like Chuu. K-dramas continued their global reign, with "Moving" on Disney+ and "The Glory" on Netflix ranking among the most viewed shows worldwide. Korean literature earned accolades, with the international recognition of Cheon Myeong-kwan and Han Kang's works. Historic cultural landmarks and treasures also made the news, from vandalized Gyeongbok Palace walls to Jikji's exhibition and Gucci's fashion show in Gyeongbok Palace. Only two Korean films were able to make the 10 million ticket sales mark.

Here are the top 10 culture stories in 2023:

1. Lee Sun-kyun dies by suicide, drug scandal sweeps entertainment scene

2. Bye for now, BTS says

3. Blackpink 'fourever'

4. Cupid's roller coaster ride

5. Streaming services up the ante with hit shows

6. Scribbling on the royal palace walls

7. Fiction books find global acclaim

8. Jikji sees spotlight after half a century in hiding

9. Luxury brands secure their spot in Korea

10. Two films in the 10 million club

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]