Star-led films heat up Lunar New Year box office

Feb 11, 2026, 08:12 am

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Actors Jo In-sung (right) and Park Jung-min star in the spy thriller Humint. / NEW

South Korea’s film industry is gearing up for a rare surge of momentum ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, with a lineup of star-driven releases spanning action, family drama and historical storytelling.

Leading the charge is Humint, director Ryoo Seung-wan’s latest action thriller, set to open on Tuesday. The film marks the final installment of Ryoo’s overseas-location trilogy following Berlin and Escape from Mogadishu, unfolding against the backdrop of Vladivostok, Russia.

Jo In-sung plays a covert National Intelligence Service agent, delivering restrained charisma and emotional depth, while Park Jung-min anchors the story as a local operative. Their reunion, following Smugglers (2023), is drawing attention for its assured on-screen chemistry. The cast also includes Shin Se-kyung and Park Hae-joon, with high-speed chases, gunfights and psychological warfare among the film’s highlights.

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Actors Choi Woo-shik (left) and Jang Hye-jin appear in the family drama Number One. / By4M Studio

Opening the same day is Number One, a quiet family drama offering a sharp contrast in tone. Choi Woo-shik stars as a son struggling to hold on to time with his mother, played by Jang Hye-jin. The film centers on a poignant premise: every time the mother’s home-cooked meal is eaten, the number of days she has left visibly decreases.

Adapted from a novel by Japanese author Uwano Sora, the film emphasizes emotional sincerity over spectacle. It also reunites Choi and Jang six years after Parasite, heightening anticipation among audiences seeking a heartfelt holiday watch.

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Actors Park Ji-hoon (left) and Yoo Hae-jin star in the historical film The Man Who Lives With the King. / Showbox

Meanwhile, The Man Who Lives With the King, released earlier this month, has already proven its box-office power. Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the historical drama portrays the exile of the young King Danjong and his bond with local villagers.

Yoo Hae-jin delivers a warm, grounded performance as a village leader, while Park Ji-hoon brings emotional nuance to his portrayal of the deposed monarch. Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the film blends historical detail with cinematic imagination and has surpassed 1.09 million admissions as of Monday, topping the box office.

An industry insider said the balanced mix of genres has broadened audience choice. “With action, family drama and historical films evenly spread out, viewers have more reasons to return to theaters,” the source said. “The performance of these films could significantly shape the mood of the box office in the first half of the year.”

#Lunar New Year #Korean cinema #box office #Jo In-sung #Choi Woo-shik