P.S Partner, Wolf Boy hit box office milestones

74 December 16, 2012December 16, 2012

by javabeans

It’s been a strong weekend for movies, near the end of what’s been a strong year all around (with its record-breakers and new entries into the top 10 list). As this weekend comes to a close, two films have hit significant milestones, the first being romantic comedy My P.S. Partner (P.S. = phone sex), which crossed that big 1-million-tickets line in just 10 days.

It’s particularly noteworthy since the movie’s got a 19-and-up age restriction due to its adult content (think NC-17 rated movies in the U.S.), and now has set the record for fastest 19+ film to break 1 million tickets. Previous record-holders include Lee Seon-kyun and Choi Kang-hee’s Petty Romance a couple years ago and 2007’s Sex is Zero 2, which took 11 days to reach the milestone.

Director Byun Sung-hyun was so tickled to hear the news during a series of tours to greet audiences at theaters around the country that he promised to perform Psy’s horse dance in the middle of Myeongdong should the movie hit 4 million. Ha, I think that’s a pretty small price to pay.

My P.S. Partner looks like a hilarious and adorable rom-com with a funny twist on the classic meet-cute — a wrong-number phone-sex encounter — and Ji Sung and Kim Ah-joong look like they’re working some sizzling chemistry, so congrats to them. Can’t wait to see it. It was probably aided by the fact that it was the only rom-com in theaters at the moment, with a bunch of more serious fare taking up the other slots in the top 5. But considering that it was second only to The Hobbit, I’d say My P.S. Partner put in a respectable showing.

On the other end of the emotional spectrum was Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-young’s poignant melo Wolf Boy, which has been enjoying a strong theatrical run since it opened more than a month ago. It took first place at the box office in its opening weekend and has been steadily amassing ticket sales, and this weekend it finally succeeded in hitting 7 million.

Wolf Boy probably won’t make it up there with the year’s box office giants — The Thieves and Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King both made it into the all-time top 10 list and topped 10 million tickets — but it’s definitely been a strong way to cap off an especially strong year for Song Joong-ki. Can’t wait to see what he’ll do next. Let’s hope it’s not army duty.

Via Yonhap News, My Daily

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1 canxi

December 16, 2012 at 1:24 PM

Can't wait to see these movies!

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jєѕѕα™ 주원사랑 (@jung_kYro)

December 16, 2012 at 2:29 PM

Same here. Ji Sung and Song Joong Ki are two of my favorite actors. I hope they can work together. I also heard they are good friends. :-)

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canxi

December 16, 2012 at 7:02 PM

Aw, really? That must be a cute hyung-ship.

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Zelaii

December 17, 2012 at 2:34 AM

Let's all wish for it. :)

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am

December 20, 2012 at 5:28 AM

Me too! Wondering when these will be available on DVD.

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2 Alvina

December 16, 2012 at 1:25 PM

Wow, that's absolutely brilliant to see that movie going culture is not only going strong but also growing despite western gripes about the movie going audience.

I cant wait to watch PS. I've been waiting for it for what seems like ~forever~~~! THe storyline certainly seems interesting. Someone, tell me, is it a happy ending?

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Melody

December 16, 2012 at 3:38 PM

Yup!! Happy ending! Very sweet~ haha.. but.. i didnt expect it to be thaat 'porny'.. haha.. Overall, a great storyline!

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3 Mystisith

December 16, 2012 at 1:33 PM

I was worried about P.S partner: A lot of pics leaked on the net, an aggressive promotion campaign insisting on the SEXy side of the story... Maybe it's better than what I'm expecting.

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JO

December 16, 2012 at 5:43 PM

the number of tickets sold doesn't mean a film is good (e.g. Twilight)

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canxi

December 16, 2012 at 7:07 PM

Well, Twilight isn't just a movie--it's also a book so you know that counts for the success an popularity of that franchise.

And Mysti, I think the campaign advertised all the sexy to get people interested. I watched the trailer and it really does look like a good, well-rounded movie but as always we'll have to wait and see (:

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4 MrsYoo

December 16, 2012 at 1:35 PM

I have been looking online for my PS partner like a mad person lol. Ionair has Jackal is coming but no my PS partner :( ..can someone PLEASE give me links to where I can watch Korean movies.

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5 nomu nomu nomu

December 16, 2012 at 2:09 PM

My P.S. Partner looks to be a hilariously fun watch.
LOL + RAWR = I'm there! (The only math I like is drama math)

side note: I wonder how much fun the subbers will have translating the er,... conversation :P

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6 Ai

December 16, 2012 at 2:16 PM

Is 19+ really equal to NC-17? All this time I thought it was equivalent to an "R" rating.

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nomu nomu nomu

December 16, 2012 at 3:26 PM

I think it's more accurate to say that the Korean rating of 19+ is the equivalent to 'R' and 'NC-17'

many of these movies are like 'Petty Romance', 'My P.S. Parter', 'Old Boy', 'Ajhussi', it would be considered no more than an 'R' rated movie. I have also seen some 19+ movies that is clearly NC-17 (some was arguably pushing the boundary pass the NC-17 rating)

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topper

December 16, 2012 at 7:09 PM

A film with no nudity can't be "R".

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nomu nomu nomu

December 16, 2012 at 7:25 PM

An 'R' rating can be derived due to many factors. Nudity, extreme violence, extreme adult situations, excessive drug uses are just some examples. Any of these can potentially get an MPAA rating of 'R'

example, some action flick or horror flick can receive an 'R' rating, yet does not necessarily have any nudity.

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7 cherkell

December 16, 2012 at 2:27 PM

"A Werewolf Boy" was FREAKING AMAZING. If Joong-ki doesn't win a butt-load of awards for it, I will be extremely annoyed!!! But we here in the States must have been subjected to the added two-minute 'alternate ending' (from what I've read online). I'm very intrigued to see what the director was thinking with the original ending...

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Kayleigh Lovell

December 16, 2012 at 3:09 PM

You've seen it, how lucky! I can only hope that its popularity means that the UK Korean Festival will add it to it's playlist and I'll get a chance to see it when it arrives back in London

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Kayleigh Lovell

December 16, 2012 at 3:11 PM

I know I could just chek it online but I really wanna see Song Joong-ki do his thing on the big screen.

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8 Ahjumma

December 16, 2012 at 2:35 PM

Can anyone tell me what they thought of Gwanghee??

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DeeDee315

December 16, 2012 at 3:16 PM

Took my daughter to see Gwanghee & while she's not a Korean drama or movie fan like mom, she liked it very much. Beautiful sets, costumes, cinematography and wonderful acting. Story was predictable but who cares. So nice to see a Korean film on the big screen & not on my computer for once.

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birdscout

December 16, 2012 at 6:47 PM

Beautiful to watch with a few very funny (but kind of unbelievable) scenes. Lee BH was great in it, but I most loved Shim Eun-kyung's performance. I would definitely recommend watching it.

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9 kumi

December 16, 2012 at 3:43 PM

Waiting to watch the Wolf Boy.

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10 DayDreamer

December 16, 2012 at 3:45 PM

Oh beloved subbers, I BEG OF YOU to please sub all these amazing Korean movies being released. Please, please, please.... :P

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11 esbering

December 16, 2012 at 4:26 PM

I wanna watch My PS partner like crazy...

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hana

December 17, 2012 at 5:33 AM

me too .

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12 jecci055

December 16, 2012 at 4:28 PM

congrats to both amazing films!

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13 Kiara

December 16, 2012 at 4:33 PM

Always appreciate the movie reviews and news on this site. I love cinemas in any language and cultures. Thank you JB <3.

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14 jinny

December 16, 2012 at 4:36 PM

Omg PS Partner looks exactly like what I want to watch right now. I think I'll try Wolf Boy in the summer..Does anyone know if they put english subtitles on korean movies when they show them in US theaters?? The Thieves was in theater for a while but I didn't want to waste $10 watching a movie with no subs...

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JO

December 16, 2012 at 5:45 PM

Yes, in chicago they had a brief showing of Wolf Boy at select theaters and there were subs.

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15 Tee

December 16, 2012 at 4:39 PM

What about that Jackal movie? How is it fending in the box office?

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Annie

December 16, 2012 at 4:46 PM

Pretty poorly.

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Mystisith

December 16, 2012 at 4:53 PM

Well, seeing my favorite actor in some kind of twisted bondage movie for 1hr30 is not something I would fancy either. I'm sure the sasaeng fans will adore this though.

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Annie

December 16, 2012 at 5:21 PM

Haha, true that.

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sartorius

December 16, 2012 at 7:24 PM

LOL...spit out my drink!!!!

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hana

December 17, 2012 at 5:31 AM

not really ..it's not a hit but it's not failing either .. especially since it didn't cost much to make the movie .

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16 sue_kl

December 16, 2012 at 5:11 PM

Waiting for these two movies to reach Malaysian shore.....will it reach Malaysian big screen?????

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17 limkh

December 16, 2012 at 5:53 PM

(no spoilers)
i watched both and i can say i enjoyed ps partner a lot; maybe i wasn't expecting that much but it was thoroughly entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny, even sweet, and dare i say... heart-warming? (maybe an over-statement) anyway, everything about a rom-com done right, and i like to think i have very high standards for them. also, chemistry pretty believable even when they were just talking over the phone.

wolf boy, on the other hand, i never understood why it kept raking in the monies. i mean, is song joong gi enough reason for 7 mill? apparently. i found the movie pretty boring, if unexpectedly funny at times. it wasn't even as pretty as i thought it would be too; the director used the weird "sheen" filter over everything. a disappointment to me.

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Annie

December 16, 2012 at 5:56 PM

Werewolf Boy was also panned by critics... I still haven't been able to find a reason why that movie did so well.

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nomu nomu nomu

December 16, 2012 at 6:06 PM

I can find a reason.

one word: fangirls

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Mystisith

December 16, 2012 at 6:22 PM

Like the one who went to see the movie 70 times... Some kids need a therapy. And proper parents to smack them behind their heads.

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nomu nomu nomu

December 16, 2012 at 6:56 PM

70 times... are you being serious? Damn, that sounds crazy. I keep forgetting sometime that there are real-life Sung Shi-won out there.

Annie

December 16, 2012 at 7:01 PM

Damn...

Mystisith

December 16, 2012 at 7:05 PM

http://www.soompi.com/2012/12/13/song-joong-ki-tells-fans-to-stop-watching-his-movie/

canxi

December 16, 2012 at 7:12 PM

Did she sleep in the theater waiting for it to re-play?? o_O

sartorius

December 16, 2012 at 7:27 PM

those girls cray...."After the drama, ‘Nice Guy‘ was over, I couldn’t see oppa anymore so that’s why I went to the theater"....d fuck?????

hana

December 17, 2012 at 5:45 AM

really ? .... is song joong gi really that popular or is it the story ?

DayDreamer

December 17, 2012 at 6:18 AM

Doesn't Joon Soong-Ki know that saying "Don't watch the movie" will make them watch it even more 'cause of reverse psychology?? lol

DayDreamer

December 17, 2012 at 6:21 AM

Ack! I even totally messed up his name...sorry, ladies...

canxi

December 16, 2012 at 7:16 PM

Was it really panned? I was under the impression that it was a stroke of cinematic genius. Ah man. I'll still watch it though. I might like it, knowing myself,lol.

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hana

December 17, 2012 at 5:53 AM

from the trailer it seems pretty but plain so I wasn't expecting much .. but a lot of critics don't Match my taste so I'll just watch it myself.

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jenapples

December 16, 2012 at 8:21 PM

Exactly how I felt - Wolf Boy is a disappointment to me too. I haven't seen My PS Partner. It received lots of good reviews...will watch it this weekend with my bf.

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18 Gork

December 16, 2012 at 6:10 PM

I saw Wolf Boy today in theaters (it finally came to my city in the States!) and I really liked it! So happy Song Joong Ki is having a great year, he really deserves it!

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19 Enz

December 16, 2012 at 6:15 PM

Ji sung was on some interview saying how you have to twist your head just at a particular angle so that the camera gets a shot of a refined , sharp jawline. Looks like he has perfected it!

Hoping that I get to watch ps love and werewolf boy at some point

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20 risa

December 16, 2012 at 6:28 PM

I really wanna see both films but I'm especially keen to watch My P.S. Partner. I just adore Ji Sung when he's being all flirtatious and cheeky. And that shmexy voice... yum! This seems like a perfect role for him.

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21 rainbow

December 16, 2012 at 6:31 PM

I hope Song Joong Ki will do a rom-com next..... :D

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22 anna

December 16, 2012 at 7:26 PM

Army-duty, when I read that I actually was taken back and realized that his guy is 27 years old.. 28 in Korea? It's just, he's so baby-faced that I always see him as 20 years old and he's stuck there for 2 years now. LOL

Seriously, all these actors making it big and in the army they go. Is it always that age? 28, for your big break or something.

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jєѕѕα™ 주원사랑 (@jung_kYro)

December 17, 2012 at 7:24 AM

I hope he'll do a drama first before doing military service.

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23 Sora

December 16, 2012 at 7:40 PM

Where can i watch wolf boy?? Please someone help me out

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24 cynkdf

December 16, 2012 at 7:46 PM

Javabeans, thanks for your write-up. May I mention the "controversial" partly crowd-funded movie "26 Years" that in 18 days has garned 2.5 million admissions. It stars my favourite actor Bae Soo Bin (fourth lead in this movie) hence I am so delighted at its wonderful showing at the Korean Box Office thus far - top for two weeks, only overtaken by the blockbuster "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey".

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canxi

December 17, 2012 at 5:59 AM

I also want to see this movie.

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25 cynkdf

December 16, 2012 at 7:48 PM

sorry about the typo .. I meant to say "garnered 2.5 million admissions" - breakeven point two million admissions. It has a wonderful cast of Jin Goo, Han Hye Jin, Im Seul Ong (of 2AM), BSB, Lee Kyeong Yeong and Jang Gwang.

Here ended my P R broadcast for "26 Years" :)

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26 AnnaBanana

December 16, 2012 at 8:12 PM

I'm excited about P.S. Partner! I been wanting to watch the movie since it was in production. I don't remember watching a lot of GOOD rom-com movies this year. In fact, I have only enjoyed watching All About My Wife out of all the rom-com I have watched this year.

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27 bradk

December 17, 2012 at 1:28 AM

I hope these are english subbed real soon! >.<

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28 Nallali

December 17, 2012 at 6:15 AM

All those sexy scenes! if i were his gf i'd be crying in a corner somewhere...or cuddling up to one of the most gorgeous guys (and drama husband) out there in drama history...works either way :)

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jєѕѕα™ 주원사랑 (@jung_kYro)

December 17, 2012 at 7:27 AM

I don't think Lee Bo Young will do that. I've read some articles that Ji Sung is really sweet towards his gf in real life. He even setup some fireworks for her to make it up to her for those times they are not together because of their schedules.

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Nallali

December 17, 2012 at 9:44 AM

u do realise i was just messing around right?!

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29 CaroleMcDonnell

December 17, 2012 at 7:43 AM

I so wish Wolf Boy would make it to the screens in the US!!!! Pleaseeeeeeeeee movie-distribution gods~~~

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30 doouow

December 17, 2012 at 8:08 PM

P.S. Partner........I want to watch it.......RIGHT NOW..!

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31 Jayden

December 18, 2012 at 12:03 AM

Let’s hope it’s not army duty.

I panicked to read that, because it must just be the kind of contrary thing he might do! I'm crossing my fingers too.

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32 BKS

December 18, 2012 at 9:11 PM

I watched Wolf Boy here in the U.S - it has opened here since 11/30/12. I'm in NYC, and you can still watch it at Time Square 42nd Empire or at Queens Forest Hills Cinemart, and several other theaters NJ. The ending isn't something I expected, but hey... it was a great movie overall though.