Song Joong Ki Sheds Tears Over New Film’s Disappointing Box Office Results
Actor Song Joong Ki has finally expressed his feelings following the disappointing box office performance of his film Bogotá.
On January 12, a GV (Guest Visit) session for Bogotá featuring Song Joong Ki, Lee Hee Joon, and special guest Lee Sung Min was uploaded to YouTube. A GV typically involves the director or cast engaging directly with the audience, discussing the film, and answering questions.
During the session, Lee Sung Min, who previously worked with Song Joong Ki in the JTBC drama Reborn Rich, reflected on the disheartening state of the theater. He shared, “The parking lot was empty when I arrived, and the theater itself seemed vacant. It’s always tough for actors when there are so few audience members. Releasing a movie during such times can make you feel like dying.”
Song Joong Ki nodded quietly as Lee Sung Min spoke. Lee continued, “Still, as actors, it’s our job to endure. Please continue to support the film so we can finish this journey well.”
Lee Hee Joon added that Bogotá was a cherished project, delayed for five years due to the pandemic. He said, “Although we know it won’t reach 10 million viewers, the current turnout is below our expectations. I deeply appreciate everyone here today and hope you’ll keep showing interest until the end.”
When it was Song Joong Ki’s turn to speak, he acknowledged the challenges facing Korean cinema, stating, “It’s a tough time for Korean films, and honestly, just having a movie screened in theaters right now feels like a blessing. We’ve worked so hard to promote this film because we wanted it to be seen and loved. As actors, it’s our duty to create content that provides comfort and joy to audiences, especially during difficult times.”
As he spoke, Song Joong Ki became visibly emotional, pausing briefly before saying, “Talking about this makes me emotional… Thank you.” His eyes filled with tears, and Lee Sung Min also appeared visibly moved.
Released on December 31, Bogotá has struggled at the box office, with a total audience of 400,000 as of January 15. The film’s break-even point is 3 million viewers, making the gap between expectation and reality particularly stark.
This isn’t the only Song Joong Ki’s film to do bad at the box office. His other recent film “Hopeless” also failed to break past the million dollars in gross earnings from over 900 screenings.
The topic of the stark difference between Song Joong Ki’s films and dramas reception is going viral on various Korean portal sites.
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Source: (A)
