'The First Ride' Races to Top of South Korea's Box Office

The South Korean box office experienced a lively shake-up this past weekend, as the highly anticipated 'KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event' hit theaters, adding a burst of musical flair to the charts. However, it was the road-trip comedy 'The First Ride' that ultimately drove away with the top spot.

Directed by Nam Dae-joong, known for 'The Great Battle', 'The First Ride' debuted at No. 1 on November 3, 2025, earning $1.56 million from 230,810 admissions and capturing a 28.8% market share. The film follows a group of childhood friends whose seemingly carefree trip to Thailand takes an unexpected turn. Including its midweek previews, 'The First Ride' has already grossed $2.3 million, marking an impressive start for the homegrown title.

Meanwhile, the newly released 'KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event' drew music and animation fans in droves, sparking buzz for its interactive screenings that blend K-pop beats with fantasy action. The film's unique format added a playful twist to Korea's weekend box office mix.

Japanese titles continued to hold strong, with 'Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc' dropping to second place, earning $1.08 million and pushing its cumulative gross to $20.7 million. The psychological horror 'The Exit 8' also maintained its momentum, adding $602,000 to take its total to $2.2 million.