So Ji-sub‘s determination paid off... ‘Substance’ surpasses 150,000 admissions, a long-term box office hit

The movie ‘Substance’ has been firmly maintaining its position as the number one independent art film box office for three weeks in a row, and has surpassed 150,000 admissions. Thanks to the rave reviews and long-term box office success, theatrical releases of director Coralie Farza’s previous work and the short film ‘Reality+’, which gave birth to ‘Substance’, have also been confirmed.

According to the integrated computer network for movie theater tickets, the movie ‘Substance’ surpassed 150,000 admissions on the 30th, the 20th day since its release. ‘Substance’, which has been firmly holding the number one spot at the independent art film box office for three weeks, is continuing its long-term box office success despite the high barriers of being rated R and being a body horror genre film.

Riding on the ‘Substance’ craze, CGV Arthouse will screen the second work of the ‘Shorts House’ project, director Coralie Farza‘s short film ‘Reality+’, for two weeks from Monday, January 1 to Tuesday, January 14. ‘Reality+’ is the story of people who enjoy satisfaction with their appearance by having a chip called Reality+ inserted into their brains that allows them to choose their own appearance as they dreamed. Screening theaters include CGV Gangbyeon, Gwangju Sangmu, Daegu Academy, Daejeon, Myeongdong Station Cine Library, Seomyeon, Sinchon Artreon, Apgujeong, Yeouido, Ori, Yongsan I’Park Mall, Incheon, Cheonan Pentaport, Cheongju Yulryang, and Chuncheon.

Meanwhile, ‘Substance’ is a nonstop bloody thriller depicting a fierce confrontation between myself and a better version of myself. It was imported into Korea by Chanran Film Company, where actor So Ji-sub, who has continued to show interest in and support independent films, is an investor.

This work is recording box office success with a high satisfaction rate from actual viewers, maintaining a CGV Golden Egg Index of 92%, and is expected to surpass 200,000 viewers by the beginning of the year. Starting with the Cannes International Film Festival Screenplay Award and the Toronto International Film Festival Midnight Madness Audience Award, ‘Substance’, which has won 27 awards and been nominated 124 times, has been nominated in 5 and 7 major categories at the Golden Globes and Critics‘ Choice Awards, which are important indicators of the Oscar race. Demi Moore is challenging for the Academy Award for Best Actress for the first time in her career. It is currently showing in theaters nationwide.

Jeong Hee-yeon, Donga.com reporter shine2562@donga.com