- Park Chan-wook’s Cannes contender "The Handmaiden" opened in Korea on Wednesday June 1 and topped the three-day holiday weekend local box office. Opening on 1,167 screens nationwide, it earned $15.6 million from 2.22 million admissions between Wednesday and Monday, Variety reports.
Released by CJ Entertainment, the lesbian drama is by far Park’s best opening, based on existing records. The film has been sold to 175 countries, and is currently the bestselling Korean film of all time.
The previous week’s winner, "X-Men: Apocalypse" took second, earning $5.43 million between Friday and Monday. The movie has made $19.1 million after two weekends on release.
Na Hong-jin’s occult thriller "The Wailing" slipped to third, earning $3.72 million between Friday and Sunday for a total of $44.1 million after four weeks.
Warner Bros.’ romantic drama "Me Before You" landed in fourth. It earned $2.22 million between Wednesday and Monday.
UPI’s "The Angry Birds Movie" dropped to fifth, making $1.09 million between Friday and Monday for a total of $4.07 million after three weekends.
