Source: Segye Ilbo · 연예

What happened

According to Segye Ilbo, the independent horror film Obsession (Korean: Opsesyeon), directed by Carrie Baker, is drawing steady crowds in Korean theaters after breaking out in North America. Universal Pictures, the local distributor, said that as of 7 a.m. on September 13 — the film’s 12th day in release — cumulative admissions had passed 413,000.

Obsession opened in Korea on September 2. From September 7 through 12, Segye reports, it held second place nationwide while Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey ran at No. 1. The title is adults-only (청소년 관람 불가), but word of mouth has kept sales steady into week two.

The breakdown

Segye’s key figures and story beats:

• Budget: about $750,000 (roughly 1 billion won).
• Plot: Bear, who loves his friend Nikki, buys a “One Wish Willow” stick from an antique shop and wishes she will love him above all others. They become a couple, but Nikki’s devotion turns into obsession, and the wish cannot be cancelled or changed.
• Online buzz: Universal told Segye that plot twists, Nikki’s arc, and behind-the-scenes material have circulated actively online since release.
• North America: The film opened in May and has earned about $512 million worldwide (roughly 686.7 billion won).
• Distribution: Focus Features bought North American rights for about $15 million (roughly 20.1 billion won).
• Awards: Citing AP on September 13 (local time), Segye says Focus plans an Oscars push in categories including best picture and best actress.
• Cast note: Indy Nebrety, 25, who plays Nikki, has been cast as Rogue in the next X-Men series, Segye adds.

Why it matters outside Korea

Segye’s numbers show a $750,000 R-rated horror holding No. 2 for six days against a Nolan epic — proof that imported genre films with strong chatter can still find room when blockbusters dominate headlines. The same title’s ~$512 million worldwide gross against a sub-million-dollar budget also illustrates how a North American breakout plus a late-summer Korea slot can stack into a second-market win. Focus Features’ planned Oscars campaign adds international runway through awards-season press and extended theatrical interest.

What travelers and expats should watch

• Theater timing: Obsession remains on release with 413,000 admissions in 12 days, but it is adults-only — book Odyssey instead for mixed-age groups.
• Language check: Segye does not list subtitle policies; at CGV, Lotte Cinema, or Megabox, confirm English audio or subtitles before buying — dialogue-heavy horror punishes wrong-language picks.
• Spoiler risk: Universal cites active online talk about twists and Nikki’s arc; skip Korean social threads until after your screening if you want an unspoiled first watch.

Context

Read this as a micro-budget horror extending a global run into Korea’s No. 2 slot with dated admission totals, not as proof every indie import will match Obsession’s $512 million worldwide result. Segye’s frame — restricted rating, antique-shop wish gone wrong, word-of-mouth second week — marks parallel demand for conversation-driven genre films when overseas momentum arrives with a clear hook.

Source

Segye Ilbo · 연예: “독립 공포영화 ‘옵세션’ 국내관객 41만 돌파” — Korean original; budget, opening date, box-office rank Sept. 7–12, 413,000 admissions on Sept. 13, plot summary, Universal Pictures quotation, North America May release, worldwide and Focus Features figures, AP-reported Oscars campaign, and Indy Nebrety casting note from Segye; paraphrased for briefing; read the original for photos and full Korean text.