After a short run in theaters and poor box office performance, a new Korean movie starring two well-known actresses is getting a lot of attention. "Project Y," which was directed by Han So Hee and Jeon Jong Seo, moved to video-on-demand and online streaming platforms just over two weeks after it came out in theaters. This led to discussions about how well it did at the box office and with critics.
The movie came out in theaters on January 21, 2026 (KST) and was available on VOD and OTT services just 16 days later. According to industry data, total ticket sales reached 139,663 by the second week of release, which is a long way from the reported break-even point of 1 million viewers. Koreaboo says that the movie also didn't make it into the top 10 at the box office during its run, which added to its reputation as a commercial failure.
People started responding online right away. Before sharing direct viewer responses, people who commented online said they were unhappy with how the movie was made and what it was about.
One viewer wrote, "It was no more than some Gangnam unnies' streetside shtshow." Another comment stated, "Do not expect the Korean audience to stay interested in K-Movies if y'all are going to write, invest in, and produce sht like this.You don't deserve any attention."
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A separate viewer criticized the marketing, saying, "I mean, they cast Han So Hee and Jeon Jong Seo and marketed the movie as a girls' action one. But then they turned it into shenanigans from a couple of prostitutes. Are you kidding? The whole movie was basically watching them park their cars in the Gangnam bar alleys."
Even though people were excited about the pairing of Han and Jeon at first, critics were not happy with it. Cine21 reviews brought up worries about the story and the substance of the movie. One reviewer said,"Only the characters' flashy visuals survive this empty shell of a movie." Another review read, "Even in a total mess, the women driven by desire keep moving forward," while a third summarized the work as, "Just a stale narrative and superficial style," according to coverage cited by Herald Corp.
People in online communities reacted in the same way. Before quoting users from theqoo, the main topic of conversation was doubt about the film's premise and direction. One post said, "The plot and the title already seem like the movie wouldn't succeed. It's amazing someone even invested to make this."
Another stated, "I don't even understand the actresses who agreed to do something like this. It's so bizarre, they seem thoughtless." Additional comments included, "Gross," and "I don't think I'd even watch it on VOD. I have zero desire to see it."
As "Project Y" gets ready to stream, its reception brings up ongoing discussions about how to market, tell stories, and meet audience expectations in Korean films that focus on women.
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