By Zephyria 
Today (24th) Premiere of ‘Dissolve’ Surpasses 400,000 Pre-sale Tickets, No. 1 in Ticket Sales
The movie ‘Dissolve’ is premiering today with over 400,000 pre-sale tickets sold.
This is based on real-time ticket sales data from the Korea Film Council as of 8 AM today, the 24th. This marks a personal record for director Jung Joon-hee and the highest record for a Korean film released this year.
Director Jung Joon-hee has a solid fan base with his traditional melodrama style, which doesn’t chase trends. However, he hasn’t seen much success in terms of popularity or box office numbers. Therefore, ‘Dissolve’ is being seen as an exceptional case.
It is speculated that Yoon Joo-ho, a global star with nearly 50 million followers, starring in his first movie has contributed to the high ticket sales and buzz. However, even considering that, it is an impressive achievement for a psychological thriller melodrama rated 19+, rather than an entertainment film.
The movie ‘Dissolve’ will be released nationwide in theaters today, Christmas Eve, the 24th. The break-even point for the low-budget film ‘Dissolve’ is 1.5 million viewers. Insiders predict that it will surpass the break-even point within 2-3 days.
Meanwhile, the cast of ‘Dissolve’ is scheduled to hold stage greetings to celebrate the premiere.
The server of the movie theaters crashed when ticket sales began for the screenings that included stage greetings, which became a hot topic. The actors’ stage greetings will continue until early next year.
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It was a little past 8 PM when they came down after finishing the last stage greeting. Thanks to Yoon Joo-ho’s request to “Please don’t leave after the stage greeting and watch the movie until the end,” it seemed that there weren’t many people leaving.
To avoid chaos, the actors quickly exited through the theater staff-only passage. However, dozens of fans were already waiting for Yoon Joo-ho outside the exit. Even after Yoon Joo-ho and Song Hyun-soo got into the car, the managers who remained behind had to restrain the fans for safety.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, even more people were gathered in front of the theater. Someone recognized Yoon Joo-ho’s car, and the crowd surrounded the vehicle in an instant. It took more than 30 minutes just to get out of the theater.
Sitting side by side in the third row of the Escalade, as if hiding, the two could finally breathe a sigh of relief after the car received the first green light and moved away from the theater.
“Hyung, what would you like to do? Should I take you straight home?”
Jung-ho, who was driving, glanced at the back seat through the rearview mirror and asked.
“Yeah, home.”
Yoon Joo-ho’s voice, replying briefly, sounded quite tired.
“It’s Christmas Eve. Aren’t you going anywhere?”
Song Hyun-soo, who was sprawled next to Yoon Joo-ho, mumbled while rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.
“I don’t even have the strength to lift a finger. I don’t need food, I just want to wash up and sleep…”
Both of them were exhausted after completing a total of 10 stage greetings at 4 movie theaters.
“Well, you must have been more sensitive than usual because it was the premiere day, and the stage greeting schedule was a bit tight.”
“I don’t even know how I did the stage greetings. Jung-ho, did I say anything weird?”
Song Hyun-soo raised his slumped upper body and hugged the seat in the second row.
“You didn’t say anything weird at all. The response was great, didn’t you feel it on stage?”
“When I stand there, I just can’t see anything. I can’t think of anything.”
“You gained over 30,000 followers today!”
Even though Jung-ho didn’t stand on stage, he had been keeping up with the same schedule all day, but there was no sign of exhaustion in his voice. Seeing him excited about the news of the increased number of followers, it seemed that he was really cut out to be a manager.
“The photo you uploaded in the middle of the stage greeting earlier has over 20,000 hearts now! The audience reviews on SNS are also great, and the ticket sales are still number one.”
Yoon Joo-ho and Song Hyun-soo looked at each other. Hearing that the audience’s reaction was good, they seemed to regain their appetite and energy. Still, it’s our first movie premiere, and it’s Christmas Eve. Should we suggest eating cake or something?
While thinking that, Song Hyun-soo made eye contact with Yoon Joo-ho, who was styled handsomely. Ah… he looks more sexy than usual because he looks tired, our Joo-ho hyung.
“Hyun-soo hyung, you’re getting a call?”
Jung-ho, who was waiting at a traffic light, stretched out his body and handed the phone over. It was Song Hyun-soo’s phone, which Jung-ho had been managing throughout the day’s schedule. After checking the caller ID, he muttered to himself without realizing it.
“Oh? It’s Ji-in hyung.”
“……”
Sensing the atmosphere, Jung-ho quickly closed the curtain between the first and second rows.
Song Hyun-soo glanced at Yoon Joo-ho.
“Should I… answer it?”
“Since when did you need my permission?”
He was leaning his head against the headrest without even changing his expression, so it seemed like he really didn’t care. Well, we’re a solid couple now, so we don’t need to argue over things like this anymore.
Feeling proud inside, he connected the call.
“Hyung!”
[Song Hyun-soo. Congratulations on the premiere.]
Jung Ji-in’s voice sounded excited.
“Haha. Thank you, hyung.”
[The manager told me that your schedule would be over around this time.]
“That’s right. I’m in the car now.”
[On your way home?]
“Yes.”
[Together?]
“…Yes.”
Answering a beat late, Song Hyun-soo’s gaze once again sought out Yoon Joo-ho. He was staring at him, leaning loosely against the headrest. Maybe it was because of his languid eyes, or maybe it was because of his relaxed posture, but he had a strangely sexy vibe from earlier.
[You’ve worked hard. The stage greeting schedule was a bit much for a premiere day.]
“I’m really out of it.”
[Yeah, it must have been.]
Thump. Yoon Joo-ho’s head rested on Song Hyun-soo’s right shoulder. Oh… my. Just that alone made Song Hyun-soo swallow hard because he was nervous for no reason.
[I watched the movie today too, Hyun-soo.]
“Oh? You already watched it today??”
[I watched it with Han.]
“Shouldn’t you have been on a date since it’s Christmas Eve?”
[It was a date, so we watched it.]
The two, who reside in Paris, had temporarily returned to Korea to spend the end of the year. They were scheduled to meet with Song Hyun-soo in a few days.
[The movie and your acting were really good.]
“…Really?”
Jung Ji-in is a kind and gentle person, but he is not soft. He would rather choose silence than offer lip service that he doesn’t mean. So, his recognition meant more to Song Hyun-soo than a line from any critic.
[After watching the movie, I wanted to act too. It was that impressive.]
That is probably the best compliment for any actor. All day, he had been preoccupied with the thought of having to finish the stage greetings well, but suddenly, the fact that the movie had premiered made his heart race.
“Thank you, hyung…”
[I’m thankful as an audience member for you letting me see a great work.]
“……”
Yoon Joo-ho, who seemed to be quietly leaning his head and closing his eyes, stroked Song Hyun-soo’s arm and went down to find and hold his hand. Then, like a sleepy child, he rubbed his face against his shoulder. What is he doing being so cute.
[Is the appointment on the 31st still valid?]
“O-of course. There are no… stage greetings that day!”
[Even if there aren’t any on the day, you must be very tired.]
“Still, I have to see hyung. And I want to properly wrap up my part-time job too.”
The day he was supposed to meet Jung Ji-in was also Jessica’s last day of work. While juggling the promotional schedule, he had been going to work once a week as promised, but now that the movie had premiered, it seemed difficult to continue. He had been putting it off as much as possible, but now it was really time to wrap things up. A full-fledged life as an actor was waiting for Song Hyun-soo.
[Okay, then let’s make sure to see each other, even if it’s a bit much.]
“It’s not too much, so don’t worry, hyung.”
[The promotional schedule must be tough, so take care of yourself and eat well. Well… it seems like there’s someone who’s taking good care of you, so I don’t think I need to worry.]
“Ah… haha.”
Song Hyun-soo, embarrassed by the story implying Yoon Joo-ho’s existence, laughed awkwardly. And he stroked the cheek of the man who was leaning on his shoulder like a tired child.
“My senior is taking good care of me.”
[I can tell just by watching the stage greeting videos.]
“He follows me around and is overprotective… you know?”
Yoon Joo-ho suddenly bit his shoulder tightly, causing his voice to twist.
As soon as he ended the call, he tickled Song Hyun-soo’s side as if he had been waiting for it.
“I follow you around? I’m overprotective?”
“You are overprotective, you admitted it too… um… uhm.”
Song Hyun-soo’s lips, who was trying to hold back his laughter, were swallowed by him. He thought he would give him a playful, rough kiss, but unlike his expectations, his lips moved gently like their first kiss.
Outside the car window, Seoul was ready to celebrate Christmas.
All the lights in the city sparkled more fantastically than usual. The neon signs, the lights in the shop windows, and even the taillights of the cars. All the lights were like decorations on a Christmas tree. The night of Christmas Eve was sweetly deepening.