A reality-driven romance has struck a chord with audiences. The film What If We has claimed first place at the domestic box office.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing network, What If We drew 54,918 moviegoers on January 7, bringing its cumulative audience to 647,872.

This marks the first time since its release that the film has overtaken Avatar: Fire and Ash. On the same day, Avatar: Fire and Ash recorded 46,674 admissions.

The result is considered exceptional, given the significant gap in screen count. Avatar: Fire and Ash was shown on 1,518 screens nationwide, while What If We secured 925.

The momentum is largely driven by word of mouth. Adapted from a Chinese original and reinterpreted with a distinctly Korean sensibility, the film stars Gu Kyo-hwan and Moon Ga-young as former lovers who reunite a decade after their breakup.

Meanwhile, Zootopia 2 ranked third with 22,565 viewers, followed by Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight in fourth place with 13,453 admissions.