Ryu Seung-wan's latest film Humint has launched at the top of the Korean box office, signaling a strong start to the Lunar New Year holiday race.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing system, Humint drew 116,747 moviegoers on its opening day (February 12), reaching a cumulative total of 131,632 admissions.

Competing releases Number One (directed by Kim Tae-yong) and The Storm's Hill (directed by Emerald Fennell) opened the same day but recorded more modest results, attracting 17,232 and 10,480 viewers respectively.

A Two-Horse Race for the Holiday Season

Industry observers expect a two-film showdown over the holiday frame. Humint is drawing audiences with its high-intensity action set against the backdrop of Vladivostok, Russia, where characters with conflicting agendas collide in a tense narrative.

Meanwhile, The Man Who Lives with the King secured second place at the box office, selling 86,924 tickets. Its emotionally driven storyline is positioned as a strong counterweight to Humint's action spectacle.

With star power including Zo In-sung and Park Jung-min and a gripping espionage premise, Humint has set the pace early — and the real box office battle is just beginning.