Look Back live-action surpasses 100,000 viewers in 11 days

The live-action adaptation of Look Back, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, has surpassed 100,000 viewers in South Korea eleven days after its release. The film hit theaters on October 8 and, according to data from the integrated box-office system collected on the 18th, it has already passed that figure.

The film remains the box-office leader among the week's new releases and consistently tops revenue within arthouse cinema. That's no small feat: we're talking about a title that doesn't compete with big blockbusters, but rather operates in a smaller circuit, and it has still managed to hold audience interest.

A short story that makes the leap to the big screen

Look Back adapts the manga of the same name by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of Chainsaw Man. The story follows two girls who share a passion for drawing and build a friendship across the seasons, as their lives intertwine in a way that marks both of them forever.

Kore-eda, known for titles like Shoplifters and Broker, handles direction, script, and editing. Having a filmmaker of his caliber take on an adaptation so beloved by manga readers generated anticipation even before its release, and the box-office numbers confirm that the curiosity has translated into full theaters.

Critical backing and word of mouth

The film screened in the special section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, where it received a very positive reception from both audiences and the specialized press. Tickets for the meet-and-greet events with the director and cast organized for the release sold out as soon as sales opened, another sign of the anticipation surrounding the project.

For now, Look Back is playing at Megabox theaters in South Korea. There's still no news about distribution in other countries, so those who want to see it outside Korea will have to wait for international licenses to be announced.

Fujimoto's original manga is one of those titles you read in one sitting and that stays with you for days. Seeing how Kore-eda has translated it to live-action sparks a lot of curiosity, especially given his way of directing intimate stories centered on family bonds and friendships.

Would you like this adaptation to reach theaters in your country or a streaming platform? Tell us in the comments what you expect from Kore-eda's version.