Record-Breaking Horror Film 'Backrooms' Draws Over 1 Million Viewers in South Korea

The chilling film "Backrooms" is making waves in South Korea, shattering records by attracting over 1 million viewers in just 21 days since its premiere. This remarkable achievement marks it as the first foreign-language horror film in seven years to reach such a significant audience milestone in the country, igniting a widespread phenomenon.

"Backrooms" draws its unsettling atmosphere from a globally recognized internet creepypasta, known for its seemingly infinite yellow corridors, flickering fluorescent lights, and claustrophobic, inescapable spaces. This blend of the familiar and the bizarre has resonated deeply, particularly with younger audiences. Data indicates that viewers aged 20 to 30 form the core demographic, with many returning for multiple viewings to uncover hidden Easter eggs and unravel the film's intricate world-building.

According to CGV ticketing data, individuals in their 20s constituted the largest segment of the audience at 38%, followed by those in their teens and 30s, each accounting for 19%. This demonstrates a clear trend of the 20-30 age group dominating the box office. The gender distribution is nearly even, with men making up 53% and women 47% of the audience.

The film's impact extends beyond the cinema, transforming into a large-scale online puzzle and discussion event. Social media platforms are flooded with detailed plot analyses and theories about hidden clues. In a testament to its cultural penetration, some netizens have even captured and shared images of late-night subway stations and underground passages featuring yellow-lit corridors, labeling them "real-life Backrooms" and garnering massive engagement.