"Korean films are having a really hard time these days"— Actor Song Joong-ki gets emotional discussing the underwhelming reception of his film Bogota

On January 15, 2025, South Korean media outlet WikiTree reported that actor Song Joong-ki shared his emotions regarding the lackluster performance of his latest film, Bogota: City of the Lost. Speaking at a GV (Guest Visit) event on January 12, where he joined co-stars Lee Hee-jun and Lee Sung-min, the actor expressed his gratitude and struggles during the challenging time for Korean cinema.

Released on December 31, 2024, the film has only attracted approximately 400,000 viewers, a far cry from its 3 million break-even point. The somber atmosphere at the GV was evident when Lee Sung-min remarked on the empty parking lot and sparse audience turnout.

Song Joong-ki echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the difficulties currently faced by Korean films.

"As my senior said, Korean films are having a really hard time these days, but honestly, right now, I'm really thankful that the film is showing in theaters. I've been promoting it harder than ever. I wanted to make it known and look good," Song Joong-ki said.

The event allowed the cast and director to connect directly with audiences and address the film's reception. The emotional discussion revealed the uphill battle Bogota faces in theaters.

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More from the latest Q&A event for Song Joong-ki starrer Bogota

Noting the emotional toll such situations take on actors, Lee Sung-min emphasized the need for resilience, urging audiences to support the film to help it finish strong.

"There are probably many reasons, but it's really hard for actors when there are no audiences in the theater. Especially when a movie is released during that time, I really want to die. But still, the actors are the ones who have to endure it. Please give us a lot of strength so that our movie can go well until the end and help us finish it well," he said.

Song Joong-ki also expressed deep appreciation for the fact that Bogota was showing in theaters, especially amid a competitive landscape dominated by other major releases like Harbin and Firefighters. Despite the challenges, he reaffirmed his commitment to creating meaningful content that can uplift and comfort audiences.

Overwhelmed with emotion, the actor paused during his remarks, visibly holding back tears, before thanking the audience for their support.

"You said the film industry is hard, but our role as actors is to create good content to comfort and make the audience who are having a hard time laugh... I will do my best to make various works and give them strength...As I talk, I start to cry...Thank you."

Bogota: City of the Lost is the latest in a series of box office disappointments for Song Joong-ki, following his 2023 film Hopeless, which only garnered 260,000 viewers. Despite his enduring popularity in Korean dramas such as Reborn Rich and Vincenzo, his recent cinematic ventures have struggled to find commercial success.

This disconnect has fueled discussions about the contrasting appeal of K-dramas and Korean films. The former often enjoy global acclaim, while the latter grapple with local and international challenges.

Adding to the actor’s turbulent period, Song Joong-ki was criticized in December 2024 for his performance in Netflix’s My Name Is Loh Kiwan, for which he was ranked among the "Worst Acting" nominees at the Sanddalki Awards.