SHOWBOX
SHOWBOX is a South Korean film production and distribution company producing Korean-language theatrical films and distributing them domestically, internationally (124+ territories), and via streaming partners, with a 55.4% share of the Korean box office in Q1 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersGangneung, South Korea
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What SHOWBOX does
SHOWBOX is a privately held South Korean film production and distribution company headquartered in the Gangnam district of Seoul, founded circa 1999 (with production operations dating to at least 2002). The company's core business is producing Korean-language theatrical films across genres — historical drama, horror, thriller, and action — and distributing them through three primary channels: domestic theatrical release in South Korea, international theatrical sales through regional distributors, and post-theatrical streaming licensing.
Its 2026 slate has been commercially exceptional: 'The King's Warden' became Korea's highest-grossing domestic release ever at 156.9 billion won (~$108M) with 15.73 million admissions; 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' became the second-most-watched Korean horror film of all time (2.72 million admissions); and 'Colony' premiered at Cannes and was pre-sold to 124 territories. Showbox captured 55.4% of total Korean box office revenue in Q1 2026, with four consecutive profitable releases.
The business model combines production equity investment, theatrical distribution fees, international territory pre-sales, and streaming licensing. Showbox is also extending franchise IP into adjacent media — including a 'Maengjong' webtoon spinoff of 'Exhuma' with Naver Webtoon, a ReelShort microdrama co-production deal, and a North American distribution partnership with Well Go USA — while maintaining core theatrical distribution in Korea with a 51–100 employee organization led by Representative Director Shin Ho-jung.
SHOWBOX firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SHOWBOX
- Legal name
- (주)쇼박스
- Website
- https://showbox.co.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SHOWBOX is a South Korean film production and distribution company producing Korean-language theatrical films and distributing them domestically, internationally (124+ territories), and via streaming partners, with a 55.4% share of the Korean box office in Q1 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SHOWBOX industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film Production and Distribution
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Theatrical Distribution (Domestic) (MPADAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Theatrical Distribution (International) (MPADAJAB), Home Entertainment Distribution (Digital: TVOD/EST) (MPADAJAE), Pay-TV / Premium Window Distribution (MPADAJAH), Catalog / Library Distribution & Re-Release (MPADAJAK)
Keywords
Where SHOWBOX is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gangneung
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
SHOWBOX business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Theatrical Box Office: Primary revenue from domestic Korean theatrical distribution of films. Showbox captured 55.4% of total Korean market revenue in Q1 2026, driven by 'The King's Warden' grossing 151.8 billion won
- Streaming Licensing: Revenue from licensing completed films to streaming platforms. 'The King's Warden' streaming release on Coupang Play began 76 days after theatrical opening
- Film Production Investment: Showbox invests in film production alongside production companies, taking equity stakes and distribution fees. For 'The King's Warden', investment came from Showbox with production by Onda Works
- International Sales: Pre-selling film distribution rights to international territories. 'Colony' pre-sold to 124 territories ahead of Cannes premiere
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels2 records
SHOWBOX product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SHOWBOX produces Korean-language feature films across genres including historical drama, horror, and thriller, and serves as the theatrical distributor in South Korea. The company also runs an international distribution operation that pre-sells rights to regional distributors across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America and licenses completed films to streaming platforms after the theatrical window.
Product overview
Showbox is a South Korean film production and distribution company that operates as a single-brand content studio. The company's primary offering is Korean-language film production, including horror films (Salmokji: Whispering Water, Exhuma), thrillers (Colony), and historical dramas (The King's Warden). Showbox distributes its content both domestically in South Korea and internationally through pre-sales to territories worldwide. The company also licenses its intellectual properties for adaptation across other media platforms, such as the Exhuma webtoon partnership with Naver Webtoon.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The King's Warden (왕과 사는 남자) A South Korean historical drama directed by Jang Hang-jun that reimagines the exile of King Danjong during the Joseon Dynasty. It became the highest-grossing domestic release in Korean cinema history with 15.73 million admissions and 151.8 billion won in box office revenue.
- Salmokji: Whispering Water (살목지) A South Korean horror film directed by Lee Sang-min about a film crew shooting at a reservoir who encounter supernatural phenomena related to water ghosts. It became the second-most-watched Korean horror film of all time with 2.72 million admissions.
- Colony (군체) A zombie thriller directed by Yeon Sang-ho featuring a new strain of hive-mind zombies that can collectively track victims inside a sealed building during a viral outbreak. The film stars Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Kim Shin-rok, and Shin Hyun-been.
- Exhuma (파묘) A South Korean occult film that attracted over 10 million moviegoers, becoming one of Korea's biggest box office sensations of recent years. SHOWBOX produced and distributed the film and subsequently licensed its IP for a prequel webtoon spinoff 'Maengjong' with Naver Webtoon.
- Film Production and Distribution Services SHOWBOX's core service offering, producing Korean-language feature films and distributing them domestically in South Korea and internationally to 124+ territories through regional distribution partners. The service also includes streaming licensing to platforms such as Coupang Play and IP extension into adjacent media (e.g. Naver Webtoon).
Quantifiable outcome
- 156.9 billion won box office gross for 'The King's Warden', making it Korea's highest-grossing film ever
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SHOWBOX
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SHOWBOX technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
SHOWBOX partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Naver WebtoonminorShowbox collaborated with Naver Webtoon to create 'Maengjong', a prequel webtoon spinoff of the blockbuster film 'Exhuma'. Showbox provided IP rights for the adaptation created by writer Haemuri.
- CJ ENMminorCJ ENM was active at Cannes pursuing global sales alongside Showbox. Both companies represent Korean content at international markets, with CJ ENM selling titles including 'Paradise Lost' and 'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub'.
- Well Go USAcoreWell Go USA handles North American theatrical distribution for Showbox films including 'Colony' with release scheduled for August 28. This partnership provides Showbox access to the significant North American Korean film market.
- Coupang PlaycoreCoupang Play acquired streaming rights for 'The King's Warden' 76 days after theatrical opening. The streaming release includes upgraded CGI effects for enhanced viewing experience.
- The Lamp (더램프)coreThe Lamp (더램프) is listed as the production company for 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' (살목지), with Showbox as the provider (제공) and distributor (배급).
- Onda WorkscoreOnda Works produced 'The King's Warden' with investment from Showbox. Onda Works CEO Lim Eun-jung started the production company in 2023 specifically for this project. Showbox provided distribution and investment funding.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
SHOWBOX competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SHOWBOX social profiles
Digital presenceSHOWBOX financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SHOWBOX leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SHOWBOX funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SHOWBOX M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SHOWBOX
What does SHOWBOX do?
SHOWBOX produces Korean-language feature films across genres including historical drama, horror, and thriller, and serves as the theatrical distributor in South Korea. The company also runs an international distribution operation that pre-sells rights to regional distributors across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America and licenses completed films to streaming platforms after the theatrical window.
Is SHOWBOX a public or private company?
SHOWBOX is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SHOWBOX founded?
SHOWBOX was founded in 1999. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SHOWBOX based?
SHOWBOX is headquartered in Gangneung, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does SHOWBOX make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Theatrical Box Office is the primary driver. The others are streaming Licensing, film Production Investment and international Sales.
Does SHOWBOX have an API?
No public API is recorded for SHOWBOX.
What industry is SHOWBOX in?
SHOWBOX's product category is Film Production and Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAJAA, Theatrical Distribution (Domestic), with a secondary code of MPADAJAB, Theatrical Distribution (International). Its NAICS code is 51212 and its SIC code is 7822.