SHOWBOX

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.

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

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

• Korean film production
• Film distribution services
• Theatrical film releases
• International film sales
• Film rights licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Gangneung

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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

Core 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

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Naver WebtoonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Showbox 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 ENMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 May 2026CJ 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 USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2026Well 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 PlaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 April 2026Coupang 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026The Lamp (더램프) is listed as the production company for 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' (살목지), with Showbox as the provider (제공) and distributor (배급).
• Onda WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Onda 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

Market position

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/showboxmovie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SHOWBOX