Trends

Chiikawa the Movie Passes 1.9 Million Viewers in Korea: Why It's a Hit and How to Get the CGV Popcorn Bucket

AI-generated image of a plain white popcorn bucket and a small keyring on a cinema lobby counter with blurred red seats behind. White pen lines trace the bucket and a handwritten note reads 'cinema day'.

AT A GLANCE

Movie
Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island
Korea release
September 30, 2026
Viewers
1,904,593 (as of Oct 21, per the Korean Film Council)
CGV popcorn bucket
3 designs (Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi), sold on-site at 25 designated cinemas
Limit
2 per design per person

Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island had drawn 1,904,593 viewers in Korea as of October 21 and is back at No. 1 at the box office. It opened on September 30 and took the top spot back in its third week after a close race. Korean media say Japanese animation is changing the way hits happen in cinemas. Checked: 2026-10-26

The hero image is AI-generated. It shows no characters and is not a photo of a real cinema.

What is Chiikawa?

It’s a character comic by Japanese creator Nagano. The main trio is Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi. Korean fans call the series “meon-jak-gwi,” short for “something small and cute.” The cute art sits next to stories that feel close to everyday life, which is part of why adults like it too.

What happened at the box office

  • Opening day: it took No. 1 from the Korean film Assassin(s).
  • Third week: after a close race, it regained the top spot.
  • Viewers: 1,875,609 on Oct 20 and 1,904,593 on Oct 21. On Oct 21 alone, 28,986 people watched.
  • Cinema perks: CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox each gave out different perks, such as posters, art cards and original tickets. Items could change depending on when you watched.

CGV popcorn bucket rules

Marker illustration of a movie ticket, popcorn bucket, keyring and a phone showing a notice bell

  • Designs: three (Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi), each with a cross strap. (CGV is one of Korea’s biggest cinema chains.)
  • Where: on-site only, at 25 designated cinemas. Not sold through fast-order.
  • First round: started September 30 and ran until each cinema’s stock ran out. The second round was to be announced later.
  • Limit: up to 2 per design per person. Discounts and coupons can’t be combined.

Sales can end without notice once stock runs out. If merch is the goal, check CGV’s notices before you go.

Things to watch out for

  • Popular items often get resold at a markup. Buy from official sellers.
  • Perks differ by cinema chain and by week, so check the notice for your cinema before booking.

Into small, happy purchases? See Korea’s ₩1,000 Daiso keyring trend.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-26.