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Indonesian 'Business Proposal' Struggles at Box Office. Disrespect claims spark boycotts across social media
The Indonesian adaptation of A Business Proposal hit cinemas on 6 February 2025 but has seen a rough start at the box office.
Despite being a remake of a popular Korean webtoon and drama, the film’s reception has been lukewarm, with only around 6,900 tickets sold on its debut day.
Fans of the original Korean version have been vocal about boycotting the film, mainly due to controversial remarks made by Abidzar Al-Ghifari, one of the lead actors.
His comments during podcasts were deemed disrespectful to the original creators, sparking outrage among K-drama enthusiasts.
Although Falcon Pictures, the production house behind the film, issued a public apology alongside Abidzar’s own statement on social media, the backlash seems to have taken a toll.
By its second day, cinemas in Jakarta drastically reduced screenings.
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For example, XXI cinemas offered only limited showtimes, and some Cinepolis locations reported having empty auditoriums.
The lack of promotional efforts by Falcon Pictures has also been noted. Unlike other productions, the studio hasn’t actively reshared posts of ticket purchases or engaged with audiences on social media.
Producer Frederica responded to the situation by stating, "We’re just going with our plan as usual. Everyone knows what’s happening; it’s all on social media."
With poor ticket sales and a low IMDb rating of 1.3/10, there’s concern the movie may not last beyond its second week in theatres.
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However, there’s still hope it could gain traction outside Jabodetabek and during the upcoming weekend.
For now, the Indonesian A Business Proposal, starring Ariel Tatum, Abidzar Al-Ghifari, Ardhito Pramono, and Caitlin Halderman, faces an uphill battle to win over audiences.