The movie Goddess Advent Before High School Debut Edition, starring Koki, the daughter of acclaimed actor Takuya Kimura, premiered on March 20, 2025. Within the first four days of its release, the film garnered approximately 60,000 attendees, bringing in about 80 million yen, which fell short of the 100 million yen mark and landed it in a surprising 9th place at the box office.
With a nationwide release across 311 theaters, the current performance has raised eyebrows, particularly given Koki's previous accolades. In 2024, she acted in the Icelandic film TOUCH, and earlier this year, she won the Rising Star Award at the 18th Asia Film Awards for her role, making her a promising figure in the acting landscape.
Koki first entered the spotlight in 2018 as a model before transitioning to acting in June 2021 with her debut role in the horror film Ushikubi Village. Her performance there was noted for its exaggerated facial expressions, a style that has drawn comparisons to her father's acting years.
Despite these achievements, her recent movie's slow start in terms of viewer engagement could be concerning, especially with the competitive spring break movie season unfolding.
The original narrative of Goddess Advent is based on a popular WEB manga by author Yaongyi, which ran on LINE Manga from April 2018 and consistently topped viewership rankings for over 46 months. The film adaption depicts the protagonist, Reina Tanikawa (portrayed by Koki), who undergoes a transformation through makeup, representing a journey from adolescence to adulthood, complete with themes of love and personal growth.
As the film’s promotional efforts ramp up, Koki has committed herself to a variety of appearances—similar to her father’s career trajectory—hoping to solidify her role as an actress rather than being solely recognized as a model. Just this week, scenes highlighting key moments of romance and friendship from the film were shared publicly, capturing some attention.
However, despite the promotional push, the buzz around the film has yet to fully resonate with audiences. Observers have noted that for a film to succeed in today's digital age, social media chatter and organic word-of-mouth are crucial. The momentum will be essential in attracting a young audience, especially during the spring break.
According to a film writer who caught an early screening, while the narrative may appeal to spring break audiences, they pointed out the importance of word-of-mouth marketing, emphasizing that viewer engagement must increase soon to prevent the film from sliding out of rankings.
Another aspect of this film's release is that it is only part one of a two-part series, with the second part, After Proposal Edition, scheduled for release on May 1, 2025. Traditionally, if the first part underperforms, interest in the sequel may diminish even further, casting a shadow over the potential success of Koki's burgeoning film career.
In her first major romantic comedy role, Koki's character appears to take a transformative journey that extends beyond the superficial aspects of beauty into deeper questions of self-worth and identity. Critics noted that although her performance includes comical expressions that may evoke laughter, there remains a palpable elevation in her acting. Observers suggested that Koki’s portrayal, while charming, still requires refinement as she adapts to the intricacies of dramatic comedic timing.
As Koki progresses from her modeling background, the hope is that she will evolve as a more rounded actress, representing youth loyalty and aspirations. The growth of her career will undoubtedly be closely watched not only by fans but also by industry insiders who have seen her tackle each role with enthusiasm and determination.
The stakes are high for Koki and the production team, with the pressure to turn around this initial lukewarm reception. While they aim to secure higher rankings in the box office, the community's response is critical. If not sufficiently generated, the possibilities for a robust sequel narrative may dwindle.
As the film industry adapts to trends, including remakes from both Japanese and Korean perspectives like this current production, comparisons can be drawn and appreciated by those familiar with both cultures. As Koki embarks on her journey beyond this film, the expectations will shape her artistic path moving forward.
The second part of Goddess Advent promises to roll out its narrative in a way that captivates the audience. How the first segment fares could determine the trajectory of Koki’s film career, laying the groundwork for her evolution as an actress.
