The Korean box office is wrapping up a dynamic year of hugely successful films like “Assassination” and “Veteran“ as well as acclaimed smaller art-house films like “Alice in Earnestland,“ but there is little progress to show for mid-sized commercial films.

The last month of 2015 looks to be a continuation of that pattern. Three of Korea’s largest distributors -- CJ Entertainment, Next Entertainment World and Lotte Entertainment -- will be facing off in theaters for the holiday rush.

The Himalayas

Adventure. Directed by Lee Seok-hoon

Opening Dec. 16

CJ Entertainment presents “The Himalayas” directed by Lee Seok-hoon, an adventure film based on the true story of famous Korean mountaineer Uhm Hong-kil and his expedition team who climbed the Himalayas to retrieve the bodies of colleagues who had died on a previous expedition.

Uhm is portrayed by Hwang Jung-min (“Ode to My Father,” “Veteran”), who is backed up by a cast including Jung Woo (known for the TV show “Reply 1994”) and talented supporting actors such as comic relief masters Kim In-kwon (“Clown of a Salesman,” “C’est Si Bon”) and La Mi-ran “Wonderful Nightmare,” TV show “Reply 1988”).

With filming taking place on the actual routes along the Himalayan mountains and Mont Blanc in France, “The Himalayas” is a blockbuster-scale film -- the question is how it will measure up against this year’s American release “Everest” in its visual quality.

“The Himalayas” will be CJ CGV’s second commercial release using its multi-wall Screen X technology following “The Priests.”

The Tiger

Historical adventure. Directed by Park Hoon-jung

Opening Dec. 16

“The Tiger” is NEW’s big presentation of the year, with “Roaring Currents” lead Choi Min-shik returning for the lead role of Man-duk, one of the greatest tiger hunters in Joseon during the Japanese colonization era.

After a traumatic hunting incident, Man-duk lays down his gun, but the greed of the ruling Japanese authorities for Korean tiger hides brings him back out into the forest.

The film’s main attractions will be the movements of the computer-generated titular tiger, who is at the center of the plot, as well as the Korean cast’s interactions with acclaimed Japanese actor Ren Osugi.

Helmed by “New World” screenwriter and director Park Hoon-jung, “The Tiger” hopes to bring one of Korea‘s most beloved and mysterious creatures to life in an action-packed historical drama.

The Magician

Historical drama. Directed by Kim Dai-seung

Opening in December

While “The Himalayas” and “The Tiger” go head-to-head at the box office, Lotte Entertainment’s “The Magician” has yet to announce a formal opening date.

The film, about a magician performing in the Joseon era, has been highly anticipated as heartthrob Yoo Seung-ho’s first film since completing military service. Yoo plays the magician Hwan-hui who unwittingly falls in love with a princess (played by teen romance star Go A-ra) and finds himself unable to resist his love for her despite the social obstacles that come between them.

The plot follows a classic romance frame with dark characters from the protagonists’ past wreaking havoc throughout, and preview clips of the film have featured elaborate sets and costuming to complete the story’s fantastical visual component.

Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)