'Silmido' powers past 6 million viewers
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The Korean film "Silmido" has attracted 6 million viewers in the shortest time in Korean cinema history, sparking speculation that it may break the all-time attendance record held by "Friend", which drew 8.2 million viewers in 2001.
"Silmido", directed by Kang Woo-suk, hit the 6 million mark Sunday, just 26 days after its release on Christmas Eve of last year. By comparison, "Friend" needed 38 days to reach the 6 million mark.
"Silmido" has also outperformed the Hollywood blockbuster "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King", which has lured 5.8 million viewers so far. Korea is the only country in the world where a local film showing simultaneously has surpassed the final installment of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy in audiences.
Audiences are lining up to see "Silmido", which hit the 6 million mark Sunday, just 26 days after its release. The photo shows a scene from the film.
"Silmido", starring Sol Kyung-gu and Ahn Sung-gi, is based on a true story of a secret government project to deploy commandos to Pyongyang to assassinate Kim Il-sung. Only two other films have topped the 6 million mark in Korean cinema history: "Friend" and "Shiri", which drew 6.2 million viewers in 1999. After some controversy, the Korea Association of Film Art & Industry ruled that "JSA", another popular film, had lured 5.8 million viewers in 2000. Last year's biggest hit "Memories of Murder" reached 5.3 million viewers.
By Kim Jin
"Silmido", directed by Kang Woo-suk, hit the 6 million mark Sunday, just 26 days after its release on Christmas Eve of last year. By comparison, "Friend" needed 38 days to reach the 6 million mark.
"Silmido" has also outperformed the Hollywood blockbuster "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King", which has lured 5.8 million viewers so far. Korea is the only country in the world where a local film showing simultaneously has surpassed the final installment of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy in audiences.
Audiences are lining up to see "Silmido", which hit the 6 million mark Sunday, just 26 days after its release. The photo shows a scene from the film.
"Silmido", starring Sol Kyung-gu and Ahn Sung-gi, is based on a true story of a secret government project to deploy commandos to Pyongyang to assassinate Kim Il-sung. Only two other films have topped the 6 million mark in Korean cinema history: "Friend" and "Shiri", which drew 6.2 million viewers in 1999. After some controversy, the Korea Association of Film Art & Industry ruled that "JSA", another popular film, had lured 5.8 million viewers in 2000. Last year's biggest hit "Memories of Murder" reached 5.3 million viewers.
By Kim Jin
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