Stream Classics to Latest K-Movies & Shows at OnDemandKorea

"The Host" to Break Box Office Record

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

"The Host", a science-fiction film about a mutant monster terrorizing Seoul, is expected to become the most-watched film in Korean cinema history this weekend. The film by director Bong Joon-ho is poised to surpass the 12.3 million viewer record currently held by "The King and Clown", around Saturday.

"The Host" was released July 27, but continues to attract hordes of Koreans to movie theaters, hitting the 10-million-viewer mark after only 21 days, the fastest time to achieve this record.

The film is currently showing in a total of 620 theaters nationwide, which is the biggest number of screens showing a domestic film.

Only three local movies have surpassed the 10 million-viewer mark, namely "Silmido" (2003), "Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War" (2004) and most recently, "The King and Clown" (2005).

"Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War", a film about the Korean War, previously held the record for the shortest period to attract 10 million viewers _ 39 days in 2004.

Last year, the "The King and Clown" attracted 10 million viewers in 45 days, while "Silmido" passed the 10 million mark in 58 days in 2003.

"The Host" had a budget of 15 billion won and gained rave reviews for its exceptional computer graphics and special effects. While the main story is about a family's fight against a mutant monster from the Han River, the film also touches on social and political issues in Korea.

With its phenomenal success in Korea, the film is scheduled for release in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia later this year.

There are also reported plans for the film to be released in Western Europe later this year, as well as in the United States next year.

Advertisement

❎ Try Ad-free