It is a series of unexpected box office hits.The low-budget film ‘Shinmyeong’, based on former First Lady Kim Kun-hee, has surpassed 600,000 cumulative viewers, showing off its unstoppable box office power.

According to the integrated computer network for movie theater tickets on the 17th, ‘Shinmyeong’, which was released on the 2nd, attracted a total of 601,609 moviegoers as of the 16th, the 15th day since its release.

Produced with a low budget of 1.5 billion won, ‘Shinmyeong’ has maintained a high seat sales rate since its release despite competition with blockbusters, and has continued to write a miraculous box office success story solely through word of mouth and repeated viewings.Responses such as “a shocking story that seems more real than reality”, “the actors ‘possessed acting”, and “a metaphorical restaurant where you see something new the more you watch it” are also pouring in.

To repay this enthusiastic support, the main actors Kim Gyu-ri, Ahn Nae-sang, Joo Sung-hwan, and Myeong Gye-nam attended the stage greetings held in Cheonan, Daejeon, Jeonju, and Gwangju on the 14th and 15th of last week and had a special meeting with the audience.When the actors appeared, the theater was filled with thunderous cheers and applause, and the audience gave the actors their unstinting support and encouragement.

The actors expressed their overwhelming feelings, saying, “We didn’ t know that even local theaters would be filled like this.We are truly grateful,” and “When we see the look in each and every one of your eyes, we feel that we made the right decision to make this movie.”

‘Shinmyeong’ is South Korea’s first occult political thriller that depicts the fierce battle between Yoon Ji-hee(played by Kim Gyu-ri), a woman who seeks to seize power using mystical powers, and a journalist who digs up the great truth hidden above her.


Reporter Seungmi smlee@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.