Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
'Ode to my Father' hits 10 million in ticket sales
Movie-goers buy tickets at a theater in Yeouido, Seoul, on Jan. 4. "Ode to my Father" surpassed 10 million in ticket sales, Tuesday. / Yonhap
By Kim Bo-eun
Director Youn Je-Kyoun’s “Ode to my Father” is the first film to hit 10 million ticket sales this year.
The Korea Film Council said Wednesday the film had accumulated sales of 10,000,677 tickets after 154,606 people saw it at 848 theaters across the country on Tuesday. The film was released on Dec. 17.
“Ode to my Father” is the 14th movie to reach 10 million, and the 11th among domestic films.
It has been number one since the day after it was released. The state-run council attributes the success to the large middle-aged and elderly audience.
The film depicts the life of a man who sacrifices his dreams to support his family in the 1950s up to the present.
On New Year’s Day, a record-setting 751,253 people watched the film at 941 theaters, exceeding 672,682 who last year saw “The Attorney,” another box hit that drew more than 10 million viewers.
Youn also became the first director with two films to top 10 million. “Haeundae,” Korea’s first disaster film released in 2009, attracted 11,450,000 viewers the same year.
One critic caused controversy by calling Youn’s latest film a “conservative” movie that “glorifies the sacrifices of the older generation.” The controversy, however, may well have attracted more viewers.
Domestic films that topped 10 million in ticket sales are, in order of sales: “Roaring Currents” (2014) 17.6 million: “The Host” (2006) 13.01 million; “The Thieves” (2012) 12.98 million, “Miracle in Cell No.7” (2013) 12.81 million; “Masquerade” (2012) 12.31 million: “King and the Clown” (2005) 12.3 million; “TaeGukGi: Brotherhood of War” (2004) 11.74 million; “Haeundae (2009) 11.45 million, “The Attorney” (2013) 11.37 million; and “Silmido” (2003) 11.08 million.
Foreign films are “Avatar” (2009) 13.62 million, “Frozen” (2014) 10.29 million and “Interstellar” (2014) 10.24 million as of Wednesday.