Korean zombie film 'Train to Busan' gets international attention

“Train to Busan” topped the Vietnamese box office in the film’s opening week. / Courtesy of Next Entertainment World

By Lee Jin-a

Korean zombie film “Train to Busan,” which reached the 10 million viewer mark here early this month, is expanding into North America, Europe and Southeast Asia, drawing screams of joy from local viewers.

The film hit theaters in Vietnam on Aug. 11, drawing an enthusiastic response. The film topped the Vietnamese box office in the first week of release, outperforming Hollywood superhero film “Suicide Squad.”

“Train to Busan” earned $470,000 as of Thursday, the highest opening week sales among Korean films screened in Vietnam.

The movie has earned more than $1.4 million in North America and $1.65 million in Singapore. “Train to Busan” is screening in 256 theaters across France, the most theaters dedicated to a Korean film.

Korea's first zombie blockbuster attracted global attention when it debuted in the Out of Competition category at the Cannes Film Festival in May. It also won top prize at the 20th Fantasia International Festival on Aug 3.

Drawing more than 11 million viewers, “Trip to Busan” became the 11th most-viewed film in Korea on Thursday and has been exported to 156 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, India, Germany, Australia and Japan.