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Will director Lee Sang-il’s Japanese hit film ‘Kokuho’ find success in Korea?

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By Baek Byung-yeul
  • Published Aug 20, 2025 1:43 pm KST
Actor Ryo Yoshizawa in a scene from director Lee Sang-il’s “Kokuho” / Courtesy of NEW

Actor Ryo Yoshizawa in a scene from director Lee Sang-il’s “Kokuho” / Courtesy of NEW

Korean Japanese filmmaker Lee Sang-il’s latest film, “Kokuho” (meaning national treasure in Japanese), is set to make its highly anticipated debut in Korea later this year, following a phenomenal run in Japan that captivated audiences and critics.

Released on June 6 in Japan, “Kokuho” quickly became a box office sensation, drawing an incredible 7.47 million viewers in just 73 days and grossing 10.5 billion yen ($71 million).

This overwhelming success has secured its place as the third-highest-grossing live-action film in Japanese cinematic history, surpassing the 1998 hit “Bayside Shakedown: The Movie.”

The movie’s local importer Media Castle and distributor NEW said Wednesday that they decided to release “Kokuho” in Korea as the film has brought “a significant shift in the landscape of Japanese cinema for the first time in 27 years.”

The film tells the story of Tachibana Kikuo (Ryo Yoshizawa), a boy born into a yakuza family during Japan’s period of high economic growth, who is adopted into a family of Kabuki actors. He devotes his life to mastering the intricate art form, eventually becoming a celebrated Kabuki star.

“Kokuho” is based on the novel of the same name by Japanese author Shuichi Yoshida. For Korean movie fans, the film is drawing attention as it is directed by third-generation Korean Japanese director Lee, known for films like “Hula Girls” (2006) and “Villain” (2010).

The film also boasts a star-studded cast, including top Japanese actors Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama and Ken Watanabe, as well as rising child star Souya Kurokawa. The production team also features an impressive roster of international talent, including the art director from Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” and the cinematographer from Cannes Palme d’Or winner “Blue is the Warmest Color.”

With its themes of artistic devotion and personal sacrifice, “Kokuho” has been widely praised by Japanese audiences, with many calling it a worthy successor to cinematic masterpieces like Chen Kaige’s 1993 film “Farewell My Concubine.”

The film's release date in Korea is yet to be announced.