'Roaring Currents' becomes highest-grossing film in Korea

“Roaring Currents,” the historical drama that has taken the country by storm this summer, has become the highest-grossing film ever in Korea, earning 126.9 billion won ($125 million).

The figure from the Korean Film Council puts the drama ahead of 2009’s “Avatar,” which grossed 124.8 billion won. It passed the Hollywood blockbuster on August 17.

The film depicts the epic sea battle between the Josean Kingdom and Japan in 1597, during which general Yi Sun-sin led his navy to victory with only 12 ships against a Japanese fleet of over 300.

It has so far recorded over 15 million viewers on Aug. 20.