'A Taxi Driver' attracts 10 million moviegoers; 15th Korean film in history

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Sat, December 9, 2023 | 08:59

Films

'A Taxi Driver' attracts 10 million moviegoers; 15th Korean film in history

Posted : 2017-08-20 17:16

Updated : 2017-08-21 10:41

The taxi that appeared in the mega-hit movie "A Taxi Driver" is exhibited in front of former South Jeolla Provincial Office in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, to celebrate the movie's attracting over 10 million audiences, Sunday. / Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

"A Taxi Driver," the film portraying events of the Gwangju pro-democracy movement in 1980, has become the first film to attract over 10 million moviegoers this year.

The movie, released Aug. 2, drew 10,068,708 moviegoers as of 8 a.m. Sunday, film distributor ShowBox said.

Only 18 movies have sold over 10 million tickets in Korea, including Hollywood blockbusters "Avatar" (2009) "Interstellar" (2014) and "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015).

"A Taxi Driver" became the 15th Korean movie to cross the milestone. The Korean naval war film "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" based on the historical Battle of Myeongnyang, stands on top of the highest grossing film list drawing 17.6 million people.

Jang Hoon, director of "A Taxi Driver," thanked the actors and production staff while speaking of his relief and gratitude that he was able to communicate with the audience through his cinematic work.

"As the movie deals with the sensitive topic of the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising and those who witnessed the events are still alive today, I felt burdensome that my work could disappoint some audience members," said Jang in an interview with the local press.

"A Taxi Driver" is based on the true story of German journalist Jurgen Hinzpeter, played by Thomas Kretschmann, who sneaks into the southwestern city of Gwangju, and plays a crucial role in reporting the massacre of civilians fighting for democracy against the then military junta.

Hinzpter, who is called by his nickname Peter, travels some 250 kilometers south from Seoul with the help of cabbie Kim Man-seob, played by Song Kang-ho.

Kim is in it for the money Peter pays him to take him to Gwangju, initially, unaware that it could be a life-risking journey. When he realizes he could face danger with the government repressing any civilians they suspect as being protesters, he falls into a dilemma of whether he should leave Peter behind and go back to Seoul or take the German with him.

When the filmmaker read the scenario of "A Taxi Driver," he thought nobody but Song could play the role of Kim.

"Song's acting surpasses typical universality entertaining the audience in a new and enjoyable way," said Jang.

With his role of playing a familiar warmhearted character in the movie, Song became the first Korean actor to appear in three films that have attracted more than 10 million moviegoers

He is often perceived as a working-class ordinary man in his 40s who could easily be found living next door. This time, Song took the role of a common taxi driver who accidentally gets involved in the historical incident.

In his movie "The Host" (2006) that first recorded over 10 million admissions, Song played a snack bar owner who fights a genetically modified creature that has kidnapped his daughter by the Han River.

In "The Attorney," Song's second film that pulled in more than 10 million viewers in 2013, he played the late President Roh Moo-hyun, who defended the people against military governments.

This time, Song again rises as a hero playing a crucial role alongside the German reporter on the screen.

jhkim@ktimes.com