The hit movie "Welcome to Dongmakgol" by Park Kwang-hyeon, selected as Korea's entry for the 78th Academy Awards, will compete with movies from a record 58 countries in the Foreign Language Film category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday a record 58 countries have submitted films for consideration in the category. Only one movie from each country can be recommended.
The fantasy movie about the Korean War is set in the peaceful yet mysterious mountain village of Dongmakgol, where news that the war has broken out has not reached. Soldiers from South and North Korea and the U.S. who happen to meet there by chance start to open their hearts to each other influenced by the innocent villagers. Since its release on Aug. 3, the movie has drawn 7.97 million viewers and is expected to break the 8 million barrier soon.
The War epic "Taegukgi" directed by Kang Je-gyu ranked first in the list of Korea's all-time blockbusters with 11.74 million movie goers, followed by "Silmido" -- a film depicting an abortive scheme to assassinate North Korea's leader in the late 1960s directed by Kang Woo-seok -- with 11.08 million, and Friend by Kwak Gyeong-taek with 8.18 million.
So far no Korean film has been nominated for an Oscar. The decision on the five nominees will be made on Jan. 31, and the 78th Academy Awards will be presented on March 5 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
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