The Korean film "Silmido" has attracted 6 million viewers in the shortest time in Korean cinema history, sparking speculation that it may break the all-time attendance record held by "Friend", which drew 8.2 million viewers in 2001.
"Silmido", directed by Kang Woo-suk, hit the 6 million mark Sunday, just 26 days after its release on Christmas Eve of last year. By comparison, Friend needed 38 days to reach the 6 million mark.
"Silmido" has also outperformed the Hollywood blockbuster "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King", which has lured 5.8 million viewers so far. Korea is the only country in the world where a local film showing simultaneously has surpassed the final installment of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy in audiences.
Audiences are lining up to see "Silmido", which hit the 6 million mark Sunday, just 26 days after its release. The photo shows a scene from the film.
"Silmido", starring Sol Kyung-gu and Ahn Sung-gi, is based on a true story of a secret government project to deploy commandos to Pyongyang to assassinate Kim Il-sung. Only two other films have topped the 6 million mark in Korean cinema history: Friend and "Shiri", which drew 6.2 million viewers in 1999. After some controversy, the Korea Association of Film Art & Industry ruled that "JSA", another popular film, had lured 5.8 million viewers in 2000. Last year's biggest hit "Memories of Murder" reached 5.3 million viewers.
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