Director
Yoo Ha's sexually charged courtly drama, "
A Frozen Flower", took in over 1 million admissions in its first four days, setting an all time record for an adult-rated film. Released on the eve of New Year's Eve, Dec 30, the film's total box office take from Tuesday to Sunday was an impressive US $ 6.9 million.
The tale of a love triangle between a homosexual king, his bodyguard, and the king's wife, is set in Korea's invasion-beset Goryeo Dynasty. It stars actor
Jo In-Seong (previously in YOO's "
A Dirty Carnival") as the bodyguard caught between fear and desire. The film, which received much media attention for its daring homosexual scenes, was released on 500 screens by distributor Showbox.
The film knocked December champion, "Scandal Makers" ("
Speedy Scandal"), down to second place. The Lotte released comedy ended a struggling year for the Korean film industry on a high note, taking in $26 million in one month, making it the sixth biggest gross of 2008.
Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)
