The Korean film industry has seen better days.
But it looks like
Jeon Do-yeon 's winning of the Best Actress award from the Cannes Film Festival is fueling renewed interest in her film "
Secret Sunshine", and Korean cinema as a whole.
Son Hee-kyung has this story.
Online ticket sales for the film "
Secret Sunshine" are soaring thanks to actress
Jeon Do-yeon winning the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival.
The country's online ticket site, Interpark, says sales for the movie have nearly tripled since Jeon won the award.
"
Secret Sunshine" is accordingly expected to top the box office this weekend with an expected draw of 800-thousand people, five times higher than last weekend.
Movie critics say interest in the movie should stay high over the coming weeks.
"Receiving an award at the Cannes Film Festival will be a turning point for the Korean film industry. It will save the industry from crisis. No Korean films this year have become hits after a successful 2006".
Korean movies are taking a beat from Hollywood at the box office.
"Spiderman 3" was the country's highest-grossing movie last month, setting several domestic records.
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" is also receiving rave reviews from filmgoers and critics.
Hollywood is also expected to continue its hold over Korea this month with the upcoming premieres of blockbuster sequels like "Ocean's 13", "Die Hard 4.0", and "Shrek the Third".
This is bad news for the Korean film industry, but actress Jeon's award has given the sector a much needed lift.
Movie critics say her award is a beacon of hope for the Korean film industry and should help Korean movies in the second half of the year.
Son Heekyung, Arirang News.
