Historical Drama Outshines Previous 10-Million-Selling Films in 2023

Courtesy of PLUS M ENTERTAINMENT

The film "12.12: The Day" achieved remarkable success by surpassing 12 million ticket sales on the first day of the year, as reported by its distributor, Plus M Entertainment. In the landscape of 2023 film releases, only two films managed to cross the 10 million milestone, with "12.12: The Day" standing out as the more successful entry compared to previous 10-million-selling films like "Tidal Wave" (2009), "Train to Busan" (2016), and "Taegukgi" (2004). 

▲ Courtesy of PLUS M ENTERTAINMENTDirected by Kim Sung-su, known for works such as "Beat" (1997), "Musa" (2001), and "Asura: The City of Madness" (2016), "12.12: The Day" unfolds over nine hours during the historically significant day of December 12, 1979. The narrative centers on a military coup d'état about to erupt in Seoul, featuring actors Hwang Jung-min and Jung Woo-sung portraying fictionalized versions of former President Chun Doo Hwan and a military leader opposing him, respectively.

During the New Year's holidays, "12.12: The Day" and another historical film, "Noryang," which explores the last battle of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, dominated the box office. "Noryang" claimed the top spot with 38.7 percent of ticket sales, while "12.12: The Day" closely followed with 36 percent of sales. Other films in the top five during the New Year weekend included a Crayon Shin-chan animation film, the latest DC Studios release, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," and another animation film, "Trolls Band Together," securing third to fifth place at the box office.

Sayart

Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com