Exo’s D.O and actress Kim So Hyun attend a recent press conference for “Pure Love” at the Lotte Cinema in Seoul, Korea. (Photo : YouTube/PROS CONS)
The Korean Film Council recently disclosed that K-pop stars' films unexpectedly pulled in more viewers across the globe. Currently, the present domestic box office in South Korea is dominated by "Spirits' Homecoming."
On the other hand, KOFIC revealed that the newly released film titled "Unforgettable" is apparently drawing more buyers abroad. Starring EXO member Doo Kyung-So also known as D.O and "Moon Embracing the Sun" actress Kim So Hyun, the film narrates the love story of an innocent boy, who commits his love to a young girl that carries a bruised heart.
KOFIC's Distribution Promotion Team Director Han Sang-hee said that the film was a standout amongst the most popular movies sold to a large number of international buyers during the 20th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market, the biggest film and TV commercial center in Asia.
FILMART facilitates exhibits related to the Entertainment industry, where cross-media and cross-sector collaborations are promoted. This year's event has reportedly gathered 800 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions, including Korea, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, the Philippines and U.S.
"Domestic movies starring K-pop idols such as EXO or Korean wave star Lee Min-ho are the best sellers here, even though some of them weren't successful in the local market," Hans told The Korea Times. "The Korean box office hits don't seem to always do well in the overseas markets."
While it is no secret that the Korean wave continues to expand across the globe, local box office rankers such as "Spirits' Homecoming" and "DONGJU: The Portrait of a Poet," are having difficulty attracting the viewers' attention.
An official from M-Line Distribution said that only buyers from mainland China and Taiwan are interested in "Spirits' Homecoming," a sensitive Korean film based on the true story of wartime sex slaves known as "comfort women," during the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1943.
Nonetheless, due to the film's plot and character driven screenplay structure, "Spirits' Homecoming" holds the first spot in the local box office hit by attracting154,726 moviegoers, The Dong-a Ilbo reported. The film has already debuted in the United States and Canada and will also have its international screenings in Australia and New Zealand following Korean American community's plea for the said movie to be screened in local theaters.
Watch the official trailer of "Unforgettable" below:
