The upcoming film ‘Harbin,’ which depicts the heroic mission of Korean independence fighter An Jung-geun, has captured significant attention ahead of its release, topping advance ticket sales in South Korea.
According to data from the Korean Film Council as of 11:30 AM on December 16(KST), ‘Harbin’ leads with a reservation rate of 31.4%. The film has already surpassed 95,000 pre-sold tickets and is on the verge of breaking the 100,000 mark. It holds a commanding lead over ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ (16.8%) and ‘The Firefighter’ (9.8%).
Directed by Woo Min-ho, ‘Harbin’ is his sixth feature film. The story unfolds in 1909 Harbin, portraying the tense clash between Korean independence fighters and forces pursuing them. Hyun Bin stars as An Jung-geun, with Park Jung-min as Woo Deok-soon and Yoo Jae-myung as Choi Jae-hyung. Supporting roles are played by Jo Woo-jin, Lee Dong-wook, and Jeon Yeo-been as fictional characters Kim Sang-hyun, Lee Chang-seop, and Gong Bu-in. Japanese actor Lily Franky (Masaya Nakagawa) also joins the cast as Ito Hirobumi, adding an international touch to the film’s lineup.
The film was shot on a grand scale across multiple global locations, with production wrapping up in March last year. With a production budget of 30 billion KRW (approximately $23 million), ‘Harbin’ is one of the year’s most ambitious films, aiming to reach a break-even point of 6.8 million viewers. So far, only four Korean films have surpassed this threshold in 2023, including ‘Smugglers,’ ‘The Roundup: No Way Out,’ ‘Inside Out 2,’ and ‘Veteran 2.’
The film’s high pre-sale rate reflects anticipation for its gripping narrative centered on the determination and sacrifice of the independence fighters, along with the collaboration between Woo Min-ho and Hive Media Corp. Known for hits like ‘Inside Men’ and ‘The Man Standing Next.'
A behind-the-scenes video released on December 16(KST)showcases the film’s impressive scale and Woo’s directorial insights. Lead actor Hyun Bin teased, “You’ll be blown away by the stunning landscapes on the big screen.” Co-star Park Hoon added, “People think it’s CG, but almost 100% of it is real footage.” Woo emphasized the commitment of the cast and crew, stating, “Even if it was physically demanding, we were determined to capture the authenticity.” Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo further noted, “In ‘Harbin,’ every scene captures real ice, water, and cold. Not a single frame of snow is fake. Every shot was crafted with care.”
With the success of previous works like the musical film ‘Hero,’ which attracted 3.27 million viewers, industry insiders are watching closely to see if ‘Harbin’ can achieve similar box office success. Woo Min-ho’s distinctive perspective is expected to shed new light on the perilous journey of Korean independence fighters. The strong pre-sale performance of ‘Harbin’ is also seen as a potential signal of revival for the Korean film industry, which has faced challenges in recent years. Following the success of ‘Smugglers,’ ‘Harbin’ is expected to bring fresh momentum to the industry.
‘Harbin’ is set to premiere in theaters nationwide on December 24(KST). Audiences will also have the chance to meet the cast during stage greetings on December 26, 28, and 29.