[Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment]
SEOUL, Feb. 09 (Aju News) -- "Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds", a fantasy movie which takes moviegoers on a rollercoaster ride through hell, became South Korea's second biggest box office hit in history.
According to the Korean Film Council, the movie was watched by about 14.2 million people, surpassing the total viewership of "Ode to My Father", a 2014 film, and earned 46.1 billion won (37.8 million US dollars).
The fantasy film is now zooming in on the record set by "Roaring Currents", a 2014 film about Korea's 16th-century Joseon Dynasty naval commander, Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who scored a dramatic victory against Japan. It was watched by some 17.6 million moviegoers and earned 135.7 billion won.
"Along With the Gods", based on popular web-cartoon of the same title and directed by Kim Yong-hwa, recreated hell as described in Korean mythological folklores and Buddhism, giving a refreshing jolt to fans. It was simultaneously produced with its sequel, which will be put on screens in August.
The story held a strong message about family affection, a familiar theme in South Korea, and had multiple tear-jerking points to attract middle-aged fans.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
