Kim Hyeyoon-starring Salmokji: Whispering Water defeated 장화, 홍련 to claim the No. 1 spot among all-time Korean horror films.
The movie Salmokji: Whispering Water (director Lee Sang-min, distributed by SHOWBOX, produced by The Lamp Co., Ltd.) surpassed 3.15 million viewers, rising to the top of the domestic box office as the highest-grossing horror film in Korea's history.
Salmokji: Whispering Water surpassed 3.15 million viewers on May 17, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) integrated database, and dethroned 장화, 홍련, which was released in 2003, to take the No. 1 spot among all-time domestic horror film box office earners. With this, Salmokji: Whispering Water broke the record long held for 23 years by 장화, 홍련 and has firmly established itself as a representative work of Korean horror.
Moreover, Salmokji: Whispering Water has consistently remained in the upper ranks of the box office into its sixth week, proving its overwhelming commercial strength. From director Lee Sang-min, who is directing his first feature, to actors making their first foray into horror, Salmokji: Whispering Water announced a generational shift in the horror genre with its fresh ensemble and synergy. Leading theaters this spring and captivating many viewers with inescapable terror, Salmokji: Whispering Water is expected to continue its sustained run with ongoing word of mouth.
Having surpassed 3.15 million viewers to become the highest-grossing horror film of all time, Salmokji: Whispering Water tells the story of a mysterious shape captured on a Salmokji road view, and of a film crew that, while returning to the reservoir to reshoot, encounters something in the black, deep water.
After surpassing longtime No. 2 Gonjiam and reaching 3 million viewers, director Lee Sang-min told OSEN, "The thought I had most while the movie was succeeding was 'I'm relieved.' Even now I find myself saying 'I'm really relieved' all the time," adding, "There was so much worry after the release about how audiences would receive it, and honestly I was very afraid. Even when Salmokji: Whispering Water was receiving a lot of love after release, I was constantly tense. It was only after about the second week that I began to say 'I'm relieved.' Now I feel more than relieved; I feel very grateful," expressing his overwhelming feelings about the film's success.
Regarding the film's popularity, he said, "First, I think the actors' acting skills and charms played a big role. Everyone acted so well that audiences naturally came to care about the characters," and added, "Unexpected memes were created and kept circulating thanks to the actors' charms, including Kim Hyeyoon. Offscreen, the chemistry among the actors was also very good, so audiences enjoyed those aspects as well, and thanks to the publicity and marketing team that brought that out, word of mouth spread even more," expressing gratitude to the actors.
[photo] movie poster and stills
[OSEN]