The movie ‘Harbin’ (director Woo Min-ho) is causing a hot box office storm, taking first place at the box office in just two days of its release. According to the integrated computer network of the Korean Film Council on the 26th, ‘Harbin’ ranked first at the daily box office, mobilizing 847,819 people on Christmas Eve. It set a new record for the highest number of viewers on Christmas Day since the pandemic, reaching a cumulative audience of 1,254,043 in just two days after its release.
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[Korean Today] ‘Harbin’ official movie poster © Reporter Baek Chang-hee |
The audience reviews of the movie are also positive. Naver’s actual audience rating is 7.79 points (out of 10), and CGV Golden Egg Index is 88%, receiving favorable reviews. Megabox’s rating is 8.5 points, and Lotte Cinema’s rating is 9.2 points.
‘Harbin’ depicts the pursuit and conflict between the independence fighters and those pursuing them, focusing on Ahn Jung-geun’s Harbin Uprising. Actor Hyun Bin plays Ahn Jung-geun, and Park Jung-min, Jo Woo-jin, and Japanese actress Lily Frankie appear in the film. Director Woo Min-ho presents a directing style that is different from existing independence movement films, and highlights Ahn Jung-geun’s inner self and the sacrifices of the independence fighters.
The film was specially produced in IMAX format, capturing vast natural landscapes without CG in various overseas filming locations such as Mongolia and Latvia. These elements drew the audience’s evaluation that “scenes that feel cold give off a warmer resonance.”
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[Korean Today] Official promotional material for the movie ‘Harbin’ © Reporter Baek Chang-hee |
With director Woo Min-ho’s directing skills, the actors’ passionate performances, and a meaningful story that sheds new light on Ahn Jung-geun’s righteous deed, ‘Harbin’ is writing another success story in the Korean film industry. ‘Harbin’ is a work that deals with the sacrifices of independence fighters and their passionate beliefs centered around Ahn Jung-geun’s righteous deed in Harbin. The noble sacrifices of Ahn Jung-geun and the independence fighters in the film make the audience go beyond the historical pain of the Japanese colonial period and deeply reflect on the values we must protect in modern Korea.
Audience member A said, “Recalling the spirit of sacrifice of Ahn Jung-geun, I reflected on whether we too easily conflict and fight with each other today,” and added, “We need to be more united and respect each other for the Republic of Korea, which was built on the sacrifices of our patriotic ancestors.” Audience member B said, “The film’s magnificent visual beauty and music resonated deeply in my heart,” and added, “That resonance was not just a story from the past, but a message for us today.”
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[Korean Today] Official promotional material for the movie ‘Harbin’ © Reporter Baek Chang-hee |
The film vividly captures the tragedy of the times and the spirit of sacrifice that shone through in the midst of it through the magnificent visual beauty produced in the IMAX format and the vast natural landscapes filmed in Mongolia, Latvia, etc. There were various reviews from the audience. From “It was dark overall, so it was hard to focus on the story and the actors,” to “The scenes that felt cold actually gave me a warm feeling,” they expressed conflicting opinions.
But the most important message is that in 2024, we who live in the present while remembering the pain of the past must create a greater Republic of Korea, a Republic of Korea that respects and cares for each other through the message that Harbin delivers. As one audience member said, “The sacrifices of that day made us who we are today,” the emotion that this film gives us goes beyond evaluating the story of the past, the beauty of the images, and the production cost, and makes us remember the story of the Republic of Korea that we all must cherish together.
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