Action Film 'Harbin' Set to Revitalize Winter Box Office with Record Pre-Sales

The action film 'Harbin' (하얼빈), directed by Woo Min-ho and produced by Hive Media Corp, has made headlines by achieving remarkable pre-sale rates and ticket sales just a day before its release, signaling its potential to invigorate the winter cinema landscape.

For nine consecutive days, 'Harbin' has topped the integrated ticket sales network, surpassing 400,000 pre-sold tickets, showcasing the audience's anticipation for the film. Amidst a competitive winter box office featuring titles like 'Mufasa: The Lion King' and 'Firefighters', the soaring pre-sale rates for 'Harbin' reflect a strong desire among viewers for a cinematic experience that can only be enjoyed in theaters.

The current pre-sale figures are 2.9 times higher than those of the 2022 blockbuster 'Seoul's Spring' (서울의 봄), which attracted 13.12 million viewers, and 1.6 times higher than the pre-sales for the 2024 10-million viewer film 'The Burial' (파묘).

'Harbin' has set a record for the highest pre-sale numbers among Korean films released during the Christmas season, and it is also achieving unprecedented figures among non-series Korean films, excluding franchises like 'The Outlaws' (범죄도시) and 'Veteran' (베테랑). This strong performance hints at the arrival of a major hit during the Christmas holiday and year-end box office.

Following press and audience screenings, 'Harbin' has experienced a surge in popularity. Critics have praised the film for its ability to evoke reflections on the current state of South Korea through the lens of comrades fighting for their country in 1909. The film's artistic quality, crafted by director Woo Min-ho and a talented production team known for successful Korean films, has quenched the audience's thirst for a compelling theatrical experience.

Viewers who attended the early screenings expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "What will you do in 2024, as conveyed by the independence fighters of 1909?" and "A film where coldness and warmth coexist." Others described it as a shocking experience from start to finish, likening it to a Christmas gift. Many noted the film's exceptional quality in visuals, music, and performances, with comments like, "It reignites pride in being Korean" and "This feels like one of the most cinematic Korean films ever made. It was worth every penny."

Set in 1909, 'Harbin' depicts the intense pursuit and suspicion between those heading to Harbin for a common goal and those chasing them. The film features a star-studded cast including Hyun Bin (현빈), Park Jung-min (박정민), Jo Woo-jin (조우진), Jeon Yeo-been (전여빈), Park Hoon (박훈), Yoo Jae-myung (유재명), and Lee Dong-wook (이동욱), with Woo Min-ho at the helm. 'Harbin' is set to hit theaters on December 24.