Action Film 'Harbin' Surges Past 3 Million Viewers in New Year Box Office

The action film 'Harbin' (하얼빈), directed by Woo Min-ho and produced by Hive Media Corp, has ignited hope in the cinema landscape by surpassing 3 million viewers as it kicked off the new year. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing system, 'Harbin' attracted 339,425 viewers on January 1, 2025, securing the top spot at the box office with a cumulative total of 3,094,690 viewers.

Set in 1909, 'Harbin' depicts the intense pursuit and suspicion between those heading to Harbin for a singular purpose and those chasing them. The film revolves around the historical event known as the Harbin Incident, which took place on October 26, 1909, featuring Ahn Jung-geun and other independence fighters, blending suspense and action to enhance the narrative.

Premiering on December 24, 2024, just in time for the Christmas holiday, 'Harbin' made a spectacular debut by drawing 380,000 viewers on its opening day, marking the highest opening score for a Korean film in December since the pandemic. On Christmas Day, it attracted 840,000 viewers, quickly surpassing the 1 million mark, achieving a record for the highest audience on Christmas Day post-pandemic and setting a significant daily box office record for the previous year. Riding this momentum, 'Harbin' crossed the 2 million mark on its fifth day and reached 3 million on January 1, just nine days after its release.

Dubbed the second 'Spring of Seoul,' 'Harbin' shifts the focus from the well-known 'Harbin Incident' to the sacrifices of many lesser-known independence fighters, resonating deeply with audiences. The film delicately portrays the struggles and isolation of Ahn Jung-geun as a human rather than just a hero, evoking profound emotional responses.

Moreover, the current political turmoil following President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of a state of emergency has further fueled the film's popularity. 'Harbin' reflects the spirit of the independence fighters who never gave up against injustice, drawing parallels to citizens protesting for the president's impeachment, earning it the nickname 'Gwanghwamun Invitation.' This strong word-of-mouth has set 'Harbin' apart from previous films about Ahn Jung-geun that did not perform well at the box office.

As 'Harbin' enters its second week, it aims to surpass 4 million and 5 million viewers, with a target of 6.5 million to break even in its third week. However, due to the national mourning following the tragic Jeju Air incident, the film's promotional activities will be subdued as it shares in the nation's grief.