Korean Film 'Harbin' Receives Rave Reviews from Audiences

This winter, the film 'Harbin' has captivated audiences in South Korea, garnering enthusiastic praise as it approaches 1.5 million viewers. The film, which has consistently topped the box office, recently released a video featuring audience testimonials that reflect their powerful reactions. Viewers expressed sentiments such as, "Even though I knew the story, it moved me deeply," and "Watching 'Harbin' has given me a renewed purpose to live more passionately." Many noted that the phrases '대한독립' (Korean Independence) and '대한민국' (Republic of Korea) lingered in their minds long after the film ended.

Descendants of General Ahn Jung-geun, a key figure in Korea's independence movement, also shared their heartfelt impressions after watching the film. One descendant remarked, "Seeing how much our independence fighters struggled and fought for our country brought me to tears," while another said, "I have seen plays and musicals about General Ahn, but I have never felt such a strong emotional impact as I did today." Another descendant expressed hope that, as mentioned in the film, the Korean people would continue to carry the torch forward despite the darkness.

Audience members in their 30s, who are around the same age as General Ahn was during his pivotal actions, shared their reflections as well. They stated, "Watching the film at this age gives me a fresh perspective," and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by their ancestors, vowing to protect the nation they fought for.

Set in 1909, 'Harbin' depicts the intense pursuit and suspicion between those heading to Harbin for a singular purpose and those chasing them. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing system, the film attracted 227,787 viewers on the previous day, bringing its total to 1,481,814 viewers as of December 27.