The movie 'The Pact', starring Kim Gyu-ri, has surpassed 600,000 viewers nationwide, continuing its impressive box office run.
According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie tickets, 'The Pact' attracted 15,665 people nationwide on the 16th, bringing the total number of viewers to 601,609. With a production budget of 1.5 billion won, the break-even point for this film was about 300,000 viewers. Just 10 days after its release, 'The Pact' has already surpassed its break-even point and is now eyeing the 1 million viewer milestone.
'The Pact' depicts the confrontation between a woman, 'Yoon Ji-hee' (played by Kim Gyu-ri), who seeks power through mystical forces, and a journalist, Jeong Hyeon-soo (played by Ahn Nae-sang), who uncovers a massive truth. The film's logline alone evokes characters and events that resonate with recent political issues that have stirred South Korea in the past year and the first half of this year, creatively interpreted through cinematic imagination.
The film's success is somewhat of a phenomenon. Being a low-budget film with a political message, it initially struggled to secure screens. However, it showed high reservation rates and seat occupancy from the start, and thanks to a surge in audience interest in its second week―a phenomenon known in the film industry as a "late bloomer"―reaching the 1 million viewer mark is now within sight.
'The Pact' is a timely work with a clear message, filled with extreme imagination and provocative developments. It crams in numerous events, leading to a somewhat cluttered narrative, and the last 30 minutes are marked by an over-the-top climax. The protagonist's deep dive into shamanism and the film's embrace of the occult genre allow for a wide range of imaginative exploration.
Above all, the story's ability to evoke real-life events has heightened audience engagement, eliciting both outrage and catharsis. The film's tightrope walk between documentary and drama also seems to have been effective.
While the film may have its shortcomings in terms of cinematic perfection, viewers have been enthusiastic, saying, "It's not a film to be judged by its perfection," and "It's a must-watch to understand current society." In particular, Ahn Nae-sang's line in the post-credits scene has been met with a warm response, being described as "capturing the hearts of the people of South Korea."
'The Pact' began filming on March 14 and wrapped up just 48 days later on April 30. The production team's determination to release the film before the presidential election was reflected in the tight schedule. It's also a testament to their swift planning and execution.
The production team stated, "This achievement is not just a number but a response to the film that audiences wanted to see and the voice that our society longs to hear. It's a miracle made possible by each and every choice and support."
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)