The Admiral: Roaring Currents is doing fantastic business in it's ongoing theatrical runs in South Korea and the U.S. And deservedly so. I watched an online screener of the film, and it was a most compelling drama with one of the greatest naval battles ever depicted on film. I'll have a review posted here soon (been away on vacation and have a lot of catching up to do). Meanwhile, here's some interesting information from a press release I recently received, followed by two links worth checking out.
Most-Watched Film in South Korean History Lands
in U.S. with Successful Opening Weekend
The Admiral: Roaring Currents Tops Big Blockbusters
Guardians of the Galaxy and Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles in Per-Screen Average
Epic Historical War Film Becomes the Most-Watched Film
of All Time in South Korea with over 14 Million Admissions
South Korea’s record shattering epic – The Admiral: Roaring Currents – had an strong opening this past weekend in the U.S., while back in Korea it became the most-watched film in the country’s cinematic history by tallying admissions of over 14 million.
Since opening this weekend on 30 screens, after a one week preview at the CGV Cinema in Los Angeles, The Admiral has earned $687,000 pushing the film in top 20 at the box office. The per screen average for The Admiral: Roaring Currents was $18,744 placing it in 2nd, ahead of mega-blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy and Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles. The South Korean film is #4 among top engagements in the U.S. and Canada thanks in part to a slew of sold-out showings at the CGV Cinema.
The stateside success of The Admiral follows dominance in its home country. This past weekend in South Korea, it became the most watched film of all time, sailing to 14.22 million in admissions and taking the crown from James Cameron’s Avatar, which held the record at 13.62 million. In South Korea, The Admiral: Roaring Currents opened July 30.
Prior to the debut of The Admiral, the last time the U.S. saw such success from a Korean movie was Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2004), from director KIM Ki-duk, which was shown in over 160 theaters with an opening weekend box office earning of $357,495. “The Admiral” is only playing in 30 theaters and has surpassed that record.
The Admiral: Roaring Currents is currently playing at 32 theaters including Fullerton, San Francisco, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Virginia, Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta, Hawaii, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Tempe, and more. The film will open in additional theaters on August 22nd at New York (College Point) and Anchorage. For showtimes please visit www.CJ-Entertainment.com or the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AsianMoviesNMore.
Critical Acclaim:
“The sea battles are absolutely epic, more realistic and thrilling than John Woo's 2008 Red Cliff or even Peter Weir's 2003 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” writes Martin Tsai of the LA Times.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Justin Lowe writes “Admiral Yi is as likely to achieve mythic status on-screen as he has in historic accounts.”
ABOUT THE ADMIRAL: ROARING CURRENTS:
The Admiral portrays the storied real life battle of Myeong-Nyang, the legendary naval battle that occurred during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597. On the 16th of September in 1597, Admiral Yi Sun-shin (Choi Min-Sik) won the battle at Myeong-Nyang Sea with only 12 battleships against 330 Japanese battleships. This battle is considered one of Yi’s most significant victories because he defeated the Japanese without his famous Turtle Ships, which brought him victories in previous battles.
For further information:
THE ADMIRAL: ROARING CURRENTS Claims All Time Korean Box Office Crown
The Admiral: Roaring Currents Breaks Korea All-Time Box Office Record
