KOREAN NET

The historical film "Harbin," which features independence fighter and martyr Ahn Jung-geun, has been sold to 117 countries including the U.S., Japan and France.

By Park Hye Ri

Photos = CJ E&M

The historical film "Harbin," which chronicles the final year in the life of independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun, has been sold to 117 countries.

The movie's distributor CJ E&M on Jan. 8 said the work was sold to countries like the U.S., Japan, France, Taiwan, Australia and Spain. Following its release in the U.S. and Singapore on Dec. 25, "Harbin" premiered in Indonesia and Malaysia from Jan. 1-2 and is set to open in Australia and New Zealand on Jan. 23 and Taiwan on Jan. 29.

Unveiled in Korea last month, the movie is about the journey of independence fighters Ahn and his comrades Woo Deok-sun, Kim Sang-hyun and Choi Jae-hyung to Harbin, China, in 1909 to assassinate Hirobumi Ito, the first Japanese resident-general of Korea.

A CJ ENM manager in charge of overseas distribution said, "Overseas buyers seemed to have strong interest in the film given expectations of the newest work by director Woo Min-ho, top cast members like Hyun Bin, invitations to well-known film festivals abroad like the Toronto International Film Festival and recognition of its artistic quality."

In Korea, "Harbin" sold 3.82 million tickets as of Jan. 9, topping the domestic box office for 16 straight days.

This is a promotional poster for "Harbin."

hrhr@korea.kr