Director Lee Sang-il's 'National Treasure', the First Japanese Film by a Korean Director to Reach 10 Million!

The Japanese film 〈National Treasure〉 directed by Korean Lee Sang-il has surpassed 10 million viewers in Japan just 102 days after its release, achieving a box office revenue of 14.2 billion yen (approximately 1.335 trillion won). As a result, the film 〈National Treasure〉 has risen to the second highest-grossing live-action film in Japan, following 〈Dancing Detective 2: Block the Rainbow Bridge〉 (2003). It is anticipated that it will soon surpass the box office revenue of 17.35 billion yen (approximately 1.631 trillion won) of 〈Dancing Detective 2: Block the Rainbow Bridge〉 and become the highest-grossing live-action film in Japan.

〈National Treasure〉 is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Japan's representative author Shuichi Yoshida, directed by Korean Lee Sang-il, and has garnered significant attention in South Korea as well. The world is also paying attention to the fact that a Korean resident in Japan has changed the history of live-action film box office in Japan, and it has been announced that it will be submitted as Japan's representative work for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. From Japan's leading star actors such as Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, and Ken Watanabe to the rising star 〈Monster〉 Soya Kurokawa, the film 〈National Treasure〉 is filled with explosive performances, and it has attracted attention with its luxurious production team, including the art from 〈Kill Bill〉 and cinematography from 〈The Warmest Color〉. It is expected to be released in South Korea in the second half of this year, and it is generating interest among many domestic film fans as it will make its first appearance in the 'Gala Presentation' section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival. The highly anticipated film 〈National Treasure〉, which has changed the history of live-action film box office in Japan, will be available in domestic theaters in the second half of this year.