Film Harbin Surpasses 400,000 Pre-Sale Tickets Before Release

As of 9:45 AM on December 23, Harbin recorded 400,121 pre-sale tickets, according to the Korea Film Council's integrated ticketing network. Just a day before its release, the film crossed the 400,000 mark, maintaining its No. 1 position in overall pre-sale rates for nine consecutive days.

The pre-sale figures are impressive. Compared to Seoul Spring (13.12 million viewers), Harbin's pre-sale rate is 2.9 times higher. It also surpasses the pre-sale rate of Exhumation, a 2024 blockbuster that drew 10 million viewers, by 1.6 times during the same period.

Among Korean films released during the Christmas season, Harbin has set a record for the highest pre-sale volume. With the holiday season and year-end festivities approaching, the film is expected to become a major hit.

Harbin depicts the journey of An Jung-geun and his historic assassination mission in Harbin. Director Woo Min-ho was inspired to helm the project after reading An's autobiography. The film stars Hyun Bin, Park Jeong-min, Cho Woo-jin, Park Hoon, Lee Dong-wook, Jeon Yeo-been, and Lily Franky.

The movie stands out for its restrained and poignant storytelling, chronicling the harrowing journey of independence fighters heading to Harbin. Tense sequences involving undercover operatives and the relentless pursuit by Japanese forces amplify the suspense.

The dialogue resonates deeply, drawing parallels with contemporary issues. The cinematography, praised for its breathtaking visuals, captures majestic landscapes without the use of CGI, earning widespread acclaim.

The cast delivers some of their best performances. Hyun Bin fully embodies the role of An Jung-geun, with his powerful and heart-wrenching cries serving as a highlight of the film. Lee Dong-wook's portrayal of Lee Chang-seop showcases a fresh and intriguing side of the actor.

Cho Woo-jin (Kim Sang-hyun) and Park Jeong-min (Woo Deok-soon) excel with nuanced performances, capturing the complexities of their characters. Park Hoon's portrayal of the villain Mori adds an intense and chilling dynamic to the story.

Harbin opens in theaters on December 24, with high expectations for its impact on the box office this holiday season.