Director Lee Sang-il has set a new milestone at the Japanese box office. His film Kokuhō has officially crossed 10 million admissions.

The movie, released in June, reached the mark on September 15, just 102 days after opening. It has grossed approximately 133.5 billion KRW ($97 million USD). With this achievement, Kokuhō is now the second highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time, following Bayside Shakedown 2 (2003), which drew 12.6 million viewers.

It also marks the first time a Korean director has reached such success in Japan. Local media praised Lee's direction, writing that Kokuhō "has changed the course of Japanese live-action film history." The film was also chosen as Japan's official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

Story and Impact

Kokuhō is based on Shuichi Yoshida's novel of the same name. The story follows the lives of people who dedicate themselves to kabuki, Japan's traditional theater. Starring Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama, the 175-minute feature captivated audiences with its layered characters, rich narrative, and stunning cinematography. Many praised it as a film worth watching multiple times.

The film is set to open in Korea later this year and will be screened in the Gala Presentation section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival. Lee Sang-il, Ryo Yoshizawa, and Soya Kurokawa will attend the event.

Lee Sang-il's Career

Lee, a third-generation Korean-Japanese director, is among the most acclaimed filmmakers in Japan. He won five Japan Academy Awards with Hula Girls, six with Villain, and 13 Tokyo International Film Festival awards with Rage. He has also been recognized twice with Best Screenplay honors.

Recently, he contributed to Apple TV+'s Pachinko Season 2, further highlighting his influence on the global stage.