Shin Min-ah's 'Eyes', Invited to Sitges Film Festival and Reaches 840,000 Viewers
Shin Min-ah's starring film 'The Pupil' has surpassed 840,000 cumulative viewers and has been officially invited to the 59th Sitges Film Festival. It will continue its global expansion, including a North American release on July 10.
Following Domestic Success, Global Genre Film Festival 'Sitges' Takes Notice
The film 'The Pupil,' starring actress Shin Min-a, has fired the starting signal for its entry into the global stage, fueled by intense love from domestic audiences. 'The Pupil' has been officially invited to the Panorama section of the competition at the 59th Sitges Film Festival, which will be held from October 8 to 18. Started in 1968, the Sitges Film Festival is a representative genre film festival boasting the world's largest scale, and major Korean genre films such as 'Train to Busan,' 'The Owl,' 'Sleep,' and the 'The Roundup' series have passed through it.
Ángel Sala, the artistic director of the Sitges Film Festival, highly praised the quality of 'The Pupil.' He defined it as "a work that has built its own unique identity beyond the framework of a remake." He further shared his specific impressions, stating, "It is a thriller with a standout atmosphere that subtly carries the essence of horror. The delicately built suspense and subtle anxiety lead to immersion until the very end."
The prevailing analysis is that this invitation comes because the film maximized genre synergy by varying the original setting to suit Korean sentiments. The process of the protagonist, Seo-jin, who is gradually losing her sight due to a genetic disease, as she pursues suspicions surrounding the death of her twin sibling and faces the truth, has captivated audiences.
Surpassing 840,000 Cumulative Viewers, a Box Office Engine Expanding into the Global Market
The domestic box office performance is dazzling. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing network, 'The Pupil' drew 359,843 viewers during its second weekend of release, from July 3 to 5. This is a 54.5% surge compared to the 232,947 viewers recorded during the first weekend of release. The cumulative number of viewers has reached 842,700, and it is now on the verge of reaching the 1 million mark. In particular, after taking first place at the Korean box office for two consecutive weeks, it is showing unstoppable momentum by also ranking first in weekend seat occupancy rates.
The conquest of overseas markets has already begun in earnest beyond Korea. Starting with its release in the Philippines on June 25, it met audiences in Singapore on July 2 and Mongolia on July 3. Following this, it is scheduled for a North American release on July 10, with plans to sequentially expand releases to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, Japan, and more.
As Shin Min-a's presence in the thriller genre meets the solid composition of a traditional Korean-style thriller, the eyes of genre film fans worldwide are focused on whether 'The Pupil' can continue its global box office success.
North American Release Confirmed Following Philippines and Singapore
The overseas release schedule is already underway. Following the release in the Philippines on June 25, it completed its releases in Singapore on July 2 and Mongolia on July 3. It will land in the North American market on July 10.
Afterward, releases will continue in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, and Japan.
