"Transformers 3" makes smashing debut atop local box office

Movie poster for Hollywood film "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" [Paramount Pictures]

Hollywood blockbuster film "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" made a smashing debut in Korea, becoming the first foreign film in South Korea’s box office history to attract over three million viewers during its opening week.

According to the estimates released by the Korea Box Office Information System (KOBIS) on Monday, "Transformers" brought in over 2.1 million moviegoers during the weekend of July 1 to 3, while accumulating about 3.1 million viewers in total since opening in theaters on June 29.

Korean comedien-turned-director Shim Hyung-rae's fantasy flick "D-War" held the past record of attracting the most moviegoers in its opening week with 2.9 million admissions in August 2007.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon," starring actors Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel, tells of how Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) helps in the fight against the Autobots and Decepticons who try to figure out the secret of the Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon.

Stepping down a spot to second place was Korean feature "Sunny," starring Yoo Ho-jeong, Sim Eun-gyeong and Jin Hee-kyeong, which brought in 201,249 viewers this past weekend. Korean action flick "Poongsan," starring Yoon Kye-sang and Kim Gyu-ri, stayed at No. 3 after selling 76,474 tickets.

DreamWorks' animation "Kung Fu Panda 2" and Korean thriller "White" followed sequentially in fourth and fifth place, bringing in 63,058 and 45,518 admits, respectively.

Other movies on the top 10 included "X-Men: First Class," "The Lincoln Lawyer," "The Conspirator," "Super 8" and "Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen."

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Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@