[SiBiBiBi] Nice to Meet You! A 10 Million Viewer Movie

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jung-min] Fierce but cute Marvel Lee (Ma Dong-seok). Seemingly indifferent yet meticulous Mr. Gu (Son Seok-gu). The protagonists of the film “The Outlaws 2,” which surpassed 10 million viewers, are so-called trendsetting actors.

Son Seok-gu is the figure who sparked the “Chuang” syndrome through the drama “My Liberation Notes.” His unique chic acting stirred the hearts of female fans. Despite playing a villain, the line to watch “The Outlaws 2” continued. The “Gu-ssi fever” is recorded as a cultural phenomenon that struck the first half of 2022.

What about Ma Dong-seok? The phrase “Ma Dong-seok genre” in Korean cinema did not come out for no reason. A character who crushes evil gangs at once with massive muscles and overwhelming strength. But he is endlessly gentle and warm-hearted toward the weak. This is why we cannot hate Ma Dong-seok, who lets his fists speak louder than words.

The movie 'The Outlaws 2' has surpassed 10 million cumulative viewers. It is the first time in three years since Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' in 2019, and the first since the COVID-19 pandemic. On the 12th, Seoul CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall was bustling with citizens. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Ma Dong-seok and Son Seok-gu are the key figures who broke down the fortress-like COVID-19 barrier. Since COVID-19 landed on this land in January 2020, the birth of a 10 million viewer film in the Korean film industry was a dream realm. Even with proven box office actors or Hollywood blockbusters, surpassing 10 million viewers was impossible.

At a time when meeting others was perceived as a fear, who could leisurely sit in a movie theater? However, as social distancing eased, movie theaters began to revive, and a pleasant rebellion was realized based on the fandoms of Marvel Lee and Mr. Gu.

Korean films surpassed 10 million viewers for the first time in three years since the release of “Parasite” on May 30, 2019. Even when expanding the scope to foreign films, it was the first time in two and a half years since “Frozen 2” was released on November 21, 2019. The birth of a 10 million viewer film signals that the film industry has escaped the COVID-19 cold wave. In fact, in 2019 alone, the birth of 10 million viewer films was not unusual.

Including “Parasite” and “Frozen 2,” five films such as “Avengers: Endgame,” “Aladdin,” and “Extreme Job” surpassed 10 million viewers. According to the integrated box office data of movie theater tickets, before the release of “The Outlaws 2,” a total of 25 films had surpassed 10 million viewers in Korea. Among them, five were concentrated in the year 2019.

The era of 10 million viewer films was abruptly halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the spark was revived thanks to “The Outlaws 2.” It is also promising that major films verified at film festivals will be released one after another in June.

“Broker,” which won the Best Actor award (Song Kang-ho) at the Cannes International Film Festival, was released on the 8th. It is a work by the master Hirokazu Kore-eda. Actors Lee Ji-eun (IU), Kang Dong-won, and Bae Doona gave passionate performances. “Decision to Leave,” which won the Best Director award at Cannes, is scheduled to be released on the 29th. It is a work by Park Chan-wook, a representative Korean director. Verified actors such as Tang Wei and Park Hae-il appeared.

We must not forget that the era of 10 million viewer films is not only about glamour. The shadow of monopoly, where screens are concentrated on specific films, is a representative example.

It is also worth considering whether the unsung heroes of the 10 million viewer film era are being neglected.

Just by listening a little to the hardships of on-site film workers, realistic problems such as unpaid wages, industrial accidents, unfair dismissals, and copyright disputes will pour out.

Creating an environment where on-site film workers can work joyfully is the foundation for building a “film industry breeze.” Only when the film industry’s capillaries are alive can we develop strong muscles to withstand Hollywood’s offensive.