Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Je-hoon’s ‘Sooju War’ to be Released in 21 Countries Worldwide… Expanding Emotions of the IMF Era Globally
Amidst the IMF foreign exchange crisis, the movie ‘Sooju War,’ depicting the emotions of Koreans contained in a bottle of soju, is set to be released in 21 countries worldwide, marking the first step towards global success.
Distributor Showbox announced on the 5th, “Starting from the North American region, ‘Sooju War’ will be sequentially released in Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, and more.”
The film, which was released in South Korea at the end of May, continues to receIVE positIVE reviews from audiences and is performing well, with a CGV Golden Egg Index of 94% and a Lotte Cinema rating of 9.4 points.
It is evaluated as a vivid lesson that evokes vivid empathy for the generation that lIVEd through 1997 and explains a turning point in Korean economic history for subsequent generations.
The overseas expansion of ‘Sooju War’ signifies more than just simple export of Korean films, demonstrating a move towards a more substantial ‘globalization of emotions’ in K-contents.
In the North American region, including the United States and Canada, the film will be screened from June 6th at CGV theaters in major cities such as LA, New York, and Chicago, targeting both Korean and general audiences.
North American distributor WELL GO USA particularly praised the film as “a true drama within modern Korean history.
They evaluated that the story based on historical facts will deeply impress North American audiences.”
In fact, the United States is a region with high demand for social dramas based on history and true stories, making the entry of ‘Sooju War’ a strategic move.
Vietnamese distributor Mockingbird stated, “Even within the frame of an economic crisis, a drama centered on human bonds and values holds unIVErsal appeal beyond national borders,” acknowledging the emotional power of the film.
The film has also garnered attention for being the first collaboration between actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Je-hoon.
Yoo Hae-jin breathed life into the role of Jong-rok with warm and sincere acting, while Lee Je-hoon intensified the contrast between characters by portraying the pragmatic In-beom.
Supporting actors such as Son Hyun-joo, Choi Young-joon, and Hollywood actor Byron Mann, representing international capital, expanded the scale of the production.
The meticulous attention to detail and visual authenticity in recreating the social atmosphere of 1997 serve as a reminder that the film is not just a drama but an art form that records the era.
The fictional brand ‘Top Sooju’ was created through collaboration with actual liquor companies, showcasing a creatIVE attempt to convey the cultural symbol of Korean soju to a wider cultural sphere.
The success of the film ‘Sooju War’ in bringing Korean stories to the global stage is drawing attention, as the narratIVE depth and emotional intensity of K-movies are being anticipated by global audiences.
