“Kundo: Age of the Rampant” drew a record-high 550,000 viewers on its first day in theaters, heralding a rise of historical action films.
The Korean historical film dwarfed the U.S. fantasy animation “How to Train Your Dragon 2” that drew 72,000 viewers, according to the state-funded Korea Film Council. Both films launched on Wednesday.
“Kundo,” directed by Yoon Jong-bin and starring Ha Jung-woo and Gang Dong-won, replaces the former record movies “Transformer: Dark of the Moon (2011)” starring Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and “Secretly, Greatly (2013)” starring Kim Soo-hyun.
| “Kundo: Age of the Rampant” (Showbox/Mediaplex)|
“Kundo” is set in mid-19th century Joseon, in the 13th year of King Cheoljong’s reign. Dolmuchi, played by Ha, is a butcher representing the bottom class of the caste system and stands up against the raging corruption and exploitation of the ruling yangban elites. The butcher organizes a resistance group called “Kundo” and confronts the loyal army of classist Jo Yoon, played by Gang, to liberate his oppressed class.