Director Yeon Sang-ho's 'Face' Achieves Box Office Miracle: ₩200M Investment Yields ₩8B Revenue, Redefining Independent Cinema

Director Yeon Sang-ho's latest film, 'Face,' is scripting a success story for low-budget independent cinema. With an investment of approximately ₩200 million, the film has garnered close to ₩8 billion in revenue, earning praise from both audiences and critics alike.

According to the Korean Film Council's Integrated Network for Film Admissions, 'Face' has steadily built momentum since its release, surpassing 770,000 admissions and generating over ₩8 billion in sales. The movie delves into a mystery surrounding the death of a mother, uncovered by a visually impaired artisan specializing in seal engraving and his son, spanning 40 years. It is based on director Yeon Sang-ho's graphic novel of the same name.

Notably, 'Face' made waves even during its production phase. It was completed with a minuscule budget of ₩200 million, including pre-production, and shot in a concise 13-day schedule with a lean crew of about 20 people. This stands in stark contrast to the reputation of director Yeon Sang-ho, who achieved blockbuster status with 'Train to Busan' and 'Hellbound.'

Despite the tight budget, the actors' dedication shone through. Actor Park Jeong-min, who took on the dual role of the son Lim Dong-hwan and his younger father Lim Yeong-gyu, contributed to the project not with a standard appearance fee, but by opting for profit-sharing (running royalties) instead. Many other actors also joined the film without fees or with minimal compensation, supporting director Yeon's new endeavor.

'Face' signaled its box office potential by breaking even on its opening day. Although it briefly seemed to falter, the film staged a remarkable comeback, achieving 'gae-ssara-gi' box office success—an industry term for films outperforming their opening week in their second week—and has maintained the number one spot for nine consecutive days, proving its enduring appeal.

A film industry insider commented, "Considering the industry's usual production costs, ₩200 million is an exceptionally small amount." They added, "The film's compelling message, its high quality, and the actors' passionate performances created a powerful synergy, leading to this outstanding achievement." Another source noted, "This result was possible because the actors united with a shared purpose," cautiously suggesting, "It remains to be seen how this film's success will influence the industry's future production environment."

Director Yeon Sang-ho had expressed his affection for 'Face' during the press screening, stating, "This is the first time I've had a project I've been so hungry for in terms of box office success." His experimental challenge, combined with his established worldview, is presenting a new possibility for Korean cinema.

Director Yeon Sang-ho debuted in 2003 with the short animation 'D.I.A.', gaining recognition for his feature animations like 'The King of Pigs' and 'The Fake,' which conveyed strong social criticism. He achieved significant commercial success as a director with the 2016 film 'Train to Busan,' which drew over ten million viewers. More recently, he left a powerful impression on global audiences with the Netflix series 'Hellbound.'