Northern Limit Line (film)

Plot

In June 2002, while South Korea is caught in sporting frenzy as the national soccer team plays against Turkey for third place in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the North Korean navy deploys two of their patrol boats towards the Northern Limit Line, a disputed maritime border near Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea. While carrying out its usual duties, South Korean patrol boat 357 suddenly finds itself under surprise attack.

Cast

Production

Director Kim Hak-soon shot the film in 3D, having received a US$1 million grant from the Korean Film Council (3D effects were done by Dnext Media). Kim said, "I believe that 3D visuals would enable viewers to feel the pain and fear felt by the (men) in a more effective and immersive way."

After initial investors backed out, it took the film seven years to finish production. A third of the US$6 million budget was raised through crowdfunding by 7,000 individuals. They include 23 members of the 2002 South Korean national football team, and Chung Mong-joon, owner of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group and former president of the Korea Football Association, who donated ₩100 million.

Release

Northern Limit Line was originally set to premiere on June 11, 2015, but due to concerns over the MERS outbreak, distributor Next Entertainment World delayed the theatrical release by two weeks to June 24.

Box office

The film topped the box office on its opening day, and by its first four days of release it had recorded 1.43 million admissions, grossing ₩8.7 billion (US$7.8 million); this was notable since June is considered a slow season for the Korean film industry.

As of August 2, it has sold 6,024,894 tickets (grossing US$38,945,231), making it the most-watched Korean film in 2015.

Political reception

While North Korean state media outlet Uriminzokkiri lambasted it, calling it "distorted" and an "anti-DPRK movie," South Korean conservative politicians such as former president Lee Myung-bak recommended the film.