"Kokuho" (National Treasure), a blockbuster film by Korean Japanese director Lee Sang-il that has attracted over 12 million moviegoers in Japan, will be released in Korea on Nov. 19. Shown is Lee (center) giving directions during the shooting of the movie. (Media Castle)

By Xu Aiying

"Kokuho" (National Treasure), a blockbuster in Japan by Korean-Japanese director Lee Sang-il that has attracted more than 12 million moviegoers, will soon be released in Korea.

Lee on Nov. 13 discussed his megahit and the secrets behind its success at a media screening and news conference for the film at the multiplex CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District.

"Kokuho" depicts 50 years of friendship and conflict between two artists who devote their lives to being onnagata, or actors who play women in kabuki (traditional Japanese theater).

Released in June, the film has achieved groundbreaking success in Japan. Despite a running time of nearly three hours, it surpassed 10 million viewers 102 days after its release, making it the country's No. 2 grossing live-action movie of all time and seen to eventually claim the top spot.

The megahit is the first Japanese live-action movie to gross over JPY 10 billion (USD 67 million) in 22 years.

"Kokuho" is about 50 years of friendship and conflict between two men who devote their lives to playing onnagata, or male actors playing women in kabuki. (Film's official website)

"I personally think that this is an extremely surprising result," Lee said. "I'm so surprised and glad to see young Japanese sharing information (on my film) through social media in a way easy to comprehend, while the elderly are doing so through word of mouth."

On Japanese audiences' reaction to the film, he said, "I was glad to hear praise like 'The visuals were beautiful and the sound powerful, making three hours fly by' or 'I was moved differently than if watching at home.'"

"I was also impressed to hear a viewer who hadn't been to a movie theater in 20 years say 'I loved the movie.'"

Scene from "Kokuho" (Media Castle)

The names of kabuki actors and their roles are passed down from generation to generation in a strict hereditary succession. "Kokuho," however, goes beyond merely shedding light on the genre and raises questions over identity and roots through the conflict between an actor from kabuki lineage and an outsider with natural talent in the genre.

"I can't say being Korean and having Korean roots is directly related to this film, but the movie's structure of bloodlines and being an outsider overlaps with elements in my life since birth," the director said. "I'd be happy if Korean audiences felt this way more closely than viewers in other countries."

"Kokuho" is Japan's entry for Best International Feature Film of the U.S. Academy Awards.

"These arts don't exist only in Japan. Operas, Shakespearean plays and Hollywood films also have deep histories," Lee added. "People who dedicate their lives to art and hone their skills might seem like shining figures, but they also have shadows. A dazzling life burdened by shadows is a universally fascinating subject no matter where."

"Kokuho" is slated for release in Korea on Nov. 19.

xuaiy@korea.kr