Chapter 65

The next morning, the opening day box office figures for "The Chaser" were released. Choi Min-woo was eager to know the results of the first day. If the numbers were good, he would increase the number of screenings. Currently, the film was being shown in 300 theaters nationwide, many of which had business ties with SJ Entertainment and had rejected Showbox's screening applications. However, many other theater chains chose to wait and see.

"President, President, the opening day box office figures are out. From the start of the screenings to midnight, a total of 35,000 people watched the film. It's a huge success!!" A department head delivered the opening day box office report to Choi Min-woo's office.

"35,000 people?" Choi Min-woo was taken aback by the number. 35,000 people equated to an average of 110 people per theater, which was an astonishing figure for a film restricted to viewers 19 years and older. Moreover, many Hollywood blockbusters had recently been released, so there were few slots available for "The Chaser."

"President Choi, should we immediately plan to increase the number of theaters?" The department head, seeing Choi Min-woo in a daze, asked cautiously.

"Ah, yes, start with the planning. I want to see a report that shows over 100 theaters responding when I give the order." Choi Min-woo quickly snapped back, realizing this might truly be a golden opportunity.

Meanwhile, Lee Jong was sound asleep. After the premiere ended yesterday, Lee Jong did not give any media interviews. He had left the media to Showbox and the main cast, especially the two lead actors, as the pressure he had been under was immense. Don't think Lee Jong was without burdens. Most of the money for the independent film was borrowed, and his friends trusted him. If Lee Jong didn't boost his own morale and confidence, he would have to submit to Yoo Soo-ri, but he was never that kind of person.

At the premiere, Lee Jong saw the audience's reaction and felt relieved. He knew his film was a success. At the very least, the investment would be recouped. As for how much profit it would make, that was Showbox's concern. After all, they took the lion's share, and the more successful the box office, the more Showbox would earn, and the more Showbox earned, the more Lee Jong would earn. So, Lee Jong was doing something earth-shattering—sleeping.

Meanwhile, the internet was abuzz with discussions about "The Chaser." On Never's real-time search rankings, "The Chaser" had climbed to the top three, followed by a flood of questions about the film. Whether Showbox was behind this was unknown.

"New director Lee Jong, known as a genius PD, made his debut in the film industry with a film that is exceptionally skillful, with intense and tight shots and an outstanding sense of rhythm. That's one thing, but for a thriller based on a serial killer, achieving these elements isn't too difficult. Hollywood, Hong Kong, and Japan have all done it. However, what truly makes 'The Chaser' stand out is its complete subversion of genre conventions. It reveals the killer early on without any suspense, but then continuously delivers unexpected twists, giving you hope and then crushing it, pushing you into a state of despair despite knowing the outcome. The climax of the film, which takes place in a small supermarket, is a scene that will likely leave all viewers in shock, with the gush of blood at the critical moment." This was a review posted by a user named "I Am Crushed" on NEVER, which was widely shared.

"The Chaser" uses basic storytelling techniques between fiction and reality, with the biggest highlight being the fictional former detective Joon-ho, who adds a new thread to the story. To make the story more logical (and more emotional), the characters of Mi-jin and her daughter, especially Mi-jin's daughter, who becomes Joon-ho's primary motivation for pursuing the killer, are introduced. This character design is the simplest and most effective screenwriting technique. However, because this thread is fictional, despite the screenwriter's efforts, it still feels less solid than the main thread of the killer, Chi Young-min. This difference in the plot is almost negligible due to Kim Yun-seok's superb acting, which makes me admire the director's ability to select actors. Ha Jung-woo alone was a huge surprise, and Kim Yun-seok, who had never played a leading role before, perfectly portrayed a passionate civilian hero. As for the climax of the film, which I must mention, it takes place in a small supermarket. My God, I beg my Lord, I really hope the director lets Mi-jin escape and live happily ever after with her daughter. But we were all stunned by the cruelty before our eyes. It's a scene that makes you want to run away. It completely defies the Hollywood-style "last-minute rescue" and leaves the audience stunned in their seats. It's too cold, too ruthless, and too brutal." This was a review by a film magazine editor on NEVER.

A flood of reviews inundated the internet, and many netizens were captivated by this unconventional thriller. Many felt that yesterday was still a romantic Valentine's Day, but today had turned into a terrifying Halloween. Many people wanted to go to the cinema to see what kind of film could garner such praise.

However, it was unfortunate that a large portion of the audience couldn't see the film because it was rated for viewers 19 and older. Tickets required ID, so most high school students couldn't watch it. This, however, made more people pay attention to the film.

Kwon Yu-ri was one of them. On the day of "The Chaser's" premiere, Kwon Yu-ri deliberately canceled a radio appearance and went to a cinema to see what kind of film Lee Jong had made. She was lucky; she had just turned 18 in December, making her eligible to watch the film.

When Kwon Yu-ri came out of the cinema, her eyes were red, clearly from crying. She cried for Mi-jin's misfortune, for her daughter losing her mother, and for Joon-ho's passionate dedication. In short, Kwon Yu-ri's perception of Lee Jong changed significantly. Such a cold and cruel screenwriter and director was actually the man they called "Uncle" with a small mustache?

At the same time, in different locations and different cinemas, several members of Girls' Generation had canceled their appearances under various pretenses and headed to the cinema. Some managed to get in, while others were turned away, like Lim Yoon-a!

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