'Handball' scores top spot in Korea
Yim film based on women's Olympic team
Based on the story of the Korean team that competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics, pic bowed at No. 1, earning $5.3 million in its opening weekend thanks to strong word of mouth. With its release expanding from 410 to 440 prints over the weekend, new distributor Sidus is predicting a lengthy run.
"Handball" is produced by MK Pictures, which last year transferred ownership to a consortium headed by regional broadcaster Kangwon TV. With MK having shuttered its international sales division, pic is repped internationally by Hong Kong-based Golden Network.
Hefty box office returns are a change of pace for director Yim, a favorite among local critics for arthouse works "Three Friends" (1996) and "Waikiki Brothers" (2001). Moon So-ri and Kim Jung-eun headline the ensemble cast.
Performing almost as well was urban pickpocketing drama "Open City" with $3.8 million on 358 screens to take the No. 2 slot. Featuring Son Ye-jin in her first turn as a femme fatale, pic is released by CJ Entertainment.
Hollywood films dominate the rest of the chart, with "The Golden Compass" taking a hefty $20.7 million in four weeks and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" passing the $12 million mark.
