Ryusuke Hamaguchi "Drive My Car" Surpasses 30,000 Admissions, Thanks Korean Audience

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi expressed his gratitude for the domestic success of "Drive My Car."

Released on the 23rd of last month, "Drive My Car" surpassed 30,000 cumulative viewers during its third weekend and ranked first in the independent and art film box office.

Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi said, "The distributor told me that 30,000 viewers for a film considered arthouse is an enormous number," adding, "I would like to thank all the viewers who came to the theater despite the cold weather."

He continued, "There are many fans of author Haruki Murakami in Korea, so I think that influence also played a role. I am happy that many viewers have watched the wonderful performances of actors who bring Haruki's world to life."

Director Hamaguchi added, "Just like in Japan, the difficult situation due to COVID-19 continues in Korea as well," and urged, "Please watch movies safely and healthily in theaters."

"Drive My Car" is a film adaptation of the short story of the same name included in Haruki Murakami's 2014 short story collection "Men Without Women." It depicts the story of a director and actor, Kafuku (Nishijima Hidetoshi), who carries wounds related to his wife, and his exclusive driver Misaki (Miura Toko), as they meet and gradually recover their lives.

Last year, the film won the Best Screenplay award at the 74th Cannes International Film Festival, and it is highly likely to receive awards for Best International Feature Film at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, 27th Critics' Choice Awards, and 94th Academy Awards.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.