On January 21st, the film Dark Nuns had its first special screenings in South Korea. Immediately afterward, it became a hot topic of discussion on social media platforms in the country. Let’s explore the conflicting opinions surrounding the film and its appeal before its official release.
Mixed Reactions to Dark Nuns
Before its official release on January 24th, Dark Nuns garnered significant attention from both audiences and critics. However, alongside praise, the film also faced considerable criticism. Some viewers felt that the movie did not meet their expectations based on previous promotions. The director’s approach to storytelling was particularly criticized for being disjointed and controversial.
A scene from “Dark Nuns” (Photo: Sina)
Many critics pointed out the script’s shortcomings, describing it as sparse and lacking depth. Some viewers found the repeated use of sensitive terms, even with potential sexist undertones, to be uncomfortable. This led to Dark Nuns becoming a target of widespread criticism, not only in South Korea but also across other Asian countries, especially China.
On January 22nd, the hashtag “South Korean netizens boycott Song Hye Kyo’s new film” trended on Weibo (China), attracting over 90 million views. This attention further increased pressure on the film ahead of its theatrical release.
High Expectations for Song Hye Kyo’s Breakthrough
Despite the criticism, many fans continue to support and defend Dark Nuns. They argue that negative reviews may be subjective and premature. The reception of an artistic work always depends on individual perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences.
According to data from the Korean Film Council, by January 21st, Dark Nuns topped the预售票率排行榜，占据36.7%，售出123,704张票。在1月21日的提前放映中，该片吸引了8,738名观众，每日票房排名第二，仅次于《哈尔滨》(Hyun Bin主演)。这些数据表明了这部电影不可忽视的魅力。
Song Hye Kyo’s unique appearance in “Dark Nuns” (Photo: Sina)
Dark Nuns is the female version of the popular film The Priests (2015). The movie revolves around the journey of nuns performing a forbidden exorcism ritual to save a boy possessed by a powerful evil spirit. This project represents a significant challenge for Song Hye Kyo, who appears with a natural face, focusing on portraying her character’s inner emotions.
At the press conference, Song Hye Kyo expressed her pride in her role: “The highlight is the exorcism scene. It was really difficult to memorize the prayers. I often practiced when taking a bath or washing dishes. During the fight scenes with the evil spirit, my body would stiffen, and I frequently had nightmares. This role demands both physical and mental strength.”
Why Song Hye Kyo Chose Dark Nuns
Song Hye Kyo revealed that she considered many scripts across various genres before deciding to join Dark Nuns. “I chose this project because I could see a different side of myself. I have high expectations for the film,” she shared.
Song Hye Kyo expects “Dark Nuns” to be a notable project for her in 2023 (Photo: StarNews)
With a career spanning iconic works like Autumn in My Heart, My Lovely Samsoon, Descendants of the Sun, and more recently Glory in Revenge, Song Hye Kyo has consistently demonstrated versatility in acting. In 2023, she won several awards for her performance in Glory in Revenge, solidifying her position in the film industry.
Conclusion
Dark Nuns is a challenging yet promising work. Despite the mixed reactions leading up to its release, the film has attracted significant attention from audiences and achieved impressive box office numbers. Join us in watching Dark Nuns on January 24th for a comprehensive review of this film.
What do you think about Dark Nuns? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
