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| ▲ Fans of Korean trot singer Lim Young-woong watch the singer's concert film "Lim Young-woong | I'm Hero The Stadium" at the CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul on Aug. 28, 2024. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Yonhap) -- "Hero Generation, are you having fun?"
"Yes!"
"Then let me hear you scream!"
"Wow!"
On the morning of the 28th, the IMAX theater at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul was filled with an energy that could easily be mistaken for a live concert. Around 600 fans had their eyes glued to the screen, watching the movie "Lim Young-woong | I'm Hero The Stadium," which features the concert and behind-the-scenes footage from Lim Young-woong's performances at Seoul World Cup Stadium on May 25-26. The film, released that day, is showing in regular theaters, IMAX, and ScreenX formats. Notably, this is the first time a concert film has been simultaneously released in both IMAX and ScreenX formats.
Despite being a CGV-exclusive content, the movie topped the reservation charts across all films, surpassing even major Hollywood blockbusters in a struggling theater market, with over 130,000 advance tickets sold. The IMAX theater at Yongsan, which boasts the largest screen in Korea, saw an intense ticketing competition, selling out most of its 624 seats for five screenings from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, except for a few reserved for disabled patrons. More than 3,000 people flocked to the theater to experience Lim Young-woong's concert on the big screen.
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| ▲ This still photo of concert film "Lim Young-woong: | I'm Hero the Stadium" is provided by CJ 4DPlex on Aug. 22, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
To celebrate the film's release, CGV set up a "Hero Garden" on the fourth floor, where fans could take photos. The garden featured a replica of the hot air balloon Lim Young-woong rode during his concert, along with large photos of the singer.
Before the first screening at 7 AM, elevators were packed with fans of Lim Young-woong from all over Korea. His official fan club, "Hero Generation," saw members traveling from Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and even from cities like Busan, Ulsan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gangneung, and Cheongju. Inside the theater, middle-aged women dressed in sky blue—the singer’s signature color—caught the eye, wearing everything from T-shirts emblazoned with "HERO GENERATION" to bags, hats, and dolls.
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| ▲ This still photo of concert film "Lim Young-woong: | I'm Hero the Stadium" is provided by CJ 4DPlex on Aug. 22, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Fans, eager with anticipation, gathered on the sixth and seventh floors long before the screening began, busy taking selfies in front of LED boards displaying movie posters. Some fans were seen holding popcorn buckets decorated with Lim Young-woong's image, posing for photos, or asking their children to take pictures.
Jo, a 67-year-old fan from Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I attended the concert in May, but I wanted to watch it again on the big screen, so I came to Seoul. I managed to get tickets for tomorrow too, so I'll be back," she said with a smile. Kim Min-ae, a 58-year-old from Dongjak-gu, Seoul, expressed her excitement, "Thanks to my daughter, I get to see 'Hero' again. I'm so thrilled, and it brings back memories from the concert."
The lively atmosphere in the IMAX theater quickly quieted down as the opening video signaled the start of the film. However, as soon as Lim Young-woong appeared on screen, the audience erupted in cheers. In a regular movie, such behavior might be frowned upon, but on this day, fans cheered loudly as if the singer were there in person. However, no one waved light sticks to ensure smooth viewing.
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| ▲ Fans of Korean trot singer Lim Young-woong take photos of the movie posters of the singer's concert film "Lim Young-woong | I'm Hero The Stadium" at the CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul on Aug. 28, 2024. (Yonhap) |
When Lim Young-woong waved to the concert audience from the screen, fans in the theater responded by raising their hands. During his dance performance of "London Boy," reminiscent of a Michael Jackson jacket, some audience members started dancing in their seats, clapping along and softly singing. As he performed the ballad "Warmth" from a chair on stage, some audience members were seen wiping away tears.
As the movie, filled with both humorous and heartfelt moments, concluded its 108-minute runtime, fans lingered, reluctant to leave. Lee Sun-hwa, 61, said, "Two hours felt too short. It would have been better if it lasted three hours. Today was just a preview; I plan to come back over the weekend for a proper viewing." Her companion, Park, 64, added, "Tomorrow, I'm going to the Wangsimni theater, which has a gallery. This movie gave me insights into Lim Young-woong's thoughts and concert behind-the-scenes, which made it even more touching."
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| ▲ This photo, provided by CGV, shows "Hero Garden," a promotional event for "Lim Young-woong: | I'm Hero the Stadium," a concert film featuring Korean trot singer Lim Young-woong, in Yongsan, Seoul, on Aug. 28, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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