South Korean film “Face Reader” pulled off a smooth box-office start on Wednesday, selling a record 370,000 tickets on its opening day, the Korean Film Council data showed. 

Given that last year’s hit period flick “Masquerade” sold about 160,000 tickets on its opening day, “Face Reader” is sparking far greater responses from local moviegoers. 

“Spy,” released on Sept. 5, was knocked out of the box-office No. 1 slot as it sold about 50,000 tickets on Wednesday. 

The film illustrates a professional face reader’s attempt to save the Joseon from the hands of rebels, and casts top-notch actors including Song Kang-ho, who played a major role for Bong Joon-ho’s dystopian tale “Snowpiercer.” 

“Face Reader,” deemed one of the most-anticipated films this fall, is set to lead the pack in the forthcoming five-day Chuseok holiday next week, an important period for filmmakers and production houses.

By Yoon Ha-youn, Intern reporter
(yhayoun@heraldcorp.com)