The lead actors of Korean film “Roaring Currents” are expected to rake in billions of won just for the running guarantee, a local news outlet reported on Thursday.

“Roaring Currents,” launched in theaters on July 30, has reaped immense success, which is a rarity for an epic film. Starring actors Choi Min-sik and Ryu Seung-ryong, “Roaring Currents” is currently the highest grossing Korean film in theater, surpassing 15.1 million views and about 120 billion won in ticket sales. 

The epic film replaced the previous record set by Korean blockbuster “The Thieves” (2012), which raked in about 93.6 billion won in ticket sales. “Roaring Currents” is also expected to catch up to “Avatar,” a 2009 U.S. sci-fi blockbuster with the highest record of 125 billion won in ticket sales.

Thanks to the success of “Roaring Currents,” the lead actors are expected to gain at least 3.3-3.9 billion won just for the running guarantee, according to the Daily Sports. In general, lead actors are paid about 13 to 15 percent of the net profit.

Besides the running guarantee, the two lead actors Choi and Ryu are expected to earn an additional guarantee of at least several hundred million won in total.

Directed by Kim Han-min, “Roaring Currents” portrays the famous Battle of Myeongryang in 1592 of the Joseon Era, fought at the dawn of the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598).

The film spotlights one of the nation’s most revered heroes, Adm. Yi Sun-sin, played by actor Choi Min-sik (“Oldboy”). Yi reaped an astonishing victory against the odds, defeating 330 Japanese warships with only 12 ships under his command.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)