[세계일보]The Late Song Jae-rim’s Final Film Crypto Man Tops Independent Film Box Office

The film Crypto Man has claimed the top spot in the independent and arthouse film box office rankings.

According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing system on the 23rd, Crypto Man, the final film of the late actor Song Jae-rim, has recorded a cumulative audience count of 20,542 and total revenue of 1.807 billion KRW, ranking #1 in Korea’s independent and arthouse film category.

Crypto Man has been highly praised for the outstanding performances of Song Jae-rim and the rest of the cast. The intricate relationships between the protagonist and supporting characters—including his mother, senior clubmate, colleagues, and investors—add layers of tension that immerse viewers in the story.

The film is inspired by the real-life collapse of Luna Coin, a cryptocurrency that crashed in South Korea, leaving 280,000 victims and resulting in over 50 trillion KRW in financial losses.

Director Harry Hyun, who previously worked as an investigative documentary producer, drew from her own experience as a Luna Coin victim to enhance the film’s authenticity. She shared her directorial intent, stating, “I wanted to question what went wrong—was it the people who committed fraud, those who believed in them, or the system that failed to prevent it?”

At the Crypto Man press conference held on January 6, the director and the entire cast were moved to tears as they reminisced about Song Jae-rim.

Director Hyun recalled, “Song Jae-rim was incredibly knowledgeable about stocks and cryptocurrency. From the planning stages, he contributed many ideas and was such a warm-hearted person.”

Co-star Min Sung-wook added, “Despite his cool exterior, he was deeply passionate about acting. His gaze in the final scene was simply unforgettable.”

Ahn Woo-yeon, who played the lead role of Kang Ji-woo and shared the most screen time with Song Jae-rim, shared, “We became close enough to visit each other’s homes even after filming. From the very first shoot, we improvised together and had such great chemistry. Every memory of filming with him is a grateful and joyful one.”

Crypto Man follows the protagonist’s journey from his school days to his rise as a brilliant entrepreneur, gradually transforming into a monstrous figure consumed by his thirst for success and wealth. Now screening in theaters nationwide, the film delivers a gripping portrayal of ambition and greed.

이정문 온라인 뉴스 기자 moon77@segye.com