With just 20 days to go until its November 19 release, director Lee Sang Il’s film KoKuho has revealed its main poster and trailer simultaneously, building excitement among international audiences.
KoKuho tells the epic story of two men whose lives are defined by their pursuit of excellence and the relentless drive to surpass one another in their art.
The newly released poster captures Kikuo (Ry? Yoshizawa) applying makeup just moments before stepping onto the stage, radiating the charisma and genius that allows him to transcend social boundaries and deliver breathtaking kabuki performances.
The trailer, specially produced for Korean audiences, follows Kikuo and Shunsuke (Ryusei Yokohama) from childhood to adulthood, highlighting their obsession, ambition, and the intense emotional struggles that shape their artistic journey. It also showcases the fiery exchanges and meaningful glances between the two, offering a glimpse into the tension and passion that drives their rivalry.
Central to the story is the complex relationship between Kikuo and Shunsuke as friends and rivals, blending compassion and jealousy in ways that heighten anticipation for the film’s narrative.
KoKuho has already made waves in Japan, surpassing 10 million admissions in just 102 days and grossing 16.4 billion JPY (roughly 110 million USD). It is the second live-action film in Japanese history to reach 10 million viewers and ranks as this year’s highest-grossing Japanese live-action release, second only to Demon Slayer: The Infinite Castle.
