‘Chiikawa’ narrowly tops South Korea’s weekend box office

Japanese animated fantasy “Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island” ranked first at South Korean cinemas over the Oct.

9–11 weekend.

It drew 407,895 admissions, just 215 more than local political thriller “The Assassin(s),” which came second.

“Chiikawa” follows its title character and companions on an island adventure that leads to a supernatural danger.

The film has earned $9.9 million in South Korea since opening on Sept.

30.

“The Assassin(s)” depicts an investigation into the 1974 attempt to kill President Park Chung-hee and has earned $21.8 million since opening on Sept.

23.

The film has faced accusations of historical distortion and defamation complaints over its suggestion that government insiders may have been involved in the shooting that killed First Lady Yuk Young-soo.

The close contest shows both films drawing large audiences, while the dispute around “The Assassin(s)” has led to protests and cast members withdrawing from public appearances.