A low-budget movie based on the story of South Korea's most notorious serial killer has become a major box office success, distributors said on Tuesday.
"The Chaser" has attracted some two million viewers since it was first screened on February 14, outstripping Hollywood blockbuster "Jumper."
It was sold to distributors from France, Hong Kong and Greece during the Berlin international film festival this month, South Korean supplier Showbox said in a statement.
"US distributors show keen interest in distribution or remake rights," Showbox added.
The movie is based on Yoo Young-Chul, who murdered 21 people -- mostly masseuses -- between September 2003 and July 2004. Yoo, who is on death row, murdered masseuses providing door-to-door business and mutilated their bodies in his apartment bathroom. He was reportedly caught by pimps who noticed their girls disappearing after responding to calls from a particular number.
Expectations were low for the movie, which lacked a cast of established stars, but its popularity grew by word-of-mouth.
It is directed by Na Hong-Jin, who made his name with award-winning shorts but had never made a commercial feature before.