While no official statistics exist, defector accounts (notably from Kim Il-sung’s former bodyguard Lee Young-kook and high-ranking escapee Kim Kwang-jin) estimate that between May 1990 and December 1990:
The film's impact on Korean cinema is notable, as it helped to establish the comedy-drama genre as a staple of Korean film. The movie's success also paved the way for future Korean films to explore themes of social class, friendship, and love. Today, "Jangbu Ilsaek 1990" remains a beloved classic in Korean cinema, and its influence can still be seen in many contemporary Korean films. jangbu ilsaek 1990