Local cinemas are being dominated by movies that boast strong ties between two male leads.

The trend was set off by “Gangnam 1970” starring Lee Min-ho and Kim Rae-won last month. Since its release on Jan. 21, more than 2.1 million viewers have flocked to the cinemas.

Stars of 'Gangnam 1970' Lee Min-ho (left) and Kim Rae-won. (OSEN)

In the movie, Kim and Lee play boyhood friends whose paths cross as they live as gangsters hoping to cash in on the rapid development of Seoul’s Gangnam area during the 1970s.

While the movie’s record falls far short of the blockbuster “Ode to My Father,” critics see the Lee-Kim duo’s standing in the box office as significant as the movie is R-rated, limiting the audience pool.

“Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island,” released Wednesday, is expected to carry on the trend.

The movie brings back Kim Myung-min and Oh Dal-su, who worked together in the 2011 flick “Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow” that drew in nearly 5 million viewers.

Having drawn in under 400,000 viewers so far, “Shoot Me in the Heart” is not a major blockbuster, but the movie is said to be performing steadily, aided by the chemistry between leads Lee Min-ki and Yeo Jin-goo.

Stars of 'Shoot Me in the Heart' Lee Min-ki (left) and Yeo Jin-goo. (OSEN)

The phenomena is thought to be partially fueled by the less-than-impressive performances of movies revolving around female leads seen in recent years.

The movie “Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies” starring Clara and Jo Yeo-jeong, was a box office disaster drawing less than 150,000 viewers. Last year the movie “Venus Talk” drew in an unimpressive 781,000 despite starring singer-actress Uhm Jung-hwa, who has a number of hits under her belt.

In addition, male celebrities’ solid fan base is also thought to be playing a part in the recent developments.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)