SEOUL -- South Korean seller Showbox has announced the sale of Lee Myung-Se's "M" and Hur Jin-ho's "Happiness" to Avex in Japan.

Both films premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last autumn, and feature popular young stars with fan followings in Japan -- Gang Dong-won in "M" and Lim Soo-jung in "Happiness".  Although Korean films have fallen on hard times in Japan recently, the two titles are each expected to receive a theatrical release.

Hur Jin-ho's previous film "April Snow" holds the record for the best-grossing Korean film of all time in Japan, having taken upwards of $26 million in 2005.  Much of that film's success was attributed to the presence of another "Korean Wave" star Bae Yong-joon.

However overall exports to Japan have plunged since then, with only $3.3 million worth of sales to the country recorded last year compared to $10.4 million in 2006 and an amazing $60.3 million in 2005. 

"M" and "Happiness" grossed $3.1 million and $8.5 million in Korea respectively.