A leading Korean filmmaker is making waves in the US market is currently busy creating new projects, including his first English-language action-horror film. The anticipation is killer.
Anyone who loves movies, especially horror enthusiasts, is familiar with the name Yeon Sang-Ho. Yeon Sang-ho gained a significant following with the release of “Train to Busan.” This 2016 action-horror film stood out as a solid entry in a genre where many zombie films fall short. It was a massive success in the U.S. and achieved similar acclaim in Hong Kong. As noted by The Hollywood Reporter,
“The film has surpassed the previous record-holder for the most successful Chinese-language film.”
It was also a tremendous hit in Yeon Sang-ho’s home country of South Korea, where it set the record for South Korean films within its first five days of release.
Yeon Sang-Ho Shows His Mastery
Sang-Ho followed up “Train to Busan” with “Peninsula” and ‘Hellbound,” the latter making its debut on Netflix and not only capturing viewers’ attention but also keeping it. This solidified Sang-Ho’s success with U.S. audiences. As noted by NME,
Hellbound’s release dethroned one of Netflix’s biggest hits, “Squid Game.” According to the source, Hellbound became the most popular TV series globally on November 20, just one day after its release. The new K-drama series knocked Squid Game, which had topped the chart for 46 non-consecutive days, to second place.”
In an interview following the release, Sang-ho expressed his surprise at the show’s success, describing it as unexpected. A bewildered Sang-ho told the Korea JoongAng Daily,
“When I first talked about ‘Hellbound’ with Netflix, I did not think that it would universally resonate with audiences.”
Yeon Sang-Ho’s Next Nightmare: Korean Horror Master Unveils New U.S. Project
Sang-ho has gifted the world a range of works, some of which might not be as familiar to mainstream audiences, such as “The Bequeathed,” “Parasyte: The Grey,” and “Jung-E.” With a remarkable track record, news of his latest project, featuring another horror-action theme, is generating excitement. According to Deadline,
“Sang-ho will be directing and writing for TriStar Pictures, collaborating with Ryu Yong-jae on the upcoming ’35th Street’.”
Although details are scarce, knowing that Sang-ho is involved is enough to stir anticipation. Fans eagerly await more information about the plot and action sequences—a staple in his films—and, of course, the horror elements.
Uncut Diamonds 