‘Train to Busan’ Director Yeon Sang-ho Explores Human Fragility With Alfonso Cuarón-Backed Netflix Film ‘Revelations’: ‘Issues That Are Relevant in Korea Also Ring True for the Global Audience’

by

In a shift from zombie themes, Korean director Yeon Sang-ho delves into psychological terror in his newest Netflix production. This work explores the depths of human nature’s darkness, maintaining the intricate moral complexity that has become his trademark.

In “Revelations,” the newest Netflix thriller from director Yeon, a pastor is convinced that it’s his divine duty to punish the perpetrator in a missing-person case. At the same time, a detective plagued by dreams of her deceased sister chases her own truth. This film signifies a move towards more personal storytelling for the esteemed director behind “Train to Busan” and “Hellbound.

In an interview with EbMaster, Yeon expresses that the purpose of ‘Revelations’ was to explore more fully the aspects of human nature and feelings. To truly understand human vulnerability, she felt it necessary to create an intimate storyline rather than a large-scale one.

In the movie, Ryu Jun-yeol (“A Taxi Driver,” “The 8 Show”), portrays Pastor Sung Min-chan, while Shin Hyun-been (“Hospital Playlist,” “Reborn Rich”) takes on the role of Detective Lee Yeon-hui. Additionally, Shin Min-jae (“Parasyte: The Grey”) plays Kwon Yang-rae. Notably, Alfonso Cuarón, an Oscar winner, serves as executive producer for this project, having found interest in Yeon’s work after watching “King of Pigs” at Cannes.

Despite moving towards a more focused storyline, Yeon still delves into the moral intricacies that have been a hallmark of his work. “This movie revolves around the conflicts of two characters,” he explains. “Min-chan is a character who assigns significance to random occurrences to justify his greed. He becomes so fanatical in his beliefs about what he has fabricated. Yeon-hui, on the other hand, must confront her traumatic past and delve deep into it. If she manages to do this, she will find redemption.

At the heart of Yeon’s storytelling lies his deep fascination with the vulnerabilities inherent in humans. He admits, “I am captivated by the weaknesses and vulnerabilities that people carry within them. As a vulnerable individual myself, I recognize these traits in myself, others, and in society as a whole.” This introspection sparks a profound contemplation within him about how we can conquer these inherent weaknesses.

2016’s worldwide hit “Train to Busan” skyrocketed director Yeon Sang-ho into the global limelight, yet he asserts that his creative process remains essentially unaltered. He acknowledges that concerns resonating in Korea resonate globally too, as he remarks. At the onset of creating “Revelations,” Yeon viewed it as a story distinctively Korean, but Cuarón persuaded him of its universal resonance.

The international acclaim for “Train to Busan” in 2016 boosted Yeon Sang-ho’s fame, but he insists his creative methods haven’t significantly changed. He recognizes that issues that matter in Korea matter worldwide too, as he points out. When making “Revelations,” Yeon initially thought it was a uniquely Korean story, but Cuarón convinced him it had a universal message.

Yeon remarks that even though we might reside in various regions globally, we all harbor similar emotions. He’s thrilled about Netflix’s distribution strategy as it enables global audiences to enjoy his work synchronously. This means that ‘Revelations’, which is being globally released on Netflix at the same moment, allows viewers worldwide to discuss and share their thoughts on the movie instantaneously.

Yeon is adding two new productions to his distinctive body of work. “The Ugly” delves into the life of Im Dong-hwan, the son of a well-known blind seal engraver, and questions what it takes to rise above societal prejudice and triumph. Conversely, “Gunche” brings a unique twist to the zombie genre by concentrating on the distinctive traits of zombies rather than focusing on their apocalyptic origins.

Throughout his professional journey, Yeon has effortlessly transitioned between creating animations and live-action films, utilizing each format for distinct storytelling needs. He notes that animations tend to be more symbolic and assertive, while live-action movies are more grounded in reality. As he looks forward, the filmmaker who started his career in independent animation shows enthusiasm towards directing a commercially produced animated project.

Yeon began her professional journey in animation and has contributed significantly to various independent animation projects throughout her career,” she shares. “She often ponders about venturing into commercial animations, expressing that if presented with the opportunity, she would eagerly participate in a commercial animation project.

In the expansion of his projects, Yeon consistently prioritizes the connection between a film’s fundamental nature and its production aspects. He notes that altering a movie’s essence can be achieved by modifying its production elements, stating, “A movie’s spirit is most easily influenced by changing its physical form – we refer to this as production.” His fascination lies in contemplating how varying production methods might impact the soul of a film.

In “Revelations,” Yeon Sang-ho further solidifies his status as a profound Korean genre director, employing supernatural aspects and psychological terror to delve into the intricacies of human character.

“Revelations” is streaming now on Netflix.

Read More

2025-03-21 17:51