Latest news with #TheKingofPigs'
Tatler Asia
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
The next Hallyu wave? 10 films that show the best of Korean animation
2. 'The King of Pigs' (2011) Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, this intense psychological drama explores the dark underbelly of school bullying and class disparity. Two former classmates reunite after years apart, triggering harrowing memories of their traumatic school days. The film delves into the psyche of the oppressed and the oppressors, revealing how past abuses can manifest into present-day violence and moral ambiguity. 3. 'Sky Blue' (2003) Set in a post-apocalyptic future, humanity is divided between the elite inhabitants of the ecological city Ecoban and the labourers of the wastelands. When a rebellion brews, a love triangle unfolds amidst the chaos, challenging notions of loyalty, survival and environmental responsibility. The Korean animation, directed by Kim Moon-saeng, features stunning visuals and intricate world-building that offer a compelling commentary on societal structures and ecological degradation. 4. 'My Beautiful Girl, Mari' (2002) Nam-woo, a lonely boy in a seaside village, discovers a magical marble that transports him to a dreamlike world where he meets the ethereal Mari. As he navigates the challenges of adolescence, the line between reality and fantasy blurs, offering a poignant exploration of loss, friendship and the bittersweet nature of growing up. 5. 'Seoul Station' (2016) A prequel to Train to Busan , this animated horror-thriller by director Yeon Sang-ho follows the outbreak of a zombie epidemic in Seoul. As the city descends into chaos, a runaway girl, her estranged father and her boyfriend struggle to reunite amidst the carnage. Beyond the gore, the film offers a scathing critique of social neglect and the marginalisation of the homeless. 6. 'Green Days: Dinosaur and I' (2011) This coming-of-age tale directed by Ahn Jae-hoon and Han Hye-jin is set in the 1970s and follows Yi-rang, a high school girl grappling with self-doubt and the pressures of adolescence. Through her interactions with a new transfer student and a budding athlete, she learns about love, ambition and the courage to pursue one's dreams. The film's hand-drawn animation evokes a sense of nostalgia and authenticity. 7. 'Yumi's Cells: The Movie' (2024) Based on the popular webtoon, Lee Sang-yeob's film delves into the inner workings of Yumi's mind, personifying her emotions and thoughts as individual cells. As Yumi quits her job to pursue writing, her cells navigate challenges like anxiety, love and creativity, offering a humorous and insightful look into personal growth and self-discovery. 8. 'The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow' (2014) In this whimsical fantasy directed by Chang Hyung-yun, a satellite named Il-ho transforms into a girl after hearing the melancholic song of Kyung-chun, a heartbroken musician turned into a milk cow by dark magic. Together, they evade a menacing incinerator and a wizard trapped in a toilet paper roll, embarking on a surreal journey of love and transformation. 9. 'Yobi, the Five-Tailed Fox' (2007) Yobi, a mystical fox spirit, lives in seclusion with stranded aliens. When one alien is captured, Yobi ventures into the human world, disguising herself as a student. As she forms bonds and confronts a fox hunter, Yobi faces choices about identity, sacrifice and the essence of humanity. See more: 8 fantasy K-drama characters we love: goblins, fox spirits, mermaids 10. 'Lost in Starlight' (2025) Han Ji-won directed Netflix's first Korean original animated film, which is perhaps the pinnacle of Korean animation. It tells the poignant story of Nan-young, an astronaut embarking on a Mars mission, and Jay, her Earth-bound lover. As they navigate the challenges of a long-distance relationship across galaxies, the film explores themes of love, longing and the sacrifices made for ambition. With stunning visuals of futuristic Seoul and space, it's a testament to the emotional depth of animated storytelling.
Korea Herald
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Yeon Sang-ho tests faith with 'Revelations'
Director and cast discuss their upcoming Netflix thriller at a pre-release press conference in Seoul Alphonso Cuaron was following Yeon Sang-ho's career long before most film fans knew the Korean director's name. "It started when 'The King of Pigs' went to Cannes," Yeon told reporters during Tuesday's production briefing at a Seoul hotel. "That was 14 years ago." Now the Oscar-winning auteur has partnered with Yeon as an executive producer on Netflix's "Revelations," a new film that strips away the fantastical elements of Yeon's previous work to explore the uncertain boundaries of divine inspiration. "Revelations" follows Pastor Min-chan (Ryu Jun-yeol), who believes he's received a message from God identifying a suspect in a churchgoer's disappearance, and Detective Yeon-hui (Shin Hyun-been), who investigates the case as she battles visions of her dead sister. Shin Min-jae plays Yang-rae, an ex-convict whose guilt or innocence forms the story's central tension. "It's about people who only see what they want to see and believe what they want to believe," Yeon said. "I tried to create something realistic, intimate — a psychological thriller without the fantasy elements I've used before." Yeon and screenwriter Choi Gyu-seok adapted their own webtoon but made significant changes along the way. The pastor evolved from a secular character to a devout one, partly at Ryu's suggestion. "Starting from ordinary faith gives the character somewhere to fall from," Yeon explained. Similarly, the detective transformed from stoic to fragile. "I wanted someone crushed by guilt, who might shatter at any moment." Ryu described Yeon's directorial approach with admiration. "I'm constantly questioning things right up until shooting, which must be exhausting," the actor said. "But Yeon actually listens. There were moments when I'd given up on a scene, and he'd suddenly appear and completely reshape it." Hyun-been nodded in agreement. "Despite the heavy material, he creates this atmosphere where you feel free to explore." She praised the production design's meticulous attention to detail: "They created everything down to tissues branded with the church's name — things that barely appear on camera but make the world feel real." The film represents Netflix's continued investment in Korean content, part of a larger strategy that includes seven Korean features planned for 2025. For Yeon, it follows his streaming successes "Hellbound" and "Parasyte: The Grey" as he builds an impressive catalog with the platform. Cuaron's involvement came after Yeon wondered if the acclaimed director might want "another 'Train to Busan,' the 2016 zombie thriller that catapulted Yeon to global recognition. Instead, Cuaron fully embraced Yeon's creative shift. "Throughout production, he kept returning to our initial conversations about my creative vision," Yeon said. "Even during marketing, he'd ask if the trailer properly conveyed what I intended." Produced by Korean company Wowpoint, "Revelations" marks another step in Yeon's busy upcoming slate. He's already lined up "35th Street," a collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio's production company Appian Way slated for late 2025, and "Face," a lower-budget mystery thriller featuring actor Park Jung-min in dual roles. For Yeon, 'Revelations' represents a distillation of his career. "I started with indie animation and made various films. 'Revelations' feels like I've finally captured my essential colors. If someone hasn't seen any of my work, just watch this one."
