Director Yeon Sang-ho's new film "Gunchae" (director Yeon Sang-ho, distributed by SHOWBOX, produced by WOWPOINT·Smilegate, co-produced by Midnight Studio) is receiving praise overseas before its domestic release.
Yeon Sang-ho's new film "Gunchae," officially invited to the midnight screening institutional sector of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, has been pre-sold to 124 countries ahead of its domestic release on May 21. With a record of pre-sales to 124 countries ahead of its world premiere screening at the Cannes Film Festival, it proved global interest even before release. "Gunchae" attracted strong attention from overseas distributors because it is Yeon Sang-ho's new zombie film — he is regarded as a master of the zombie genre with films such as "Train to Busan" and "Peninsula" — and because of its star-studded cast lineup, which includes Jun Ji-hyun returning to the screen after 11 years, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Changwook, Shin Hyun-been, Kim Shin-rock and Go Soo. In particular, Doris Pfardrescher, CEO of Well Go, the North American distributor of "Gunchae," which also distributed Yeon Sang-ho's previous works such as "Train to Busan" and "Peninsula," said, "The reason we chose 'Gunchae' is because of Yeon Sang-ho's proven ability to direct highly polished mainstream films through his previous works including 'Train to Busan,'" a remark that suggested high expectations for the film.
Meanwhile, Taiwan distributor Movie Cloud said, "It was clear that 'Gunchae' is taking a new approach that the existing zombie genre had not attempted. It was very interesting that the infected are portrayed not simply as chaotic hordes of zombies but as a "gunchae" with evolving intelligence," and German distributor Plaion Pictures said, "Yeon Sang-ho reinvented a subgenre of film with his original and audacious zombie trilogy. With this work he reached the pinnacle and completed another masterpiece that will become a new standard for years to come. 'Gunchae' is by far the most enjoyable experience among his works, pure enjoyment from the beginning to its spectacular ending," comments that suggest it will captivate audiences beyond Korea. "Gunchae" will begin its staggered global release following its domestic opening on Thu., May 21. Starting with Taiwan and Malaysia on May 22, followed by France, Singapore and the Philippines on May 27, Australia and New Zealand on June 11, and North America on Aug. 28, it will meet overseas audiences. A release in Japan is also scheduled for 2027, meaning audiences worldwide are expected to be deeply immersed in the suspense unique to "Gunchae." Meanwhile, promotional activities by the lead actors for "Gunchae" are becoming active ahead of the Korean release.
Earlier, Shin Hyun-been recently appeared on DinDin's "DinDin Is DinDin" and met DinDin, the younger brother of a close friend, and recounted past stories. Shin Hyun-been and DinDin's second eldest sister are genuine close friends and still boast a deep friendship. Shin Hyun-been watched over DinDin since he was 5 years old and said she was "the one who witnessed the sisters' 'Nemo's dream' punishment."
Jun Ji-hyun appeared on the YouTube channel "Channel Sibo-ya" released on the 6th and chatted with producer Na Young-seok.
Jun Ji-hyun said, "Director Yeon Sang-ho is so good at making zombie films that I tried a little (like a zombie) beside him, and he was watching the monitor without looking at me, then glanced at me from the corner of his eye and made a face as if he had discovered a rough gem," she said. Yeon Sang-ho added, "Aren't the legs long? When those long legs bent, I was like, 'Huh?' It was a bit like a pond skater," he added, bringing laughter.
[Photo] SHOWBOX
[OSEN]