The Ugly: Yeon Sang-ho’s Upcoming Mystery Thriller

About the Film

Director Yeon Sang-ho, known for his critically acclaimed films such as Peninsula, Train To Busan, and The King of Pigs, has set his next feature film as a mystery thriller called The Ugly. The film will be introduced to buyers at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan this week.

The film is based on Yeon’s 2018 graphic novel of the same name, which follows Im Dong-hwan, the son of a renowned seal engraving artisan, as he sets out to uncover the truth about his long-lost mother who has been missing for 40 years. The cast is led by Park Jeong-min, who plays the dual role of Dong-hwan and the character’s father, and Kwon Hae-hyo, who plays the father in present day.

Shooting took place over the summer, and the film is currently in post-production. Plus M Entertainment will handle international sales and launch the feature at the ACFM, which runs October 5-8 in Busan.

According to Yeon, the film began with the question: “What does it mean to overcome and defeat societal hatred?” The question grew into a story about a woman whose face society has collectively tried to forget. After telling the story in a graphic novel, Yeon became determined to adapt it as a live-action film.

The film is produced by Wow Point, the company behind Netflix series The Bequeathed, Parasyte: The Grey, and Hellbound season 2. Plus M Entertainment is a Korean development, production, financing, distribution, and international sales firm owned by Megabox, one of the biggest multiplex chains in Korea.

Yeon’s new film, The Ugly, promises to be an thrilling and thought-provoking mystery thriller that explores the themes of societal hatred and the power of storytelling.

Q: When will the film be released?
A: The film is expected to have its festival premiere next year.

Q: Who will distribute the film internationally?
A: Plus M Entertainment will handle international sales.

Q: What is the background of the film?
A: The film began as a graphic novel and is based on the true story of a woman whose face society has collectively tried to forget.

Q: What is the production company behind the film?
A: The film is produced by Wow Point, a Korean company that has produced several successful Netflix series.