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Train to Busan: Zombie film takes S Korea by storm | Train to Busan: Zombie film takes S Korea by storm |
(2 months later) | |
Snakes on planes are old hat - it's zombies on trains you need to worry about this year. | Snakes on planes are old hat - it's zombies on trains you need to worry about this year. |
They are the stars of a new South Korean apocalyptic thriller terrorising audiences and breaking box office records at home and set to open in cinemas across Asia this week. | They are the stars of a new South Korean apocalyptic thriller terrorising audiences and breaking box office records at home and set to open in cinemas across Asia this week. |
Director Yeon Sang-ho's adrenaline-filled Train to Busan premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival. | Director Yeon Sang-ho's adrenaline-filled Train to Busan premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival. |
Blood, brains and mayhem all feature prominently as hordes of zombies devour unfortunate passengers trapped on board a bullet train from Seoul. | Blood, brains and mayhem all feature prominently as hordes of zombies devour unfortunate passengers trapped on board a bullet train from Seoul. |
K-Dramas + zombies = Korean blockbuster | K-Dramas + zombies = Korean blockbuster |
Train to Busan is South Korea's first home-grown zombie offering and has already achieved local box office success, taking a record $5.76m (£4.33m) on its opening day in July. | Train to Busan is South Korea's first home-grown zombie offering and has already achieved local box office success, taking a record $5.76m (£4.33m) on its opening day in July. |
The movie starts off with an innocent enough train journey, until a viral outbreak outside starts to infect passengers on board, turning them into the undead. The Korean government eventually declares a state of emergency and martial law. | The movie starts off with an innocent enough train journey, until a viral outbreak outside starts to infect passengers on board, turning them into the undead. The Korean government eventually declares a state of emergency and martial law. |
At the heart of the chaos is actor Gong Yoo, a typically-workaholic South Korean businessman travelling with his estranged daughter, oblivious to the unfolding apocalypse. | At the heart of the chaos is actor Gong Yoo, a typically-workaholic South Korean businessman travelling with his estranged daughter, oblivious to the unfolding apocalypse. |
The monsters are fast, really fast, and their attacks lightning speed, putting their Hollywood counterparts from World War Z to shame. | The monsters are fast, really fast, and their attacks lightning speed, putting their Hollywood counterparts from World War Z to shame. |
Equally terrifying is the infection and the rate at which it spreads rapidly between those unlucky enough to be trapped onboard as the high-speed train races to its final destination. | Equally terrifying is the infection and the rate at which it spreads rapidly between those unlucky enough to be trapped onboard as the high-speed train races to its final destination. |
To young Koreans like student Hahn Kwan-woo, 23, it is the film they have been waiting for. | To young Koreans like student Hahn Kwan-woo, 23, it is the film they have been waiting for. |
"Western films featuring zombies have always been huge hits in our country and there was not a single Korean zombie movie until 'Train to Busan' came out," he said. | "Western films featuring zombies have always been huge hits in our country and there was not a single Korean zombie movie until 'Train to Busan' came out," he said. |
"Many of my favourite actors also star in the movie." | "Many of my favourite actors also star in the movie." |
It may have all the predictable elements of a zombie story, but aficionados have also praised the film's uniquely South Korean take on the genre. | It may have all the predictable elements of a zombie story, but aficionados have also praised the film's uniquely South Korean take on the genre. |
"With a Mers epidemic [Middle East respiratory syndrome] sweeping South Korea in 2015 and soaring discontent with corruption and economic disparity, a zombie apocalypse serves as a potent allegory for the dog-eat-dog world," film critic Maggie Lee explained in one review. | "With a Mers epidemic [Middle East respiratory syndrome] sweeping South Korea in 2015 and soaring discontent with corruption and economic disparity, a zombie apocalypse serves as a potent allegory for the dog-eat-dog world," film critic Maggie Lee explained in one review. |
Stunning visual and special effects and "lean, gritty" screenplay also could not have hurt its chances of domestic success. | Stunning visual and special effects and "lean, gritty" screenplay also could not have hurt its chances of domestic success. |
Other critics praised the "brilliant" choice of setting on a Korean bullet train. | Other critics praised the "brilliant" choice of setting on a Korean bullet train. |
"I even have a friend who loved it because she takes the same train every time she goes home," said Mr Hahn. | "I even have a friend who loved it because she takes the same train every time she goes home," said Mr Hahn. |
But timing was also key, due to the appetite for summertime horror movies, said Jean Lee, a journalist and Wilson Center Global Fellow who also teaches Korean culture and film courses. | But timing was also key, due to the appetite for summertime horror movies, said Jean Lee, a journalist and Wilson Center Global Fellow who also teaches Korean culture and film courses. |
"South Korean horror films really took off in the late 1990s and 'Train to Busan' is a new twist on the horror genre," she told BBC News from Seoul. | "South Korean horror films really took off in the late 1990s and 'Train to Busan' is a new twist on the horror genre," she told BBC News from Seoul. |
"Most horror movies here are released in the summer, when the heat and humidity send people into air-conditioned theatres for movies that quite literally send a chill up their spines." | "Most horror movies here are released in the summer, when the heat and humidity send people into air-conditioned theatres for movies that quite literally send a chill up their spines." |
Apocalyptic love | Apocalyptic love |
Of course the best part about zombie movies is getting to see the best and worst of humanity, as the world comes to an end. | Of course the best part about zombie movies is getting to see the best and worst of humanity, as the world comes to an end. |
"'Train to Busan': Best zombie scare ever. This is coming from someone who can't even watch 'The Walking Dead'," wrote one fan on Twitter, referencing the popular US drama series. | "'Train to Busan': Best zombie scare ever. This is coming from someone who can't even watch 'The Walking Dead'," wrote one fan on Twitter, referencing the popular US drama series. |
Some even proclaimed it the "best zombie movie" they have ever seen. | Some even proclaimed it the "best zombie movie" they have ever seen. |
Fans like 24-year-old Oh Won-heo hope the movie will propel home-grown horror films to an international audience. | Fans like 24-year-old Oh Won-heo hope the movie will propel home-grown horror films to an international audience. |
"When people mention Asian horror, they think of Japan. But Korean horror tales are truly frightening and I hope 'Train to Busan' will make the world realise that our local movies are just as scary - or even better." | "When people mention Asian horror, they think of Japan. But Korean horror tales are truly frightening and I hope 'Train to Busan' will make the world realise that our local movies are just as scary - or even better." |
However, he added: "For my sake, I hope Hollywood will not ruin it with a remake." | However, he added: "For my sake, I hope Hollywood will not ruin it with a remake." |
On that point he may be out of luck - European and US film studios are already reported to be vying to make their own version. | On that point he may be out of luck - European and US film studios are already reported to be vying to make their own version. |
Train to Busan opens in the UK on 28 October |
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