Yeon Sang-ho is currently riding high on the success of his Netflix original seriesHellbound. But it was his first live-action film,Train to Busan, that really put him on the map. The film was released to widespread critical and audience acclaim in 2016, becoming an instant classic.Train to Busan’sunique setting, social commentary, character development, and terrifying fast-moving zombies makeitone of the best horror movies ever. The film takes place on a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan as passengers try to survive a zombie apocalypse.Train to Busanfeatures several notable actors, like Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Don Lee, and Choi Woo-shik.
After its box office success, Yeon followed upTrain to Busanwith a standalone sequel in 2020 titledTrain to Busan Presents: Peninsula,but it failed to live up to fans' expectations. He has also made a superhero film, 2018’sPsychokinesis,and the recent streaming hit on Netflix,Hellbound. In an interview with Variety, Yeon Sang-ho talked aboutHellbound’ssuccess and future possibilities. But when asked if he planned another zombie horror, Yeon answered affirmatively.
“I believe that the zombie genre is very traditional but at the same time, depending on what you bring to that, it can be completely new. Personally, I do have some ideas in terms of further development of what happens after Peninsula. But as for whether I will create that into a film, it’s something that I do want to do. However, because there are a lot of productions that I’m working on currently, I’m thinking that I have to sort of organize the ideas and work on what I have to work on.”
He further talked about his busy schedule and rejected the idea of developing a TV series set in the universe. As for whatTrain to Busan 3may be about, Yeon said the following.
“I would say that — in terms of that universe — they’ll all become related together. Peninsula was a post-apocalyptic film that focused on the car chases. The story that I’m thinking about after that would be closer to Train to Busan, where the story will be carried out in a small and restricted space. That’s something that I have in mind currently. So, in terms of the genre, you could say that it’s between Train to Busan and Peninsula.”
Yeon has a busy schedule ahead with a slew of movies and TV shows planned. We’ll wait a little longer for a direct or spiritual sequel toTrain to Busan.Peninsulawas an entertaining movie, but it lacked the flair and uniqueness of the original.An American remake ofTrain to Busanis also in the works from producer James Wan and director Timo Tjahjanto.
Yeon’s new TV series,Hellbound,which is based on his webtoon of the same name, premiered on Netflix on November 19 and has since overtakenSquid Gameas the most-watched series.Hellboundis a part police procedural and part supernatural horror show involving literal Demons coming to Earth and condemning people to hell. Be sure to watchHellboundif you’re in the mood for some thought-provoking yet horrifying drama.
