A Chilling Reality Hidden Behind the Face: A Defining High Point of the Yeon Sang-ho Universe
The 영화 <얼굴>, in which director Yeon Sang-ho reimagines his own graphic novel of the same name for the screen, deeply unsettled theaters in September 2025. By employing the motif of the “face” to explore human identity and corrupted impulses, this film represents one of the most intense expressions of Yeon Sang-ho’s thematic worldview. Below, we take a in-depth look at the core aspects of the film.
1. What Kind of Film Is <얼굴>?
This 영화 is a mystery thriller based on a graphic novel conceived visually and narratively by Yeon Sang-ho himself. Going beyond a conventional drama, it is deeply imbued with the director’s signature exploration of the disturbing dimensions of human nature. Since its release on September 11, 2025, audiences have described it as “the most Yeon Sang-ho–like live-action film”, leaving a deeply uncomfortable aftertaste.
2. Director and a Distinguished Cast Lineup
One point that deserves to be addressed first concerns the director’s filmography.
Director Yeon Sang-ho: A distinctive director who has built a unique cinematic universe through works such as Train to Busan, Hellbound, and Gaspard. (For reference, Be With You was directed by Lee Jang-hoon, not Yeon Sang-ho.)
Park Jung-min (as Im Young-gyu): He portrays a son who discovers mysterious photographs among his dying mother’s belongings and begins tracing her past. Park Jung-min’s characteristically sharp and obsessive energy serves as a key engine of the film’s tension.
Kwon Hae-hyo & Shin Hyun-been: Veteran actors often associated with the so-called “Yeon Sang-ho ensemble” join the cast. Kwon Hae-hyo portrays a opaque figure who blocks the path to the truth, while Shin Hyun-been plays a character who holds the core secret of the 사건, together forming a tightly interlocked acting ensemble.
3. Narrative Depth and the Thematic Meaning of “얼굴”
The 영화 focuses on the contradictory layers of humanity that the protagonist Young-gyu encounters while following the traces of his mother’s past. At first glance, it may appear to be a nostalgic memory piece about recovering lost memories, but in reality, it mercilessly exposes the latent hypocrisy hidden beneath everyday human relationships.
Within the film, “얼굴” functions as both a constructed persona and an inescapable mark of the past. Across its 103-minute runtime, the audience is repeatedly confronted with a inescapable question: “Is the face we see of others ever truly the truth?”
4. Behind the Scenes: Mise-en-scène Beyond the Limits of a Restrained Budget
There is 얼굴 다시보기 티비위키 also a point to clarify regarding the production scale. While Yeon Sang-ho has previously worked with minimal funding during his independent animation days, this 영화 <얼굴> presents visuals of far greater refinement.
Particular attention was paid to set construction in order to preserve the eerie atmosphere of the original graphic novel. The spaces feel simultaneously realistic and uncanny, producing a visual experience that makes the audience feel as though they are wandering within the characters’ nightmares.
5. Key Viewing Points and Audience Reception
Immersive storytelling: Suitable for its age-restricted audience, the film maintains a steady sense of tension and a carefully controlled narrative flow.
Powerful performances: Park Jung-min’s intense outburst in the latter half has been widely praised, with many viewers noting that the characters’ faces linger like mental imprints long after the screening ends.
Critical response: Reviews are largely affirmative, stating that “the chilling essence of the original work has been faithfully transplanted onto the screen.” While some criticize the film for being excessively dark, genre enthusiasts have shown overwhelming support.
6. In Closing: A Bleak Consolation from Yeon Sang-ho
The 영화 <얼굴> transcends the mystery genre to speak about the false fronts that all of us wear while navigating modern society. Forged through Yeon Sang-ho’s distinctive vision and the cast’s immersive performances, this work stands as a notable choice for viewers who value thematic weight over easy entertainment.