A Brutal Truth Hidden Behind the Face: A Defining High Point of the Yeon Sang-ho Universe
The 영화 <얼굴>, in which director Yeon Sang-ho adapts 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 personal existence and twisted longing, this film represents one of the most concentrated 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 dark suspense film based on a graphic novel conceived visually and narratively by Yeon Sang-ho himself. Going beyond a standard genre piece, 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 “his most uncompromising work”, leaving a deeply uncomfortable aftertaste.
2. Director and a Notable Cast Lineup
One point that deserves to be addressed first concerns the director’s filmography.
Director Yeon Sang-ho: A singular auteur 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 fixated 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 elusive figure who blocks the path to the truth, while Shin Hyun-been plays a character who holds the central clue of the 사건, together forming a well-balanced 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 sentimental story about recovering lost memories, but in reality, it mercilessly exposes the ugly desires hidden beneath everyday human relationships.
Within the film, “얼굴” functions as both here a social mask and an irreversible imprint of the past. Across its 103-minute runtime, the audience is repeatedly confronted with a uncomfortable 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 also a point to clarify regarding the production scale. While Yeon Sang-ho has previously worked with extremely limited resources during his independent animation days, this 영화 <얼굴> presents visuals of far greater refinement.
Particular attention was paid to location selection 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 15+ rating, the film maintains a steady sense of tension and a deliberately paced narrative flow.
Powerful performances: Park Jung-min’s emotional eruption in the latter half has been widely praised, with many viewers noting that the characters’ faces linger like afterimages 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 emotionally heavy, genre enthusiasts have shown overwhelming support.
6. In Closing: A Cold Consolation from Yeon Sang-ho
The 영화 <얼굴> transcends the mystery genre to speak about the masks that all of us wear while navigating modern society. Forged through Yeon Sang-ho’s uncompromising direction and the cast’s fully embodied performances, this work stands as a notable choice for viewers who value thematic weight over easy entertainment.