A Brutal Truth Hidden Behind the Face: A New Peak 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 the nature of the self and corrupted impulses, this film represents one of the most concentrated expressions of Yeon Sang-ho’s thematic worldview. Below, we take a comprehensive look at the core aspects of the film.
1. What Kind of Film Is <얼굴>?
This 영화 is a psychological thriller based on a graphic novel written and illustrated by Yeon Sang-ho himself. Going beyond a typical narrative, it is deeply imbued with the director’s signature exploration of the grotesque side 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 lingering aftertaste.
2. Director and a Carefully Curated 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 recurring cast of Yeon Sang-ho’s works join the cast. Kwon Hae-hyo portrays a mysterious 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 multiple facets of humanity that the protagonist Young-gyu encounters while following the remnants 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 brutally reveals the latent hypocrisy hidden beneath everyday human relationships.
Within the film, “얼굴” functions as both a public façade and an irreversible imprint of the past. Across its 103-minute runtime, the audience is repeatedly confronted with a heavy 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 set construction in order to preserve the eerie atmosphere of the original graphic novel. The spaces feel simultaneously grounded yet surreal, producing a visual experience that makes the audience feel as though they are being trapped inside the characters’ nightmares.
5. Key Viewing Points and Audience Reception
Immersive storytelling: Suitable for its 15+ rating, the film maintains a suffocating sense of tension and a mysteriously unfolding 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 visual echoes long after the screening ends.
Critical response: Reviews are largely favorable, 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 website have shown enthusiastic 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 committed performances, this work stands as a highly recommended choice for viewers who value serious cinematic reflection over easy entertainment.