Jun Ji-hyun’s First Film in a Decade—Fresh Genre, Explosive Chemistry, Box Office Buzz

With filming now officially underway, 'Colony', the latest project from acclaimed director Yeon Sang-ho, has unveiled its star-studded cast.

The film follows a group of survivors trapped in a sealed-off building due to an unidentified virus—one that mutates unpredictably, turning the infected into deadly threats.

As the mastermind behind 'Train to Busan', 'Peninsula', 'Hellbound', and 'Parasyte: The Grey', Yeon has built a dedicated fanbase, making 'Colony' one of the most anticipated films of the year.

The casting alone has already made headlines, featuring top-tier actors like Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-been, and Kim Shin-rok. Jun Ji-hyun’s return to the big screen, nearly a decade after 'Assassination' (2015), marks her first collaboration with Yeon Sang-ho, heightening fan expectations.

Yeon Sang-ho: The Pioneer of K-Zombie Cinema

Yeon Sang-ho revolutionized the K-zombie genre with 'Train to Busan' (2016), a film that depicted a harrowing fight for survival aboard a train bound for the only safe city in a virus-ravaged Korea. The film became a box office sensation, drawing over 10 million viewers and earning Yeon accolades such as Best New Director at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Buil Film Awards, and Baeksang Arts Awards.

However, success came with its own challenges. During a 2020 appearance on SBS’s 'Lee Dong-wook: Because I Want to Talk', Yeon candidly reflected on the pressure he felt after 'Train to Busan'’s unprecedented success.

“For over a decade, I wasn’t recognized at all. Then suddenly, after 'Train to Busan', I was,” he shared. “If I just sat still, I felt like I might lose my mind. I didn’t know what to do next. The anxiety was overwhelming.”

Determined to keep creating, Yeon quickly moved on to his next project, 'Psychokinesis' (2018), a supernatural action film about a bank security guard (played by Ryu Seung-ryong) who suddenly develops telekinesis and must use his newfound powers to protect his daughter and neighbors. However, the film under-performed, drawing only 990,111 admissions and receiving mixed reviews.

Up Next: 'Revelations' Starring Ryu Jun-yeol and Shin Hyun-been

Yeon Sang-ho is not slowing down. His upcoming film 'Revelations', set for release on March 21, dives into a chilling psychological thriller. The film follows a pastor who believes it is his divine duty to punish the perpetrator of a missing persons case, and a detective haunted by the ghost of her murdered sister.

Ryu Jun-yeol takes on the role of Pastor Min-chan, while Shin Hyun-been plays Detective Yeon-hee, each navigating a perilous path shaped by their own beliefs.

With 'Colony' now in production and 'Revelations' hitting theaters soon, Yeon Sang-ho continues to push boundaries in Korean cinema, leaving audiences eager for what’s next.