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 translates 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 twisted longing, this film represents one of the most condensed 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 psychological thriller based on a graphic novel created entirely by Yeon Sang-ho himself. Going beyond a typical narrative, 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 website by Lee Jang-hoon, not Yeon Sang-ho.)
Park Jung-min (as Im Young-gyu): He portrays a son who discovers enigmatic images among his dying mother’s belongings and begins reconstructing her past. Park Jung-min’s characteristically razor-edged and driven 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 essential key of the 사건, together forming a well-balanced acting ensemble.
3. Narrative Depth and the Thematic Meaning of “얼굴”
The 영화 focuses on the various faces 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 coldly dissects the latent hypocrisy hidden beneath everyday human relationships.
Within the film, “얼굴” functions as both a public façade and an indelible scar 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 ultra-low budgets 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 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 visual echoes long after the screening ends.
Critical response: Reviews are largely positive, stating that “the chilling essence of the original work has been successfully transplanted onto the screen.” While some criticize the film for being relentlessly bleak, genre enthusiasts have shown enthusiastic 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 fully embodied performances, this work stands as a standout choice for viewers who value psychological depth over easy entertainment.