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Korean Horror Movie "The Host"

"The Host", a.k.a Gweomul, is a satirical creature feature starring the internationally renowned Song Kang-ho, that's more than just good fun. However, the movie has western influence and is one of the best in the region. It is a minor classic equipped with a plethora of entertainment stuff based on excellent performances by the star cast.

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The story begins in Seoul with an irresponsible American military chemist ordering his Korean assistant to dump a large supply of formaldehyde straight down the sink and into the Han river. Sometime later, a large crowd gathers on the banks of the river, curious of a strange, dark shape that hangs from a bridge before plummeting into the water.

Working on the waterfront at his father's food stall, the dim-witted Park Kang-doo (Song Kang-ho) is among the crowd who are then terrorized by a mutated river-creature. In the chaos, he loses his daughter Hyeon-seo (Go Ah-sung), believing she's dead until he gets a muffled call over his cell phone. Determined to rescue his daughter, Kang-doo must elude military authorities (who believe he's been infected with a dangerous virus) and hunt a monster side by side with his somewhat eccentric family.

Jaws Meets Tremors in Bong Joon-ho's Genre-hybrid

"The Host" has been touted as a Jaws meets Tremors sort of affair, and it does have elements of both, while not quite matching Jaws for drama or Tremors for fun, even if it does come close. However, what you also get is a film with elements of horror (from the Re-animator-esque opening to suspenseful scenes of close-quarter confinement with the creature) along with a heavy dose of Bong Joon-ho's satire against the political agendas and militarism of American forces in Seoul. As usual, distributors have to sell the film as "this meets that", not "both and more", neglecting the fact that "The Host" is a true hybrid film.

Given the director's not-so-subversive swipes at American politics, which also includes a chemical called Agent Yellow (as opposed to Agent Orange, used by American forces during the Vietnam war), it would be no surprise if the film itself is a deliberate genre-hybrid created by the influx of "toxic waste" that is American popular culture into Korean society, just as the creature itself is a conglomeration of mutated river life.

If that is the case it's a somewhat contradictory message to the fact that this is a crackingly well-made film with clear Western influence, doing what many of Korea's best directors are doing by embracing the good in Western film-making and rejecting the bad. While it might be argued that "The Host" would be a more effective piece if it had dedicated itself to one of the many genres that it piles in, the film's hybrid nature does make it more receptive to subsequent viewings. Also, Bong Joon-ho is obviously a director of high quality and irrespective of those other points the film is brilliantly composed (with cinematographer Kim Hyung-goo also taking credit for that).

"The Host" Cast

The 'everyman' of Korean film is present again, with Song Kang-ho leading the cast. ("The Foul King", "Memories of Murder", "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance", "The Good, the Bad, the Weird", and many, many more). Song Kang-ho is always versatile and always delivers, here fulfilling the role of the hapless Kang-doo with his usual, and unique, style.

Song Kang-ho is joined by Byun Hee-bong as his aging father, Bae Doona as his talented though hesitant sister just returned from competing in Olympic archery, and Park Hae-il as his rebellious, alcoholic brother. Simply put, some deliberately hokey acting is supplemented by the fact that they're all genuinely capable actors and they come together to create an amusingly disfunctional family.

A mention should also go to Go Ah-sung as the daughter Hyeon-seo, whose character is used to good effect - sharing the aforementioned close-quarters with the creature - and Go Ah-sung more than carries her own weight through the film. That's a particularly good thing considering that most of the actual drama comes from her role.

"The Host" Summary

Overall, "The Host" is a Korean classic that will entertain the vast majority of those who see it. It's full of good performances from cast and crew with some surprisingly stunning special effects (and praiseworthy for the fact that the first attack of the creature is shown vividly and in broad daylight).

Bong Joon-ho, who has only made a half dozen films over the past decade, is nevertheless one of Korea's foremost directors.

For anyone who happens to be looking for a Horror/Comedy/Drama b-movie-that's-not-a-b-movie, then "The Host" should be high on your list of priorities. For everyone else, this is still more than worth a watch. It is one of the most watched horror movies in the decade and still lures new audiences.

"The Host" Further Details

Producer: Choi Yong-bae
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Screenplay: Bong Joon-ho, Baek Ceoul-hyeon
Star casts: Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Bae Doona, Park Hae-il, Go Ah-sung
Released: July 2006 (South Korea) by Chungeorahm Film & Showbox Entertainment
Running Time: 120 mins approx

"The Host" Verdict

In simple words, "The Host" has much to offer to viewers such as good performances by the star casts and stunning special effects. Direction is good and it is a beautiful blend of horror, comedy and drama. Leading cast Song Kang-ho is versatile and the actual drama unfolds gradually. The storyline is being appreciated based on good script. It is undoubtedly a well-made movie even though western influence has been embraced.

The film is equipped with good elements of horror and heavy doses of satire. It is an example of a true hybrid movie. It is more receptive to subsequent viewings. The cinematography by Kim Hyung-koo is well composed.

The movie has placed the value of Korean movies to a different level and set a competitive example in the global entertainment industry. It is packed with everything a viewer wishes to have. It is a must-watch movie for cinema lovers. Visit site for further reading.

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