The Host (2006 South Korean Film)
The Host (Korean: 괴물; RR: Gwoemul) is a 2006 South Korean monster film directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film centers on a dysfunctional family's struggle to rescue a young girl after she is abducted by a creature that emerges from the Han River in Seoul.
Background and Development
The premise of the film was inspired by the 2000 McFarland incident, in which a U.S. military employee discharged approximately 470 bottles of formaldehyde into the Han River. Bong Joon-ho began developing the screenplay in 2002 while working on Memories of Murder. The primary cast members, all of whom had previously collaborated with the director, agreed to participate based on the film's synopsis alone, as the script was not yet completed.
Production
Actual production began in late 2003. For the film's visual effects, Bong initially contacted New Zealand's Weta Workshop, but negotiations were unsuccessful. He subsequently collaborated with the U.S.-based graphics company The Orphanage. The design of the creature was finalized in mid-2005, following the creation of nearly 1,000 designs and 2,000 sketches. Principal photography commenced in July 2005, primarily around the Han River in Seoul, and concluded in January 2006. The production faced significant delays due to heavy rainfall.
Release and Reception
The film premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight section. It was released in South Korean theaters on July 27, 2006, across 620 screens. Upon its release, The Host achieved significant commercial success, breaking previous South Korean box office records by reaching 1 million viewers in two days and 5 million in 11 days. It eventually surpassed the record previously held by The King and the Clown.
Cast
- Song Kang-ho as Park Kang-doo
- Byun Hee-bong as Park Hee-bong
- Park Hae-il as Park Nam-il
- Bae Doo-na as Park Nam-joo
- Ko Ah-sung as Park Hyun-seo
Legacy
A 3D version of the film premiered at the 16th Busan International Film Festival in 2011 and was released in South Korean theaters in early 2012.