"Filmmaker Yeon Sang-Ho Discloses Behind-the-Scenes Insights Regarding His Movie, Particularly BTS-Related Aspects"
Hey, friend! Let's dive into the twisted, thought-provoking world of Director Yeon Sang-ho's latest masterpiece, "Revelations".
Yeon, the guy behind "Train to Busan", "Hellbound", and "Parasyte: The Grey", is no stranger to keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and their brains churning.
"I love it when a movie makes you think," Yeon pitched. "That's the best part about watching a movie - the moment it ends, it starts again because you start thinking about that movie." And his newest feature is no exception.
Based on the same-named webtoon created by Yeon himself and writer Choi Gyu-seok, "Revelations" is a chilling, dark, and twisted thriller that shows how misguided convictions can lead someone down a destructive path.
Ryu Jun-yeol (The 8 Show, A Taxi Driver) delivers an astounding performance as Sung Min-chan, a pastor who, after receiving what he believes to be divine revelations, becomes hell-bent on tracking down and punishing the culprit in a missing person case. Detective Lee Yeon-hui (played by Shin Hyun-been of "Hospital Playlist" and "Reborn Rich") is assigned to the case and is tormented by visions of her dead sister as she chases after the same suspect.
Over its two-hour runtime, the film raises plenty of questions about faith, morality, and human fragility. Its eerie reminder that even those with good intentions can cause substantial harm shows just how important it is to be aware of our beliefs and how deeply we cling to them.
And at a time when ideological divides and religious and political extremism are at a fever pitch, viewers will certainly be able to draw many real-world parallels.
I chatted with Director Yeon over Zoom to get his insights on some of the themes explored in "Revelations" and to learn more about how the webtoon was brought to the big screen.
"It stemmed from the character Sung Min-chan, someone who sees only what he wants to see and believes only what he wants to believe," Yeon explained.
"I thought of weaving this concept of pareidolia together with the character of Min-chan, and that's how our conversations started," he continued. "Then this other character, Lee Yeon-hui, came up naturally in our conversations and was developed."
Ryu Jun-yeol was Yeon's top choice to portray Min-chan, and his phenomenal performance certainly proves that to be the best decision.
Alfonso Cuarón, the acclaimed director behind "Gravity" and "Y Tu Mamá También", is an executive producer of the film. When this collaboration came about, Cuarón's production company reached out to Yeon and said they wanted to work together. They were interested in Korean-language projects and, lucky for us, "Revelations" seemed like a perfect fit.
So, friend, grab some popcorn and prepare to have your mind blown. "Revelations" is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good thriller with a thought-provoking message.
*Warning: Spoilers Ahead for 'Revelations'!
Regina Kim: Hey, Director Yeon! How did you come to collaborate with writer Choi Gyu-seok on "Revelations"?
Yeon Sang-ho: We actually went to college together and worked on Hellbound season 1 for the first time officially. But we've always conversed about each other's works and helped each other out. We came up with the story for "Revelations" while brainstorming ideas for season 2 of Hellbound.
Kim: Got it. What made you decide to create the webtoon for "Revelations", and why did you want to bring it to screen?
Yeon: I think it all stemmed from the character Sung Min-chan. Someone who sees only what he wants to see and believes only what he wants to believe. And that's how our conversations about the story started.
Kim: Ah, got it. Ryu Jun-yeol's performance as Min-chan was incredible. How did he come to be cast for the role?
Yeon: I wanted Ryu Jun-yeol for the role because he looks a bit like the character in the comic and is an amazing actor, especially considering his age. Jun-yeol was proactive during filming and really helped flesh out the character of Min-chan.
Kim: You've previously worked with Alfonso Cuarón on "Peninsula". How did that collaboration come about?
Yeon: His production company reached out to me and wanted to collaborate with me. They were interested in Korean-language projects, such as "Revelations". So I proposed working on "Revelations" together.
Kim: "Revelations" deals with themes of faith, morality, and the consequences of personal beliefs. Do these themes reflect your own beliefs or ideas?
Yeon: I think the themes of human fragility and faith are interesting to explore in a thriller format. "Revelations" doesn't strive to offer clear answers, but instead encourages viewers to reflect on their own convictions and the dangers of unchecked beliefs.
Enrichment Data:
Overall:"Revelations" delves into the theme of human fragility and the consequences of personal beliefs. The film subtly explores the dangers of unchecked beliefs and the selective nature of human perception, offering audiences an intimate and emotionally focused narrative. The collaboration between Yeon Sang-ho and Alfonso Cuarón helped bring the film’s visions to life, strengthening its message and appeal.
Ryu Jun-yeol was chosen by Director Yeon Sang-ho to portray Sung Min-chan in "Revelations" due to his acting skills and resemblance to the character in the comic. This film is a part of Netflix's Korean movie collection and falls under the thriller genre, much like Alfonso Cuarón's executed productions.
- Director Yeon Sang-ho and writer Choi Gyu-seok initially developed the story for "Revelations" while brainstorming ideas for the second season of "Hellbound" they had collaborated on in college.*
- The questions raised in "Revelations" about faith, morality, and human fragility make it a perfect addition to Netflix's catalog of thought-provoking films, reinforcing the idea that one's strongly held beliefs can be dangerous without proper examination.*
