Veteran Actor Byun Hee Bong Passes Away at 81 As it has done for ages, the Han River continues to pierce the very center of the capital city Seoul. But one day in the year 2000, through an unfortunate incident, a creature of an obscure nature is conceived in the waters of the river. As the creature slowly starts to grow in the depths of the river, people fail to sense signs of an impending disaster, devoting themselves to the Korea-Japan World Cup soccer finals, the Presidential elections and to their individual lives. Then, one day in 2005, in front of countless citizens taking a stroll and enjoying the weekend on the banks of the Han River, the creature reveals itself in a shocking display of horror and mass slaughter. In an instant, the riverbank is turned into a gruesome sea of blood. The main character Gang Du is a man who passes tedious days operating a snack bar next to the river. On that day of great destruction, he witnesses his one and only daughter eaten up by the creature right before his eyes. The sudden appearance unforeseen and unexpected circumstances render the government and state powerless to act. And the once-ordinary citizen Gang Du and his family are thrust into a battle with the monster to rescue Hyun Seo. On the banks of the river, which are completely closed off by the government and declared a danger zone, Gang Du and his family rush into an unstoppable showdown with the monster. ~~ Inspired by the real life "McFarland Incident" in 2000 (a U.S. military employee discharged approximately 470 bottles of formaldehyde into the Han river). Edit Translation
- English
- Français
- Español
- Deutsch
- Native Title: 괴물
- Also Known As: Goemul , Monster , Gwoemul
- Screenwriter & Director: Bong Joon Ho
- Screenwriter: Baek Chul Hyun, Ha Joon Won
- Genres: Action, Thriller, Horror, Sci-Fi
Cast & Credits
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![Song Kang Ho in The Host Korean Movie (2006)]( "Song Kang Ho in The Host Korean Movie (2006)")
Song Kang Ho Main Role -
![Byun Hee Bong in The Host Korean Movie (2006)]( "Byun Hee Bong in The Host Korean Movie (2006)")
Byun Hee BongPark Hee BongMain Role -
![Park Hae Il in The Host Korean Movie (2006)]( "Park Hae Il in The Host Korean Movie (2006)")
Park Hae Il Main Role -
![Bae Doo Na in The Host Korean Movie (2006)]( "Bae Doo Na in The Host Korean Movie (2006)")
Bae Doo Na Main Role -
![Go Ah Sung in The Host Korean Movie (2006)]( "Go Ah Sung in The Host Korean Movie (2006)")
Go Ah Sung Main Role -
![Oh Dal Soo in The Host Korean Movie (2006)]( "Oh Dal Soo in The Host Korean Movie (2006)")
Oh Dal SooMonster [Voice]Support Role
Reviews
This movie is a masterpiece by the talented director Bong Joon-ho. The genre for this movie is a horror but this does not mean that it obeys every convention of a 'normal' horror movie.
Bong uses The Host to address the political relationship between America and South Korea. This movie is often seen as a very anti-America film BUT this is not what Bong intended. Bong does not paint the South Korean people featured within the film well either.
Bong addresses the issue of heroism in America; he addresses the Korean people's attachment to cellphones and technology; he addresses political relationships; family relationships; etc etc etc
This movie may NOT seem like a horror movie. It is but then it also is not. It is not a gruesome movie, it does not have much gore, and the moments of tension and anxiousness that the Host will inflict on the viewer is broken will moments of black humor. These inserts of humor is not to get 'cheap laughs' but to distance the viewer from what is being shown on screen. The humor that Bong uses makes the viewer remember that it is just a story, it is a movie and not real, then the viewer can watch and make a judgement on the relationships being shown on screen without leaving the theater jumpy and scared.
The monster within the Host was accidentally created by the American base dumping a toxic chemical into the Han River. This is very significant as a situation like this happened in reality. The American base's morgue dumped hundreds of liters of embalming fluid into the Han river in 2000. The Han river did become toxic because of this. (although some people claim that this is only a myth).
During the Host Bong addresses some of the political issues between South Korea and America that are present in reality.
This movie was so popular in South Korea that 20% of the total population of South Korea, even today, watched The Host at the cinema (this does not include people watching it more than one or home viewings). I highly recommend watching this movie as it is not only an enjoyable storyline but it gives insight into reality.
I live in New Zealand and in my University Cinema Studies course The Host was featured and analyzed. This movie is influential enough to have been recognized in such a small country as New Zealand. I high recommend watching this movie.
Also if you are put off by the genre Horror don't be, this is not a conventional horror movie, to the casual viewer it will seem more to be more like a Thriller than Horror. And if you are put off by my review please don't be. This movie is a great watch on the surface and very enjoyable to the casual viewer.
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THE HOST is decently executed, and its not being excessively gory makes it an interesting watch for kids as well. They are bound to love it. The director's approach towards the film's genre is interesting and he binds action, emotions and thrills very well in the film. The screenplay is excellent, as the film doesn't take too long in setting up the story and characters. The editing too is a major plus.
Technically, it's one of the best South Korean films. From visual effects to action scenes: everything is executed and presented very well.
As far as the performances are concerned, every actor does a great job, but of course it's Song Kang-ho who takes the lead with his top notch performance.
THE HOST is undoubtedly an excellent and memorable action-horror flick which is a must watch for anyone who loves watching films.
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