The Sin (2024) by Hang Dong Seok, selected at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, is a striking and surprising horror thriller that leaves no one indifferent. Director Han Dong-Seok and Kim Su-young, the film’s co-screenwriter, were present during the screening. Discover the exclusive video of the film and this encounter on my new YouTube channel dedicated to Korean cinema and culture.
ARTICLE ALSO IN FRENCH: https://branchesculture.com/2024/06/16/korean-cinema-culture-the-sin-2024-de-han-dong-seok-interview-exclusive-au-brussels-international-fantastic-film-festival-bifff-video/
Si-young has been selected to play the lead role in an experimental artistic film focused on her specialty in dance. Along with her college friend Chae-yoon, they perform geometric choreographies as part of a shamanic ceremony under the director’s guidance. Their world turns upside down when a member of the production team suddenly falls from the roof, but his seemingly lifeless body starts moving and comes back to life.
A star-studded cast featuring actresses Yi-jae Song and Kim Yoon-hye, as well as actor Park Ji-Hoon.
While they admit to having conducted over a thousand auditions for the film, actress Kim Yoon-hye quickly emerged as an obvious choice for the director.
Known initially as Woori, Kim Yoon-hye had already appeared in a film selected at the BIFFF, playing a shaman in the excellent Ghost Sweepers (2012) by the late Jung-Won Shim. This Korean director had created gems of the Korean genre such as To Catch a Virgin Ghost (2004) and Night of the Undead (2020). Kim Yoon-hye has also appeared in numerous television series such as Vampire Detective (2016), My Sassy Girl (2017), Casting a Spell to You (2021), Vincenzo (2021), and most recently in the spectacular new series released on YouTube Korea in April, Goodbye Earth (2024). K-drama fans will also have the chance to see her soon in the series Jeong Nyeon (2024).
To complete the female duo in The Sin (2024), the young Yi-jae Song landed the role. This marks her second feature film after Not Out (2021) by Lee Jung Gon. Like Kim Yoon-hye, her remarkable performance is one of the highlights of The Sin (2024). Having a background in classical dance, she is perfect for her role.
Finally, actor Park Ji-Hoon is known for his roles in « Beyond Evil » (2021) as well as his iconic role as No. 250 in « Squid Game » (2021).
The Sin (2024), a religious horror film?
While The Sin (2024) is a wild horror film that oscillates between a zombie film and survival horror, many elements of the film reference the religious diversity present in Korean territory. As Hang Dong Seok affirmed during his visit to the BIFFF, the original sin is, according to him, the main common point among all religions coexisting in Korea and the world. Many elements have been borrowed or inspired by religions, such as the numerous symbols visible throughout the film. Ultimately, while it serves as the starting point of the film, the storyline primarily focuses on the characters and does not further explore the religious concept.
With incredible aesthetics and numerous twists, the film is well-paced with few dull moments. While this is a positive aspect, it is also one of the main criticisms that can be made of The Sin (2024). Scenes unfold at a frenetic pace, and there is ultimately little time to delve into the characters’ stories. As a result, viewers may sometimes feel a bit lost in this surreal and crazy narrative, and many left the screening without fully understanding this complex plot. Nevertheless, the film remains effective, riding on a more subtle and psychological horror style than the trailer suggests. The ending surprises and leaves the audience stunned by the explanation revealed by one of the film’s protagonists.
All Posters of The Sin (2024)
The BIFFF, a unique festival in the world!
The Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) is a unique festival in the world. This genre, sci-fi, and thriller festival has been around for over forty years and offers an unparalleled diversity of films with representatives from all over the globe. I have been attending the BIFFF for over 25 years, and it’s thanks to this festival that I fell in love with Korean cinema. The WIKIBIFFF lists nearly 179 Korean films screened since the creation of the BIFFF, in addition to the dozen films screened this year, including The Sin (2024). While the BIFFF is renowned not only for its diverse selection and the many stars from all over the world who come to present their films but also for its crazy atmosphere and participatory audience. The BIFFF is an experience in itself. Whether you love it or hate it, the BIFFF is unique. And it seems that Hang Dong Seok and Kim Su-young particularly enjoyed the festival’s atmosphere.
Korean Culture Cinema (KCC), my new YouTube channel!
As a cultural journalist and Belgian film critic for over a decade, I have wanted to make videos for several years to talk about my love and fascination for Korean culture. That’s why I (finally) decided to launch my YouTube channel to share my passion. I hope you’ll enjoy it. The Sin (2024) is only my second video on this platform, but I hope to make many more. Thank you in advance for following me and giving some visibility to my page if you appreciate my work and want to learn more about Korean culture. Thanks to the Korean Cultural Center Brussels for its unwavering support over the years.
https://www.youtube.com/@koreancinemaculture
https://brussels.korean-culture.org/en
