“Train to Busan” is a 2016 South Korean action horror film directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who was previously known for animation. The film primarily revolves around a Zombie outbreak, featuring a notable cast of Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, and more and was set across a KTX train from Seoul to Busan. The movie is well-known for having very action packed scenes along with an insightful commentary on social issues, earning acclaim from many critics after release and being highlighted as a modern classic in the Zomdy (Zombie comedy) genre.
Synopsis:
The main plot of the film follows Seok-woo, played by Gong Yoo, who is a fund manager dealing with a heavy work related separation from his daughter Su-an, who is played by Kim Su-an. Seok-woo agrees to board the KTX 101 train with Su-an in a bid to fix their relationship after learning that Su-an wishes to spend her birthday away from him and her grandma, and with her mother who is currently in Busan.
As the train departs, an infected woman boards the train and is seen succumbing to the infection. This leads to a Zombie outbreak across the entirety of South Korea. As the passengers panic and begin boarding the train, they become the victims of a crisis as the infection begins to escalate.
Some of the passengers are Sang-hwa (Ma Dong-seok), a kindhearted man accompanied by his pregnant wife, Seong-kyeong (Jung Yu-mi), who is also a tough woman. A highschool baseball team consisting of Yong-guk (Choi Woo-shik) and his cheerleader girlfriend, Jin-hee (Ahn So-hee), is also on the train along with the COO Yon-suk (Kim Eui-sung), who is only looking out for his own interests. Over the course of the trip, people begin to form and break bonds which shows the good and bad sides of humanity when under extreme stress.
The group encounters many challenges like infected passengers at train stations, blocked railroads, and scarcity of essential supplies. Seok-woo’s character arc is especially impressive as the man advances from a lifeless father to an actively protective dad who would do anything to keep his daughter safe. The tension rises as the remaining survivors get closer to Busan, one of the last sanctuaries amidst the mayhem.
Cast & Crew:
Gong Yoo as Seok-woo: A fund manager who tries to reconnect with his daughter during the catastrophic events.
Kim Su-an as Su-an: Seok-woo’s daughter plays the role and gives up hopes of meeting her mother in the climax of the film.
Ma Dong-seok as Sang-hwa: A robust husband who, like his wife, provides the team with moral support.
Jung Yu-mi as Seong-kyeong: Sang-hwa’s wife character plays a tough loving supportive woman who is a mercy in the midst of a world gone crazy.
Kim Eui-sung as Yon-suk: Portrays a self-centered business leader which brings forward the issue of individual versus group.
Choi Woo-shik as Yong-guk and Ahn So-hee as Jin-hee: Depicts young love challenged in desperate situations.
The film is directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who is widely known for his work in dramatized animation. This film is a showcase of how he channels his animated works and deeply emotional action into one. The screenplay, which is co-written by Park Joo-suk, has elements of set action as well as character driven action. In the Lee Hyung-Deok lenses the cinematographer, the viewers will experience the constricting atmosphere of train travel, while Yang Jinmo, the editor, works with a fast pace to keep the audience anxious. Olympian Jang Young-gyu underscores the film’s emotional and thrilling scenes.
Critical Reception:
“Train to Busan” was successful in attracting attention from both critics and audiences. As for the Rotten Tomatoes score, the scores stand at an overwhelming 94% which states, “Train to Busan delivers a thrillingly unique and purely entertaining take on the zombie genre, with fully realized characters and plenty of social commentary to underscore the bursts of skillfully staged action.”
The movie did earn praise for its attempt to merge drama with high-octane action and for breathing life into the moribund Zombie sub-genre. Reviewers praised how the film successfully combined dread with tenderness, leading to a plot that extends beyond simple horror narratives.
Analysis:
“Train to Busan” is a zombie thriller on the surface; however, it serves multiple societal purposes. The isolated environment of the train serves as a microcosm, bringing out human nature ranging from selfless to egotistical. The character Yon-suk embodies the united forces of corporatism and moral ambiguity, which stands in stark contrast to Sang-hwa’s altruism and Seok-woo’s redemptive transformation.
Moreover, the movie critiques social class and hierarchy on a grander scale while hinting at how a single crisis can bind or deepen the divides. The change within Seok-woo’s character metaphorically speaks of the change one has to undergo to appreciate life and redefines the priorities one has to have when confronted with death.
The film utilizes tight framing and dynamic camera movements to instill a sense of urgency and claustrophobia. The fight scenes are done at the train in such a way that they can be described as masterful without being overly bloody.
Conclusion:
“Train to Busan” is not only entertaining, but also one of the best examples of modern cinematography. It exceeds the usual genre boundaries by blending horror, action, and sophisticated human drama. It tackles important social issues along with well-developed characters and skillful direction. While the movie is incredibly entertaining, it inspires the audience to think about how we deal with extreme situations.
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