Yeon Sang-ho addresses how his upcoming movieGunchewill differ fromTrain to Busan. 2016’sTrain to Busanhelped put Yeon on the map, introducing international audiences to his story of a zombie virus that takes over South Korea, threatening passengers who are on a train from Seoul to Busan. The film inspired a spiritual sequel,Peninsula, four years later. Though the two movies are based in the same universe, their plots are independent, makingPeninsulaa standalone sequel. Now, Yeon is in production on a new zombie film,Gunche.
In an interview withScreen Rantfor his new filmRevelations, Yeon discusses howGuncheis different fromTrain to Busan. Yeon explains that in bothTrain to BusanandPeninsula, “the space where everything happened” was the pinnacle of the story. As such, these films focused on “where the zombie virus started and spread.” However,inGunche, “the zombie is of [their] utmost focus.“Check out the full quote from Yeon below:
Screen Rant:My favorite works of yours areTrain to BusanandPeninsula. I know thatGunchewas recently announced, so can you tell me anything about that movie and its role in your zombie universe?
Yeon Sang-ho:In my past zombie projects, what was really important was the space where everything happened, where the zombie virus started and spread. But in Gunche, the zombie is of our utmost focus. They have their own characteristics, so I think it’s going to truly be a new kind of zombie movie, for sure.
What This Means For Gunche
Gunche’s Plot May Focus On The Virus
Yeon’s latest zombie movie was first announced a few weeks ago. While its plot details have been kept largely under wraps, the film was described by its distributor as “the culmination of Yeon Sang-ho’s universe, spanning from Train to Busan to Peninsula.” This suggests that, in a similar vein toPeninsula,Guncheis set in the same world as the predecessors, though it might not necessarily be a direct follow-up. Yeon’s explanation of the movie suggests thatGunche, likePeninsula, will be a standalone sequel.
Train To Busan Ending Explained
Yeon Sang-ho and Gong Yoo’s critically acclaimed 2016 zombie movie, Train to Busan, has a bittersweet ending that leaves audiences wanting more.
Yeon’s quote also gives some further context as to whereGunchewill find its main drama. The English-language title for the film has not been revealed, but the word “gunche” translates to biological colony. As such, it would make sense ifGunchefocuses more heavily on the ins and outs of the virus and how it turns people into zombies. Focusing the lore like so would definitely situate “the zombie” asGunche’s “utmost focus” and give the virus-ridden beings “their own characteristics.”
Our Take On The Gunche News
This Departure Could Be A Welcome Change
Departing from the groundwork laid byTrain to BusanandPeninsulais a risky but potentially fruitful decision. WhileTrain to Busanreceived rave reviews,Peninsula’s reception was a lot more mixed than the first film. By comparison, many people found the film to be less gripping thanTrain to Busan. By creating an entirely new type ofzombie movie,Gunchecan likely avoid some of these comparisons and be judged on its own terms. As a Yeon-directed zombie movie, the pressure is still high, but stepping out into its own thing could be a positive decision.
Train to Busan
Cast
Train to Busan is a South Korean action-horror film released in 2016. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, it centers on passengers aboard an express train from Seoul to Busan during a sudden zombie outbreak. As the virus spreads, the survivors must navigate the chaotic and dangerous environment to reach safety.
