Beyond Busan: 'Colony' Redefines Zombie Evolution

Director Yeon Sang-ho returns to the zombie genre with "Colony," a film that expands his established cinematic universe. The movie stars Gianna Jun, Koo Kyo-hwan, and Ji Chang-wook. "Colony" premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival and is set for a U.S. theatrical release on August 28.

The plot centers on Kwon Se-jeong, played by Gianna Jun, a professor who becomes trapped in a high-rise building during a rapidly mutating virus outbreak. The infected in "Colony" are depicted with a unique collective intelligence, allowing them to learn and coordinate as a single entity.

Yeon Sang-ho explained the challenge of visually representing this 'colony' of zombies. He hired modern dance teams to choreograph movements emphasizing their collective nature, diverging from the approach used in "Train to Busan." The director was inspired by real-world colony organisms and their inherent drive to mutate.

The film's antagonist, Seo Young-chul, believes imperfect communication causes tragedy, which drives his bioterrorist actions. However, Yeon Sang-ho counters that individuality is essential to humanism, especially given our inability to achieve perfect communication.

Gianna Jun's character, Se-jeong, embodies the strength of individuality, portrayed as an assertive and confident outcast. Yeon Sang-ho has long admired Jun's ability to play unconventional female roles, citing her breakthrough in "My Sassy Girl." Influences for "Colony" include "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "28 Years Later," and "The Last of Us."

A potential continuation of "Colony" is being discussed as a video game with co-producer Smilegate. Gianna Jun expressed her commitment to Korean cinema, believing "what is most Korean is what is most global." Yeon Sang-ho also remains uninterested in directing a Hollywood remake of "Train to Busan."