Creature Features have been a bit of a mixed bag in Korean cinema. While “The Host” enjoys a place of pride amongst the Top 5 highest-grossing Korean films of all time at the domestic box-office and “D-War” currently sits at No 24 on the same list, other films like “Sector 7” and “Chaw” haven’t fared so well. The latest offering in the genre from the country, “Monstrum” changes things up a bit with the story set during the Joseon era.
Synopsis
It’s the 22nd year of Jungjong. The plague has taken over Joseon, and fear runs rampant in the streets. When rumors of a vicious beast roaming Mount Inwangsan–called “Monstrum” by terrified masses–begin to spread, fear turns into panic. In order to quell the rising panic, King Jungjong brings back his most trusted general Yoon-gyeom from retirement. Joined by his daughter Myeong, his right-hand man Seong-han, and royal court officer Heo, Yoon-gyeom sets out to find the mysterious creature. Is the creature, Monstrum real? Or a figment of the fearful mass’ imagination? Will the people of Joseon ever live in peace again?
The film, by director Heo Jong-ho, stars Kim Myung-min (“Deranged”, the “Detective K” series), Park Hee-soon (“V.I.P.“, “The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion“), Choi Woo-sik (“Train To Busan“, “Okja“, “The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion“) and Lee Hye-ri (of K-Pop group Girl’s Day) and is expected to release on September 13th, 2018 in South Korea with a North American and European release expected later in the year.
https://youtu.be/5hpJrd0iWdY
