The upcoming film “The Ugly” has unveiled its first stills!
Directed by Yeon Sang Ho, “The Ugly” follows the story of Im Dong Hwan (Park Jung Min), the son of Im Young Gyu (Kwon Hae Hyo)—a blind man who has become a skilled seal artisan—as he investigates the mysterious death of his mother, whose body was secretly buried for the past 40 years.
The newly released stills tease a story that shifts between past and present, capturing the layered emotions of its main characters and pieces of a larger puzzle.
Park Jung Min plays a dual role as both a young Im Young Gyu, a master craftsman with a visual impairment, and his son, Im Dong Hwan, showing a striking transformation. The stills highlight his strong presence as he seamlessly moves between the faces and emotions of two distinct characters.
The stills also feature Kwon Hae Hyo, whose dignified presence anchors the film, and Shin Hyun Been as Jung Young Hee, who appears as a mysterious silhouette seen through the eyes of her husband and son, neither of whom has ever seen her face, placing her at the center of the mystery.
Im Seong Jae plays Baek Joo Sang, the Cheonggyecheon garment factory owner, while Han Ji Hyun takes on the role of Kim Soo Jin, a documentary producer. Each still showcases these multidimensional characters, brought to life by some of the most prominent actors.
The film explores the truth of the past and the mystery of a mother’s death through five interviews, building gripping tension. It follows Im Dong Hwan, a son who holds a funeral for his mother, Jung Young Hee, without ever knowing her face after she returns as a skeletal corpse. Alongside documentary producer Kim Soo Jin, who is following his father, he traces his mother’s past and pieces together a 40-year puzzle.
The vivid mise en scène, spanning from the 1970s to the present, elevates the film’s quality with meticulous production details and draws viewers deeper into the story. Combined with director Yeon Sang Ho’s sharp direction, and the cast’s immersive performances, the film signals the evolution of the mystery genre in Korean cinema.
“The Ugly” is set to hit theaters in September.
In the meantime, watch Park Jung Min in “Harbin” on Viki:
And watch Im Seong Jae in “Law and The City” below:
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