“The Ugly,” the anticipated Korean mystery thriller which is set for a world premiere at Toronto next month, has landed North American distribution with Well Go USA.
The movie is directed by acclaimed director Yeon Sang-ho, whose credits include smash hit “Train to Busan” and is headline by Park Jeong-min (“Decision to Leave”) and Kwon Hae-hyo (“Peninsula”).
Well Go USA is planning to release “The Ugly” in U.S. theaters on Sept. 26 following the Toronto bow.
“‘The Ugly’ is a gripping mystery thriller that explores the dark undercurrents of family and long-buried secrets,” said Doris Pfardrescher, president/CEO of Well Go USA. “With riveting performances from Park and Kwon and a masterfully layered script from Yeon Sang-ho, the film is a powerful testament to the emotional and narrative depth of global cinema,” Pfardrescher continued.
Penned by Yeon and based on his 2018 graphic novel “Face,” the movie tells the story of Im Yeong-gyu (Kwon), who is a master artisan who has been hand-carving beautiful, engraved seals despite having been born blind. One day, his son Dong-hwan (Park) receives a call from the police, informing them that Young-hee, their wife and mother, who disappeared 40 years ago, has been found as skeletal remains. Upon hearing that the mother whose face he’s never known may have been murdered, Dong-hwan begins investigating her death with Su-jin, a producer who has been filming a documentary about Yeong-gyu. Through the memories of those who worked with his mother at a garment factory 40 years ago, Dong-hwan comes face-to-face with the long-hidden truth.
Besides writing and directing, Yeon also produced the project alongside Wowpoint, the company behind Netflix’s “The Bequeathed” and “Parasyte: The Grey.”
“‘The Ugly’ is a particularly special film, as it is director Yeon Sang-ho’s first theatrical release in five years,” said Eugene Kim, Head of Content at Plus M Entertainment which represents international sales on the movie.
Kim pointed out Well Go is “a veteran in distributing Asian cinema. “We look forward to seeing how audiences resonate with the message of this film,” he continued.
Yeon made his feature debut in 2011 with “The King of Pigs” which was the first Korean animated film ever invited to Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. He went on to direct “The Fake” which won
best animated feature at the Sitges Film Festival in 2013. He broke through in a major way with “Train to Busan” in 2016, and directed Peninsula in 2020. Both titles premiered at Cannes.
The helmer made his TV debut with series “Hellbound” which played at Toronto in 2021 and had a second season launch in 2024. He also directed “Parasyte: The Grey” in 2024.
variety.com
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