Director Yeon Sang-ho's 'The Face' Challenges Societal Beauty Standards with Gripping Mystery

Director Yeon Sang-ho's latest film, 'The Face,' has hit theaters, drawing significant attention for its profound exploration of superficial judgments and the hidden truths within human nature.

The narrative follows visually impaired master engraver Lim Young-gyu (played by Kwon Hae-hyo) and his son Lim Dong-hwan (Park Jung-min) as they unravel the mystery surrounding the death of their mother, Jung Young-hee (Shin Hyun-bin), who disappeared 40 years ago.

Initially described as monstrous in appearance, the film delves into Jung Young-hee's identity, progressively revealing the societal pressures of beauty standards and the concealed goodness of the character, leaving a lasting impact through the multifaceted portrayals of each individual.

Moving beyond his signature SF and occult thrillers, Yeon Sang-ho delivers a powerful message with a grounded realism, probing the realities behind a person's 'face.' The film's experimental approach, including keeping Shin Hyun-bin's face hidden throughout its runtime, stands out despite its low budget.

Director Yeon Sang-ho achieved massive success with his 2016 film 'Train to Busan,' captivating over ten million viewers in Korea and gaining international acclaim. His works consistently generate buzz for their unique universes and socially critical themes. More recently, he impressed global audiences with the Netflix series 'Parasyte: The Grey.'