Director Yeon Sang-ho, known for powerful works like The King of Pigs and The Fake, returns with Face, a film that asks profound questions about modern Korean history through the story of a family. Unlike his past hard-hitting style, Yeon describes this work as being made "like sewing with a needle rather than swinging a hammer."
The press screening for Face was held on September 10 at Megabox COEX, with Yeon and cast members Park Jung-min, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Hyun-bin, Lim Sung-jae, and Han Ji-hyun joining via livestream from the Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie had its world premiere.
A Story of Family and History
The film follows Im Young-gyu, a blind master engraver, and his son Im Dong-hwan, as they uncover the truth behind the mother's death hidden for 40 years. Yeon explained, "This film began with the question, 'Where did my obsession with success come from?' It made me reflect on what was lost and exploited during Korea's rapid industrial growth in the 1970s."
With a modest budget of 200 million KRW, the production was shot over three weeks with a small crew. The film unfolds through five interview-style sequences, gradually guiding viewers into the distorted inner world of its characters.
Park Jung-min's Dual Role
Park Jung-min takes on the challenge of playing both the young Im Young-gyu and his son Im Dong-hwan. He drew inspiration from observing visually impaired individuals and from personal family experiences. "It wasn't about making a bold challenge," he said. "But as I prepared, I realized this role aligned perfectly with the film's theme. It even made me reflect on my father's life."
Park distinguished the two roles with different tones, expressions, and movements. "Playing the father required more daring choices," he noted, adding that he intentionally leaned into exaggeration to reflect memory's distortion.
Powerful Ensemble Performances
Kwon Hae-hyo portrays Im Young-gyu in his later years, delivering a gripping 15-minute one-take confrontation scene with Park. Shin Hyun-bin plays Jung Young-hee, a character whose face is never shown, expressing her role through voice, gestures, and presence alone. Lim Sung-jae and Han Ji-hyun round out the cast as characters caught between morality and truth.
Global Premiere and Anticipation
Face has already been pre-sold to 157 countries and screened in the "Special Presentation" section of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival. Yeon shared, "Watching the film in a packed 1,800-seat theater was unforgettable. I was surprised to see how strongly international audiences connected with a story I thought would resonate mainly with Koreans."
Set for release in Korea on September 11, Face is drawing attention not only for its bold storytelling but also for Park Jung-min's transformative performance. As Yeon put it, "I've never been so desperate for a film to succeed—not just critically, but at the box office too."
