The Ugly (film): Difference between revisions

 

Line 30: Line 30:

| language = Korean

| language = Korean

| budget = ₩200 million<ref name=”prod:hl”/><br />{{nowrap|(~{{US$|143,600}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20250822/train-to-busan-director-takes-on-micro-budget-thriller-the-ugly/ |title=”Train to Busan” director takes on micro budget thriller ‘The Ugly’ |first=Byung-yeul |last=Baek |work=[[The Korea Times]] |date=22 August 2025 |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref>}}

| budget = ₩200 million<ref name=”prod:hl”/><br />{{nowrap|(~{{US$|143,600}})<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20250822/train-to-busan-director-takes-on-micro-budget-thriller-the-ugly/ |title=”Train to Busan” director takes on micro budget thriller ‘The Ugly’ |first=Byung-yeul |last=Baek |work=[[The Korea Times]] |date=22 August 2025 |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref>}}

| gross = {{USD|3.27 million}}<ref name=”ugly:korea”/><ref name=”box:korea”/>

| gross = {{USD|3. million}}<ref name=”ugly:korea”/><ref name=”box:korea”/>

}}

}}

2025 film South Korean by Yeon Sang-ho

The Ugly
Theatrical release poster
Hangul	얼굴
RR	Eolgul
MR	Ŏlgul
Directed by	Yeon Sang-ho
Screenplay by	Yeon Sang-ho
Based on	The Ugly by Yeon Sang-ho
Produced by	Yang Yoomin Hailey
Starring
Cinematography	Pyo Sang-woo
Edited by	Park Ju-ae
Music by	Chai Min-joo
Production company	Wow Point
Distributed by	Megabox Plus M
Release dates	September 9, 2025 (2025-09-09) (TIFF) September 11, 2025 (2025-09-11) (South Korea)
Running time	102 minutes
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean
Budget	₩200 million[1] (~US$143,600)[2]
Box office	US$3.3 million[3][4]

The Ugly (Korean: 얼굴) is a 2025 South Korean mystery thriller film written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho. Based on director Yeon’s 2018 graphic novel of the same name, the film stars Park Jeong-min in dual roles as Im Young-gyu, a blind yet extraordinarily skilled painter, and his son, Im Dong-hwan, as he unearths long-buried truths surrounding the mysterious death of Dong-hwan’s mother—hidden for four decades.^[5][6] The cast also includes Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Hyun-been, Im Seong-jae, and Han Ji-hyun.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2025.^[7] It was released in South Korea on September 11, 2025 by Plus M Entertainment.

Lim Dong-hwan, the son of Lim Yeong-gyu, a visually impaired seal engraving master known as a living miracle, uncovers the truth behind his mother’s death after discovering her skeletal remains, thought to have been missing for 40 years.

The film was made with a production cost of ₩200 million.^[1] Actors Kwon Hae-hyo and Shin Hyun-bin, both of whom have previously collaborated with director Yeon Sang-ho, joined about 20 crew members for a three-week shoot that commenced in late July 2024.^[8][9] As part of Yeon’s experimental low-budget approach, Park Jeong-min appeared in the film without receiving an appearance fee. In addition, the production team minimized expenses by foregoing location filming in favor of hastily built sets.^[10]

The Ugly had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2025.^[11][12]

In October 2024, the film was presented at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), which is held in Busan, South Korea, in conjunction with the Busan International Film Festival.^[13]

The film was released on September 11, 2025 in South Korean theaters by Plus M Entertainment after its premiere at the festival.^[14][15]

The film was released on September 11, 2025 on 940 screens.^[3] It opened at the top recording 35,020 viewers on its opening day at the Korean box office.^[16]

As of September 17, 2025^[update], the film has grossed US$3,269,527 from 433,489 admissions.^[3][4]

Kang Hyo-jin’s review of the film for SPOTV News highlights the film’s relentless energy and gripping narrative, which maintains immersion from start to finish. She praised the director Yeon Sang-ho for making a quality film on low budget, writing, “director Yeon Sang-ho achieves a seamless quality, as if he were employing alchemy.” According to Kang, the standout element is the dual-role performances by Park Jeong-min and Kwon Hae-hyo, who portray different versions of the character Im Young-gyu with striking clarity and emotional depth. Kang praised their climactic father-son dialogue writing, “The father-son dialogue near the end, in particular, is captivating and the two actors’ passionate performances sweep the audience off their feet.” Concluding the review, Kang described it as mesmerizing and emotionally charged. In her opinion, the final scene leaves a lasting impression that is expected to resonate with audiences and spark discussion among film enthusiasts.^[17]

Tim Grierson reviewing for ScreenDaily at TIFF calls it a “calibrated thriller” that blends murder mystery with deeper themes of beauty and self-worth. He praised Yeon Sang-ho’s shift from genre spectacle to a more intimate, character-driven story, noting the clever use of flashbacks and the emotional weight of Lim Dong-hwan’s search for the truth.^[18] Steven Scaife of Slant Magazine rated the film 2 out of 4 stars and said that “The film plays a long game with audiences that frustrates far more than it illuminates.”^[19]