The first movie stills are out for upcoming Korean period zombie film Outbreak (Rage) starring Hyun Bin and Jang Dong Gun. What was already primed to be a box office hit even had a third leading man in Kim Joo Hyuk in a cameo role but alas this film would be the final film in Kim Joo Hyuk’s to-do list before his untimely passing in October 2017. Kim Joo Hyuk’s role was quickly swapped in with Kim Tae Woo and filming continued onward to wrap earlier this month. The movie is about a wastrel Joseon prince who is really fighting a zombie type outbreak among his people, a bit late to ride the buzz and steam from the Train to Busan popularity in 2016 but still not a bad concept to freshen up the zombie genre and mix it with Joseon era politics and badass fighting skills.
A bit hilarious to see Hyun Bin holding a ginormous bouquet with matching color to his blood stained costume. But really HB n Jang Dong Gun together in an action movie? I wouldn’t miss it for the world!!
The story sound pretty similar to the upcoming drama by Kim Eun Hee, “Kingdom”. Crown prince? Zombie? Joseon? Anyway, zombie is not my kind of thing, so I will most likely pass this one.
I’m saying, it will be really hard to get Hyun Bin back on small screen. He is doing more than fine in Chungmuro, especially after the success of Confidential Assignment (which Yoona fans are very proud of and keep repeating how Yoona’s insignificant presence is what made that film successful). He should stay in Chungmuro and keep picking good films and build his reputation there. Enough of those arrogant and aloof chaebols. He’s played them one too many times.
Koreans love to follow trends. If he returns to dramaland, he’s probably influenced by people like Gong Yoo, Jang Dong-gun, Son Yejin and So Jisub who are all returning to dramaland one by one.
But really though, I watched the movie and all Yoona did was to act cute for a few minutes. Yet she got nominated for Best New Actress at Asian Film Awards. At least we know she won’t win; but who the heck thought that was an award-winning performance?
Finally, filmmakers have found a way to get me to watch a zombie movie – make it a sageuk and star Hyun Bin. Yep, that’ll do it. Can’t wait!!!!