Train to Busan Zombie Virus Explained

Director Yeon Sang-ho's new film, "The Bequeathed," has been officially invited to the Midnight Screenings section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, marking the director's fourth invitation to the prestigious event. Following "The King of Pigs" (2012), "Train to Busan" (2016), and "Peninsula" (2020), Yeon Sang-ho will walk the Cannes red carpet again with "The Bequeathed." The film depicts the desperate struggle of survivors inside a building sealed off due to an unknown infectious outbreak. It has already set a record by being pre-sold to 124 countries worldwide before its release.

The film is scheduled for its world premiere at the Palais des Festivals' Grand Théâtre Lumière on May 16th at 00:30 local time. Director Yeon Sang-ho will attend along with a large contingent of lead actors, including Jeon Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-been, and Kim Shin-rok. This will be the first Cannes Film Festival red carpet experience for these actors. Through their distributors, the actors expressed their excitement about attending Cannes and their ambition to showcase the prowess of Korean cinema.

The recently released official trailer showcases the evolving infected, hinting at an unpredictable threat. The infected are not merely creatures driven by instinct but are portrayed as an "organic and intelligently transforming hive," delivering a unique brand of horror distinct from conventional zombie films. Furthermore, the appearance of the mysterious character Seo Young-cheol (played by Koo Kyo-hwan) adds to the film's mystery, and his line, "I am the only vaccine that can stop this crisis," piques curiosity.

The overseas pre-sale record for "The Bequeathed" reflects the high expectations of international distributors regarding director Yeon Sang-ho's directorial skills, star-studded cast, and creative approach. North American distributor Well Go USA stated they chose the film based on their trust in Yeon's accomplished directorial capabilities, while Taiwanese distributor Movie Cloud highlighted the novelty of the intelligent "hive" concept. German distributor Plaion Pictures praised Yeon Sang-ho for reinventing a subgenre of the zombie genre, calling "The Bequeathed" the pinnacle of his work.

"The Bequeathed" will begin its theatrical release in South Korea on May 21st, followed by staggered releases in Taiwan, Malaysia, France, and Singapore. It is slated for release in North America in August and will reach Japanese audiences in 2027. International critics have hailed "The Bequeathed" as a "masterpiece that will set a new standard for years to come," and anticipation is high to see if it can further elevate the status of Korean cinema.