The Ugly marks the return to the big screen for Yeon Sang-ho, the acclaimed director who rose to fame with Train to Busan. Presented as a dramatic thriller, this South Korean film digs into the darker corners of the country’s recent history through a personal and family-centered investigation. It is scheduled for release in French theaters on February 25, 2026, and the trailer has just been unveiled.
Written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho, The Ugly continues his exploration of themes he’s known for—social violence, collective memory, and moral cracks—building on the groundwork laid in Seoul Station and Psychokinesis. The film features performances by Park Jeong-min, Kwon Hae-hyo, and Shin Hyun-been.
Born blind, a renowned master craftsman celebrated for the exquisite seals he carves lives in seclusion with his only son. Their quiet world is turned upside down when the bones of his wife, missing for over forty years, are finally discovered. The son embarks on a journey to uncover the buried past, gradually unraveling dark secrets rooted in violence, prejudice, and what the film calls the "human ugliness."
Through this pursuit of truth, The Ugly weaves a narrative layered with two timelines, blending intimate drama with historical reflection—all without ever tipping into spectacle.
With The Ugly, Yeon Sang-ho aimed to craft an allegory for a pivotal moment in South Korean history: the 1970s, a decade driven by a national obsession with economic growth. The father figure, Im Yeong-gyu, who rises to respectability despite his blindness, symbolizes this success story turned ideal. Conversely, the mother’s character exposes the hidden violence and exclusions lurking behind the official narrative.
The film explores how a society can simultaneously achieve material progress while fostering individual suffering, with the son's investigation serving as a thread that weaves together personal memory and collective history.
The Ugly was made under tightly controlled production conditions: just two weeks of preparation, thirteen days of filming, and a crew limited to around twenty people. Unable to shoot on authentic 1970s locations, the team decided to build several sets from scratch, including the streets of Cheonggyecheon and a textile factory, meticulously recreating Seoul of that era with impressive accuracy.
Lead production designer Lee Mok-won drew heavily from personal archives and photographs, while costumes and makeup were meticulously crafted to authentically recreate the era without relying on digital effects.
Pyo Sang-woo’s cinematography employs a clear chromatic contrast: five retro-inspired color palettes for the flashback scenes and cooler tones to depict the present. The original score, composed by Chai Min-joo, intertwines strings, layered textures, and electronic percussion to sustain a constant sense of tension and highlight the film’s spiritual undertones.
The entire piece employs a minimalist, sensory approach, emphasizing mood and emotion over straightforward exposition.
Park Jeong-min takes on a central challenge by portraying two versions of the same character across different eras, including that of a blind craftsman. For this role, he wore opaque lenses, underwent seal carving training, and even crafted some of the on-screen pieces himself. Meanwhile, Kwon Hae-hyo returns as the same character in old age, maintaining a precise and consistent gestures throughout the depiction.
Shin Hyun-been portrays a character whose face is never shown, relying solely on voice and physical gestures to bring her to life—an artistic choice that profoundly shapes the framing and lighting of the scene.
The Ugly
Film | 2026
Released in theaters: February 25, 2026
Drama, Thriller | Runtime: 1h42
Directed by Yeon Sang-ho | Starring Park Jeong-min, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Hyun-been
Original title: Eolgul
Country: South Korea
In The Ugly, Yeon Sang-ho continues his exploration of social and moral fractures, delving into a more intimate narrative than his previous works, while remaining firmly rooted in a compelling political and historical commentary.
To extend your in-theater experience, check out the February movie releases, discover the must-watch films of the moment, and browse our highlighted thriller picks of the year.
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