In 2009, Gwoemul will once again menace Korea for the first time. © 2006 Chungeorahm Film

Producer provides new details on the upcoming sequel to the Korean monster hit Author: Kim Song-ho (Loomis) Source: Money Today Star News

Comic artist Kang Full is writing the script for THE HOST 2.

This past summer, the Korean studio Chungeorahm Film announced that they would be making a follow-up to their international success THE HOST (Gwoemul, 2006). Now Choi Yong-bae, CEO of Chungeorahm and producer of THE HOST has revealed some interesting tidbits for the upcoming sequel. He recently was interviewed by the Korean news site Star News and said that the screenplay for THE HOST 2 (Gwoemul 2) is currently being written. The scribe is Kang Full, a well-known comic artist of Korea. Choi told Star News that he expects the first draft of the screenplay to be submitted around December 20. The background of hiring Kang as the scribe was rooted from the fact that Chungeoram is producing two live-action adaptations of his work. One is called THE BOY-MEETS-GIRL COMIC (Sunjeongmanhwa) and the other is 26 YEARS (Yishipyukneyon). Choi said that during several meetings to discuss the latter, he discovered Kang had some good ideas for THE HOST 2 so he let him write the screenplay.

Cover art for Kang’s comic book 26 Years. © 2007 Kang Full, Munhak Segyesa

The full plot is not yet known, but Choi did spill some beans— that the story is set in 2003 and takes place `somewhere in Korea.` One interesting thing of note is that the events of the original film took place in the summer of 2006. Will the sequel actually be a prequel? Will it be set in the same timeline as the original? Only time will tell. Shooting is expected to begin in late summer of 2008 and the finished film is planned to be released in 2009. The production budget is reported to be higher than the original film`s 10 billion Korean won (approximately $10.9 million US). The director or principal cast are not yet confirmed. The producer said that he had various versions of how to make the sequel and he would first hire `supervisors` to help him decide one. Oddly, there was no mention at all about THE HOST 2 short pilot films (one of which was assigned to director Son Tae-woong) that were announced by Choi back in July. The interview did reveal that there are still offers for THE HOST TV series from other production companies. About Kang Full and his works Born in 1974, Kang Full is a pen name of Kang Do-young, who became well-known for his series of web comics. He received attention with Daily Life (Ilssangdabansa), a comical look at everyday occurrences, based on the real life events of ordinary people. His breakthrough work was The Boy-Meets-Girl Comic (Sunjeongmanhwa), a love story in which several couples were involved. His other works include Timing, Apart (Apartment) and 26 Years (Yishipyuknyeon). Most of his works have been also published in book form and received several domestic comic-related awards.

Domestic poster for APT., a live-action film based on Kang Full`s horror comic Apart. © 2006 Toilet Pictures, Younghwa Sesang

Because of Kang’s tight storytelling and sheer emotional touch, Korean filmmakers began to give attention to his works. Consequently, his horror comic Apart was adapted into APT. by director Ahn Byeong-ki in 2006. Ahn is internationally known for his series of horror films, such as NIGHTMARE (Gawi, 2000) and PHONE (Pon, 2002). Although APT. met with lackluster response, Kang’s comics are still hot among Korean filmmakers. Currently Chungeoram has two of his comic adaptations slated as upcoming projects. Director Ryu Jang-ha, who made SPRINGTIME (Ggotpineun bomi omyeon, 2004) with OLDBOY`s Choi Min-shik, is working on the live-action version of THE BOY-MEETS-GIRL COMIC. Lee Yeon-hee, a budding actress of Lee Myeong-se`s M (2007) is set to star and shooting will begin next month. And the political/vengeance drama 26 YEARS will be helmed by Lee Hae-young, who co-directed the acclaimed comedy LIKE A VIRGIN (Chunhajangsa Madonna, 2006), with his brother Lee Hae-jun (this time, Lee Hae-young is the sole director/writer). The film is planned to begin shooting next spring. Also, A FOOL (Babo, 2007), another adaptation starring Cha Tae-hyeon (of MY SASSY GIRL fame) and Ha Ji-won (who starred in PHONE, DUELIST, etc.) has been completed and reportedly TIMING is in the pre-production stage. For more on the artist, please visit Kang Full`s official website.