Cover Gianna Jun in Yeon Sang-ho’s sci-fi horror film ‘The Colony’ (Image: IMDB)
Gianna Jun in Yeon Sang-ho’s sci-fi horror film ‘The Colony’ (Image: IMDB)
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South Korean superstar Gianna Jun returns to cinema after 11 years alongside director Yeon Sang-ho in ‘The Colony’, exploring collective intelligence, modern anxieties and the enduring power of the big screen
Having virtually redefined the modern Korean zombie genre with the runaway global success of Train to Busan (2016) and its post-apocalyptic follow-up Peninsula (2020), director Yeon Sang-ho set an exceptionally high bar for himself. When news first broke that he was returning to zombie cinema, industry observers and fans alike were filled with anticipation and endless speculation: how could the master of Korean action-horror possibly reinvent the trope without repeating himself?
He delivers a resounding answer with The Colony. Shifting away from the mindless, cannibalistic hordes of traditional horror tropes, the film introduces an infected species governed by a terrifying “hive-mind” collective intelligence that learns, adapts and evolves in real time.
The film also marks an iconic cultural moment off-screen, serving as the long-awaited big-screen return of South Korean superstar Gianna Jun (Jun Ji-hyun) after an 11-year hiatus. Following its preview screenings in Hong Kong this past May, where it generated immense excitement among film enthusiasts, the movie officially opened the 23rd edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF).
Ahead of its festival screening, Jun and Yeon sat down to discuss the modern anxieties underpinning the film, crafting suspense amidst chaos and why cinema remains irreplaceable.
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Above From left: Yeon Sang-ho and Gianna Jun attend the New York Asian Film Festival 2026 opening night, where their film ‘The Colony’ was screened at Walter Reade Theater in July 2026 in New York City (Photo: Getty Images)
From left: Yeon Sang-ho and Gianna Jun attend the New York Asian Film Festival 2026 opening night, where their film ‘The Colony’ was screened at Walter Reade Theater in July 2026 in New York City (Photo: Getty Images)
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Director Yeon, you have been widely celebrated for your previous zombie films like Train to Busan and Peninsula. What inspired the unique biological twist of collective intelligence in The Colony?
While working on the script with Choi Gyu-seok—the co-writer of the sci-fi horror webtoon series Hellbound—we were discussing the dangers of collectivism. We realised that in the age of artificial intelligence, technology is often perceived as the sum of universal human thought. In reality, however, it risks erasing minority opinions and individual perspectives. That concept sparked the story. Since the core theme deals with the perils of collectivist thought, turning it into a zombie film felt like a natural vehicle to explore those modern anxieties.
What draws you to the zombie genre so consistently in your directorial career?
Ever since George A Romero’s 1968 sci-fi horror film Night of the Living Dead, zombie films have served as a mirror reflecting the latent fears and anxieties of their time. Throughout my career, I have always been drawn to social issues while simultaneously loving genre cinema. Zombie films offer the perfect intersection where narrative entertainment and social commentary converge seamlessly.
Above Gianna Jun plays a doctor in Yeon Sang-ho’s sci-fi horror film ‘The Colony’ (Image: IMDB)
Gianna Jun plays a doctor in Yeon Sang-ho’s sci-fi horror film ‘The Colony’ (Image: IMDB)
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Gianna, The Colony marks your first major feature film role in over a decade. What drew you to this project?
It was not intentional to stay away from cinema for 11 years, but returning to the big screen made me realise how much I missed it. Working with Yeon is something any actor working in Korea dreams of, so accepting the role was completely natural. When I read the script, it was so well-crafted that I immediately knew it was a film I wanted to experience inside a movie theatre.
Your character, , is forced to lead survivors through terrifying situations. How did you prepare for such an emotionally intense, high-stakes role?
The scenarios on set were inherently tense and frightening, so rather than over-calculating my performance, I worked off the immediate atmosphere and the energy of my co-stars. Kwon Se-jeong is a remarkably centered character—she is a leader who holds the group together amidst absolute chaos. I focused on embodying that grounded, composed strength even during the most suspenseful moments.
Above A still from the sci-fi horror film ‘The Colony’ (Image: IMDB)
A still from the sci-fi horror film ‘The Colony’ (Image: IMDB)
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How did you guide Gianna to convey that deep tension, particularly in intimate close-ups?
Gianna possesses an extraordinary ability to maintain intense focus on set. One of the most remarkable moments occurred while filming a scene involving profound personal loss. She suppressed her raw grief just enough to keep a lid on her emotions, yet allowed an incredible depth of feeling to permeate her performance. Watching her bring Kwon Se-jeong to life exceeded every expectation I had.
Gianna, you mentioned previously that long episodic television shoots can be exhausting. How did working on a two-hour feature film shift your perspective on storytelling?
Right from the first day of shooting, we were immediately surrounded by zombies, and the narrative unfolded at a much faster, more urgent pace. That pace creates a different kind of responsibility. Unlike television, where audiences simply press a button on a remote control, moviegoers actively purchase a ticket and physically enter a theater. Recognising that effort makes me feel a great sense of duty to deliver a rich, memorable experience that truly honours the magic of the big screen.
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
