Train to Busan ten years on: zombie thriller that propelled the rise of Korean cinema

The zombie thriller Train to Busan is returning to theaters in a new four K restoration to mark its tenth anniversary. As The Conversation tells it, the film served as a pivotal bridge that helped move South Korean cinema from the film festival circuit into the global mass market. Beyond the action, the story used the zombie genre to critique institutional failure and social selfishness, reflecting public discontent in South Korea following the Sewol ferry disaster. This blend of local social commentary and universal appeal paved the way for later international hits like Parasite and Squid Game.

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