Hope film becomes most expensive production in South Korean history

Director Na Hong-jin has released ‘Hope’, the most expensive film in South Korean cinematic history, with a budget of approximately 100 billion won (roughly $74 million). The science fiction action thriller follows the residents of Hope, a remote village near the North Korean border, as they face a violent onslaught from mysterious, otherworldly entities.

The film features an international cast, including South Korean stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Hoyeon, alongside Hollywood actors Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton.

Critical reception describes the film as a high-octane, genre-bending spectacle that blends survival horror with social satire. While some viewers have noted its chaotic tonal shifts and unconventional narrative structure, others have highlighted its ambitious scale and relentless momentum.