In the past, single-screen theaters did not have assigned seating. As long as viewers had tickets, they could sit wherever they liked. This sometimes led to more tickets being sold than available seats, forcing some audience members to stand during the film.
On that day, a viewer, referred to as A, arrived at the theater a bit late. Unable to find an empty seat, she had no choice but to stand at the back to watch the movie. As time passed, she began to feel nauseous and dizzy, but she managed to watch the film until the end. The title of the movie she watched was 'Interview with the Vampire.'
A was not the only one standing to watch the film. The theater was packed with middle and high school girls (currently, the film is rated 'not suitable for minors,' but it was released in South Korea with a rating allowing viewers aged 17 and older after about three minutes of cuts). The reason so many girls flocked to the theater, enduring the discomfort, was undoubtedly the actors.
At the time of filming 'Interview with the Vampire,' Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt were 32 and 31 years old, respectively. If you were to name the most handsome male actors on Earth, they would undoubtedly be among the top five. It was harder to avoid watching this film than to see it.
The Western classic character of the 'vampire' has consistently captured the audience's love for a long time. Several traits assigned to vampires make this character appealing.
When infected by a vampire, a person transforms into someone with pale skin, becoming as attractive as possible. They gain extraordinary physical strength and rapid healing abilities, making them virtually invulnerable.
Above all, the greatest allure is that they do not age and achieve immortality in that state. Living for hundreds or thousands of years naturally endows them with wisdom. Vampires are not only beautiful but also cultured and elegant, possessing a seductive charm that captivates their prey.
However, vampires are depicted as both alluring and terrifying. Their primary diet consists solely of animal blood, and to survive, they must kill. Among the various blood types, human blood is the most effective for maintaining a vampire's beauty and health, making murder unavoidable from their perspective. Thus, vampires often appear as villains, embodiments of evil, or hostile creatures in horror films.
With a tragic identity as a villain, this captivating character is irresistible to content creators. Originating from Romania, the 'vampire' has finally made its way to Northeast Asia, including South Korea.
The first known appearance of a vampire in South Korea was in the 1982 film 'Dracula in a Coffin.' Although vampires have appeared in various dramas and films since then, the most memorable portrayal for the Korean public likely began with Park Chan-wook's 'Thirst.'
'Thirst' can be summarized as the story of Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a devout priest who, unable to bear witnessing patients dying from an unknown disease, voluntarily participates in a vaccine experiment to cure the illness. After being infected by a virus and on the brink of death, he receives a blood transfusion and becomes a vampire.
The reality of a vampire, once portrayed by Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt, now taking the form of Song Kang-ho may be disappointing for some former fans, but the vampire narrative depicted in South Korea is anything but soft.
'Thirst' is a 2009 film by Park Chan-wook. Song Kang-ho, who has played various roles from a somewhat inept father ('The Host') to a gangster ('The Elegant World') and a quirky conman ('The Good, the Bad, the Weird'), delivers his most seductive performance in 'Thirst.'
Park Chan-wook himself stated at the film's release, 'I don't know if it will be a masterpiece, but at least it's the best among the films I've made,' and it is often regarded as one of his finest works by audiences and critics alike.
Sang-hyun: 'If a priest does this, the sin is even greater.'
Tae-ju: 'I don't have faith, so I won't go to hell.'
The irony of a vampire originating from a priest adds depth to Sang-hyun's unleashed desires. While watching the film, one might speculate that Park Chan-wook has long grappled with the conflict between his inner 'model student' and 'vampire' desires.
This conflict comes to a head in 'Thirst,' where the 'model student' Sang-hyun receives a vampire's blood transfusion and focuses his newly revealed desires on Tae-ju (Kim Ok-bin). As Sang-hyun's desires blossom alongside Tae-ju's, the 'Park Chan-wook style' shines brightly throughout the film.
Thus, the vampire that emerged in South Korea serves as a means to articulate the personal narratives of individuals, ultimately being consumed under the sun in 'Thirst.' This innovative approach earned praise from the Cannes jury, who awarded it the Jury Prize.
Following 'Thirst,' another noteworthy use of vampires can be seen in the upcoming Disney+ series 'Enchanting,' set to be released at the end of this year. Coincidentally, another vampire-themed film is set to begin shooting in the second half of this year: 'Vampire,' directed by Jang Jae-hyun, who is dedicated to Korean-style occult themes.
'Enchanting' is a vampire period drama produced with a budget exceeding 40 billion won, featuring director Han Jae-rim and cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo. It raises the question of whether such a large-scale vampire project has ever existed in Korea. 'Enchanting' is based on a webtoon of the same name, and it will be interesting to see how the relatively short narrative of a timeless romance between humans and vampires is adapted into a lengthy series, particularly how Han Jae-rim utilizes the vampire theme.
Jang Jae-hyun's approach to vampires, focusing on Korean-style occult themes, also sparks extreme curiosity. Just looking at the characters, including vampire hunters, taboo-breaking clergy, and immortality-seeking cultists, makes one eager to see what stories will unfold.
While the allure of beautiful vampires is appealing, if the clever use of Korean-style vampires can invigorate the genre, it would be a remarkable achievement. I eagerly await captivating works that can mesmerize audiences, even if it means standing through the film.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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