‘Spring Garden,’ the directorial debut of Ku Born, producer of the blockbuster Korean film “The Medium,” has been generating buzz in Korea for its fresh take on one of the country’s top three haunted houses.
Now showing in Philippine cinemas, the film features two acclaimed actresses: Jo Yoon-hee, 2016 KBS Best Actress in a Serial Drama, and Kim Joo-ryoung, who won Best Actor at the Asia Artist Awards for her role in the global phenomenon Squid Game.
So-hee (Jo Yoon-hee) moves to Spring Garden, a rural mansion she inherited following her husband’s sudden death, despite her sister Hye-ran’s advice not to go and live there. Hye-ran (Kim Joo-ryoung) worries about So-hee because also just had a miscarriage.
Living alone in the house, So-hee begins to have unbelievable creepy experiences. When Hye-ran and her husband and children come to visit her, the kids also start saying strange things about the house. Ever the protective sister, Hye-ran tries to uncover the truth behind the Spring Garden. Will they be able to get out when the truth comes out?
Director Ku Born stated that even if creepy things happen in the house, he required that it should look realistic and natural. “I told the art director that I don’t want the house to be grotesque just because it’s a horror film,” he said.
Ku Born also revealed that some of the props they used are real. A strange shrine was revealed in the movie trailer, and this was inspired by the actual shrine they had found. Director Ku stated, “there was a shrine in an abandoned apartment. We used the items that were found there as props.”
Prior to making this film, he also did a lot of research. He commented, “I’ve interviewed a lot of famous shamans in Korea. The things they told me are still echoing in my head.”
Spring Garden is a Korean horror film that explores Korean societal problems as well as the rumors that a mysterious woman keeps appearing at the abandoned meat restaurant Spring Garden. Its realistic themes include school bullying, conflict with the in-laws, and the idea of homes.
The movies that have been made about the two other haunted houses in Korea (Gonjiam Haunted Asylum and The Ghost Station) turned out to be box office hits. “Spring Garden”, with its star power and realistic storyline will surely be appreciated by Filipino moviegoers.
Watch the Korean horror film Spring Garden, a haunting tale of family, dark secrets, and survival, now showing in cinemas nationwide.
TATAK MNL 
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