Korean zombie film fans criticise ‘another brain-dead US remake’

‘Watch “Train to Busan” – it is a masterpiece and does not need to be remade into another language’

AN AMERICAN remake of the South Korean zombie film Train to Busan, which will be named Last Train to New York, has provoked ridicule among fans of the original.

The 2016 film, directed by Yeon Sangho, follows train passengers trying to survive a zombie apocalypse while travelling from the capital, Seoul, to the southern port of Busan.

It won multiple awards and pulled in £73million globally at the box office. Given its success, fans have questioned why an English version set in the US is necessary, expressing their frustration on social media.

Cedarbough Saeji, an assistant professor of Korean and East Asian studies at Busan National University, said the US would undoubtedly ruin the film.

“The Western media has remade some really amazing Korean movies and dramas, and not one of them has been any good. Instead of just getting past the subtitles, here they go again taking a movie that’s basically perfect – including casting – and remaking it,” she said.

“Watch Train to Busan – it’s a masterpiece and does not need to be remade in another language to be enjoyed,” said one social media user among a flood of similar negative comments.

One of the most well-known Hollywood adaptations of an Asian classic is the 2002 version of The Ring, starring Naomi Watts as a journalist who investigates a cursed videotape.

It was a remake of Hideo Nakata’s 1998 Japanese horror movie, which also had a Korean version.

Familiar Hollywood plots have also inspired India’s Bollywood film industry, including The Italian Job, which was remade as Players.

South Korea projects “soft power” through the global popularity of its culture and entertainment industry referred to as Korean wave.

K-pop, its catchy chart music, has been a global powerhouse, while last year the South Korean film Parasite

became the first foreign language movie to win an Osscar for Best Picture. More recently, Squid Game, a dystopian show highlighting societal inequalities, became the most-watched series to date on Netflix.

However, many others have welcomed the remake of Train to Busan.

Although the cast remains unknown, Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto and Australian producer James Wan are in line to make it.

One comment on social media read: “I honestly cannot wait to see what you two cook up. And this is coming from someone who adores the original.”