Train to Busan - Are the Zombies Even the Worst Thing in the Apocalypse?

09/18/23 • 118 min

Episode 5: Train To Busan

Release Date: 2016

In this week’s episode, we head over to South Korea to discuss one of our all-time favorite films - Train to Busan. This movie was released in 2016 - the first live-action film of director Yeon Sang Ho. It stars Gong Yoo, Ma Dong Seok, and Jung Yu Mi - all well-known stars - and was commercially successful as well as critically acclaimed. Train to Busan is hailed as one of the best zombie apocalypse movies of all time. Whilst the main theme is survival, it manages to weave in political and social commentary - a rarity for the horror genre.

Minal doesn’t watch zombie or horror films and only Korean zombie shows and films have got her hooked to this genre. Benny came as a guest on a Kdrama podcast that Minal co-hosts and raved about the Kingdom K-drama and Train to Busan; and only after his praises did Minal decide to watch the show and the movie. Both the drama and this movie sit on top of Minal’s all-time favorite shows and movies. To know more about why both the hosts here loved this movie - tune in to the episode to find out!

Synopsis (From AsianWiki): Seok-Woo (Gong Yoo) is a fund manager in Seoul. He is separated from his wife and lives with his daughter Soo-An (Kim Soo-Ahn). Seok-Woo doesn't spend much time with his daughter or show affection to her. On the night before Soo-An's birthday, Soo-An insists on seeing her mother for her birthday. Seok-Woo has no other choice, but to take her to Busan. Early the next morning, they board the KTX train for Busan at Seoul Station. Before the KTX train leaves Seoul Station, a zombie-like girl jumps onto the train. The girl is infected with a horrific virus that is spreading like wildfire. Seok-Woo, Soo-An, and the other passengers on the KTX train must now fight for their lives.

IMDB Link: Train to Busan

Where to Watch: Prime Video - Rent/Buy

Articles/Interviews:

Trivia: IMDB Trivia

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License code: MIE1N7HAVI6KJOSG

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Episode 5: Train To Busan

Release Date: 2016

IMDB Link: Train to Busan

Where to Watch: Prime Video - Rent/Buy

Articles/Interviews:

Trivia: IMDB Trivia

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/the-parade

License code: MIE1N7HAVI6KJOSG

Contact Us:

Leave us a review or rating on the podcast app!

Previous Episode

Nayakan - Are you a good man or a bad man?

Episode 4: Nayakan

Release Date: 1987

This episode features one of the ‘cult classics’ of Indian cinema from one of the largest regional film industries in the country - the Tamil Film industry called Kollywood - (based out of the Kodambakkam neighborhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu).

Nayakan is a crime drama, written and directed by Mani Ratnam. Mani Ratnam today is heralded as one of the finest film directors in India. The film stars the great Kamal Haasan - one of the biggest superstars and finest actors in India, with support from Saranya (in her feature debut), Janagaraj, Delhi Ganesh, Nizhalgal Ravi, and Nassar. The story is loosely based on the life of the Bombay underworld Don Varadarajan Mudaliar and the American film The Godfather (1972). The movie became a critical and commercial success and won national awards for Kamal Haasan as best actor, PC Sreeram for best cinematography, and Thota Tharani for best art direction. It was India's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 60th Academy Awards, and was included in Time's list of the "All-Time 100 Best Films".

This is Benny’s all-time favorite movie. Minal watched this movie much later after its release as a teenager when regional films were telecast on the national channel on Sunday afternoons. 36 years down the line when they both sat down to discuss Nayakan - did they still stay in awe of this film and did it stand the test of time? Tune in to the episode to find out.

Synopsis:

A common man's struggle against a corrupt police force puts him on the wrong side of the law. He becomes a don, who is loved and respected by many, but his growing power and influence come at a heavy price. Specifically, it is the story of Velu Naicker, who transforms from an ordinary slum dweller to a feared don, and how his actions impact his loved ones.

IMDB Link: Nayakan

Where to Watch: YouTube

Articles/Interviews:

Kamal Haasan on Nayakan - 25 years later
Two scenes in Nayakaan - Where music tells the story.
Mani Ratnam Interview - 35 years later

Trivia

60 lesser-known facts

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/the-parade

License code: MIE1N7HAVI6KJOSG

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Next Episode

The Departed - Cops or Robbers?

Episode 6: The Departed

Release Date: 2006

In this week’s episode, we discuss one of our favorite Martin Scorsese films - the only film that won him his first and to date only Oscar - The 2006 multi-starrer, the mobster crime drama - The Departed.

The Departed is a remake of the HK film Infernal Affairs with an all-star cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin; Vera Farmiga plays the love interest of both Damon and DiCaprio’s characters. The Departed was a critical and commercial success, receiving acclaim for its direction, performances, screenplay, and editing. It won several accolades, including four Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards: for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.

We both watched it in the theatres when it was released and 17 years on when we rewatched it for this podcast, we still rated it high on entertainment but we did find a few loopholes in the script - however, the acting by Leo & Matt still remains the highlight of the movie along with the shocking deaths of the main characters. We did conclude that Scorsese loved Wahlberg or his character Digman over the rest of the cast - tune into the episode to find out why!

Synopsis: South Boston cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes undercover to infiltrate the organization of gangland chief Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). As Billy gains the mobster's trust and climbs up the ranks, Frank implants his mole Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) to infiltrate the police department and report its activities to him. When both organizations learn they have a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin must figure out each other's identities to save their own lives.

IMDB Link: The Departed

Where to Watch: Prime Video - Rent/Buy

Best scenes:

Trivia: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Trivia/TheDeparted

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/the-parade

License code: MIE1N7HAVI6KJOSG

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