Jun Ji-hyun and Yeon Sang-ho Discuss 'Colony', K-Zombies, and Real Car Stunts

Director Yeon Sang-ho's zombie film 'Colony' premiered at Cannes in May, screened at the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) in July, and hit North American theaters on August 28. The film marks Jun Ji-hyun's first big-screen role in 11 years. Jun plays Kwon Se-jeong, an unemployed science professor trapped in a high-rise during a zombie outbreak. The cast includes Ji Chang-wook, Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Hyun-been, Go Soo, and Kim Shin-rock. In an interview, Yeon revealed the film was inspired by discussions about herd mentality after 'Hellbound' Season 2, and that the sequel might be a video game developed with Smilegate, the company behind 'Crossfire'. Jun chose the role because of Yeon's script, which she felt was exactly the kind of movie she'd want to see. Yeon praised Jun's action skills, noting they had to tone them down for her professor character. The car stunt sequence was filmed without green screens, with Jun inside a car controlled by a stunt driver, and stunt performers were actually hit by the decelerating car. The zombies' movements were choreographed by avant-garde contemporary dance groups. Yeon explained that Go Soo's early death was meant to create surprise, and the ending with two female survivors highlights solidarity versus collective mentality. Jun's most memorable scene was the ant-mill sequence.