Director Yeon Sang-ho's new film COLONY has released a behind-the-scenes video detailing the creation of the infected.
In the video released on May 29 by distributor Showbox, the creation process of the infected—who have captivated global audiences with their unique movements and shocking appearances—is revealed, showcasing the dedication of the production crew and modern dancers who brought them to life.
Director Yeon Sang-ho explained his decision to cast modern dancers in COLONY, in addition to the action teams and supporting actors he typically used in Train to Busan and Peninsula. "Ultimately, we needed to express the exchange of information through the body," he said. "Since modern dancers are accustomed to expressing abstract concepts physically, they did an incredible job portraying the very concept of the infected being connected as one. All the movements that the audience found impressive, including the motions when they 'update,' were expressed far better than I had imagined."
The footage is striking, showing dancers preparing for filming with blood makeup all over their bodies and wearing white contact lenses, as well as the production team meticulously focusing on the details of their costumes and makeup.
The slime of the infected, which serves as a medium for exchanging information, was also created by the art department. The video offers an intriguing look at the art team applying white liquid to the infected characters' costumes and various parts of the set, transforming the Dunguri Building into the epicenter of the outbreak. Additionally, scenes of the dancers warming up together before filming hint at the extraordinary chemistry behind the organic, synchronized movements of the infected.
Choreographer Kim Su-in, who participated in the choreography for COLONY, shared, "Rather than having a bare face, putting on the contact lenses felt like a new layer was added, making me feel reborn, which was incredibly helpful." This highlights how the detailed costumes, makeup, art direction, and the dancers' movements came together to create a powerful synergy.
COLONY is currently a box office hit, surpassing 2.5 million viewers nationwide just eight days after its release.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)