TRAIN TO BUSAN
The difference between American and Korean zombie movies is the mindset of the characters. In American movies, everything is a free-for-all, and every man is for himself. Sure, you’ll find the occasional hero, but most people have their own welfare in mind. In Train to Busan, you can really see the differences in communities. When a member of the young baseball team is bitten, the rest of the team doesn’t run away—they come together. However, this sense of community is broken at first by the father in the story; his job comes before his daughter, Soo-an. Soo-an only wants to go see her mom in Busan. Family is important to her, and she tells her dad that he is selfish.
The father tries to tell her she does not have to be a good person and should look out for herself, but Soo-an disagrees.
The news anchor on TV urges everyone to stick together and trust their government, something that an American movie would probably see, but nobody would actually do. The government is the first entity to rouse suspicion in a zombie movie, and for good reason.
There’s a business man in Train to Busan who has no sense of citizenship at all and pushes others in the path of the zombies to save himself. He reminds me of most American heroes in the zombie movies, just out for himself.
There’s even teamwork in Train to Busan when a few passengers band together to lock the train station doors against the zombie horde. They are strongly contested by the business man who can’t cooperate with anyone. Again, that kind of unity is typically lacking in the usual American zombie movies where people kill each other just as often as the living dead.
The man I call Captain Korea, the husband to the pregnant woman, is the best example of leadership and teamwork. He is inclusive to all party members and always acts for the greater good. One of the baseball team members has a crisis of conscience with his bravery versus his fear, and he too acts for the greater good, trying to make sure everyone is safe.
Captain Korea gives a speech to the father and the baseball player about his teamwork—something not often seen in American zombie cinema. Even the bus seats boast communication and community, as several are facing each other rather than away like in America.
When the zombies start to reach critical mass on the train, the selfish businessman blocks Captain Korea and his crew from entering the cabin, which to me is a very American move. He doesn’t want to get infected so he starts a rumor that Captain Korea and the father have the virus. Captain Korea then sacrifices himself for the pregnant wife, the businessman, Soo-an, and the baseball player. His sacrifice is a very Korean move. We usually only see one person sacrificing themselves in zombie movies, but Train to Busan has a whole cast of characters that are connected to each other and want to help each other, each making sacrifices for the greater good rather than themselves.
Director Yeon Sang-ho masterfully builds tension throughout the film, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The claustrophobic setting of the train, coupled with the relentless pursuit of the undead, creates a palpable sense of dread and urgency. The director employs tight editing, dynamic camerawork, and expertly choreographed action sequences to maintain a breakneck pace while allowing for moments of quiet introspection that genuinely set the movie apart from virtually all other zombie movies.
Coupled with themes of filial piety, community solidarity, and the importance of the collective beyond the individual allow the vibrancy of traditional Korean values to shine through. Train to Busan transcends the confines of its (usually B-rate gorefest) genre to deliver a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. With its sharp social commentary, well-drawn characters, gripping tension, and stunning visuals, the film stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in exploring the human condition, even in the face of a zombie apocalypse.
This article was written by Kristi Buckel. Check out her awesome horror, and check back soon for updates on her upcoming novels!
