#Alive (#살아있다 in Korean, pronounced “Salaissda,” meaning “live”) is a 2020 Korean movie following a laid back gamer is homebound with no food, no weapons, and zombies knocking at the door in this spirited Korean twist on siege movies. This horror movie has obvious parallels to the struggles with isolation faced by so many during the COVID-19 quarantine, and it shows just how vunerable we all would be trapped in our own homes with no way out, under siege by the dead.
“Citizens must stay home and avoid going out.” Sound familiar?
Though it sure sounds like one, this isn’t a coronavirus stay-at-home order. Instead, it’s a prophetic line from the film. This zombie blockbuster first hit South Korean theaters on June 24, 2020 while other countries were struggling with COVID-19, but wrapped production in 2019.
It stars Yoo Ah In from (Six Flying Dragons, and Chicago Typewriter) as the protagonist. His world changes when an unexplained disease starts spreading. Of course, it’s the zombie apocalypse, and he watches from his apartment as survivors escape or are eaten. With little food and no knowledge of if his family is safe (his mother and sister were going grocery shopping that morning), he attempts to survive as long as possible.
Over the film’s next 30 minutes consist mostly of Joon-woo trying to stay safe and sane amidst self-isolation. He games, he watches livestreams, he flies his drone, and he occasionally spots scenes of zombie destruction on the streets below. However, after the internet cuts out and food runs low, Joon-woo begins to lose hope.
Eventually, he tries to hang himself, giving up hope, only to have Park Shin Hye’s character (found in dramas such as You’re The Beautiful, The Heirs, and The Doctors and movies such as Cyrano Agency, Miracle in Cell No. 7, and The Royal Tailor) signal to him to stop. He then fixates on seeing her, the first human he’s seen in days.
The two begin to communicate by projecting words on smart device screens and—in spite of social distance—become allies in a quest for survival. Watch out! The ending is twisty and gnarly.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Culturedemandsgeeks loves to enjoy apocalyptic movies, and the best are those where the characters are forced to be have courage, think fast, and fight for something bigger than themselves… It is pleasantly well-made horror movie that once again comes out of the Korean market for gore. We see how two different personalities handle the threats and shows genius with just a few household items. Fans of Train to Busan and Cargo will enjoy #Alive.
4/5 STARS