On May 16 (local time) afternoon, Koo Kyo Hwan held an interview about the film ‘The Swarm’ (directed by Yeon Sang Ho) at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, sharing stories related to the work. ‘The Swarm’ was invited to the 79th Cannes International Film Festival’s Midnight Screening section and met audiences at the Lumière Grand Theatre through its official screening on May 15.
‘The Swarm’ is a film where isolated survivors inside a building, sealed off due to an unknown infection outbreak, fight against infected individuals who evolve in unpredictable ways. Director Yeon Sang Ho, a ‘Cannes regular,’ was invited to the Cannes Film Festival for the fourth time, starting with his first feature animation ‘The King of Pigs’ (2012, Directors’ Fortnight), followed by ‘Train to Busan’ (2016, Midnight Screening section), and ‘Peninsula’ (2020, Official Selection). Director Yeon Sang Ho, who has left a strong impression on the global film industry with his unique variations of the Korean zombie genre, once again showcased the power of the ‘father of K-zombies’ through ‘The Swarm’.
In the film, Koo Kyo Hwan plays Seo Young Chul, a biologist who caused the infection outbreak, showcasing a new villainous side never seen before.
When asked about his feelings on his first entry into Cannes, Koo Kyo Hwan said, “I was nervous because it was the first screening, but when I saw applause starting from the lead film, I thought, ‘This is a festival, let’s just enjoy it.’ Everyone was so supportive and welcoming, and receiving applause completely eased my tension. I watched the film with a mindset of enjoying it. Coming to Cannes, I feel like I’ve become even closer to the film ‘The Swarm’.”
Koo Kyo Hwan proudly confirmed his status as a ‘Yeon-niverse’ member, having worked on four projects with Director Yeon Sang Ho, including ‘Peninsula,’ ‘Monstrous,’ ‘Parasyte: The Grey,’ and now ‘The Swarm.’ He is one of the most prolific actors in the ‘Yeon-niverse.’ Sharing stories about his multiple collaborations with Director Yeon Sang Ho, Koo Kyo Hwan chuckled, saying, “If we had acted too familiarly, the director wouldn’t have cast us, and we wouldn’t have felt anything for this work. The director is the same, but it’s always different characters and different situations, so it always feels new.” He added, “It’s like a 50th first kiss?” Koo Kyo Hwan also stated, “Before acting, knowing that the director will explain things clearly and having an idea of how he will proceed on set, I think that level of familiarity is an advantage. Even after several projects together, I still wonder, ‘How will it be different this time?'”
Koo Kyo Hwan also expressed his affection, saying, “Working with Director Yeon Sang Ho brings me peace of mind. While accurate storyboards and on-time wrap-ups are great, what I like most is that the director has a stronger grasp of the script than anyone else. This allows him to be flexible and update the filming in real-time with the actors. Our filming also evolves in real-time.”
Meanwhile, ‘The Swarm,’ which was first unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival, is set to premiere domestically on May 21.
