Have you ever wondered if your family has secrets? This September 2025, the new Korean film “The Ugly” (얼굴) invites you into a haunting story of pain, loss, and long-buried truth. Let’s find out more about this thrilling mystery and why it should be on your watchlist.
“The Ugly” (얼굴) Korean Film 2025
Director Yeon Sang-ho, known for his brilliant works “Train to Busan” and “Hellbound,” wrote the script and directed the new thrilling mystery “The Ugly.” Known for blending social issues with intense storytelling, Yeon shifts gears in this film to uncover a quiet but powerful mystery. His movie invites you to look deeper than the surface and see the scars people carry inside.
A Story of Silence and Secrets
The gripping story follows Im Dong-hwan. He is the son of Im Yeong-gyu, a blind and gifted artisan famous for hand-carved seal engravings.
One day, Dong-hwan learns that his mother’s skeletal remains, missing for 40 years, have been found. This discovery forces him to confront a painful past that no one wants to talk about, a past filled with cruelty based on appearance and silence that echoes through generations.
Dong-hwan’s search begins with confusion. His relatives avoid his questions, no one shares photos of his mother, and the only thing they say is that she was “ugly.”
The story explores what it means to live in a society that judges people by their faces. Dong-hwan must peel back layers of denial and cruelty to learn the truth about his mother—and himself.
This film isn’t just a mystery. It’s a reflection on how society treats those who don’t fit its standards of beauty, pushing them to the edges. The film reveals how deep such judgment can wound a person and their family.
“The Ugly” Cast
- Park Jeong-min as Im Dong-hwan and, in flashbacks, as his father Im Yeong-gyu.
- Kwon Hae-hyo as the blind artisan Im Yeong-gyu.
- Shin Hyun-been plays Jung Young-hee, Dong-hwan’s mother, whose tragic story is central.
- Im Seong-jae as Baek Su-jang, and
- Han Ji-hyun as PD Kim Su-jin, who was filming a documentary about Dong-hwan’s father, Im Yeong-gyu.
Each actor brings a sensitive and powerful performance that draws you into this complex family drama. Their work shows you a raw and human side of Korea’s rapid growth era and its impact on ordinary people.
Why You Should Watch “The Ugly”
If you love Korean films that balance emotional heart with thought-provoking themes, “The Ugly” is made for you.
Yeon Sang-ho’s direction digs through grief and memory in a way few thrillers attempt. It’s a slow-burning journey with moments that will stay with you.
The film also challenges you to think about how we treat those who seem different. It asks tough questions about love, acceptance, and truth. The performances and story will make you feel and reflect long after the screen fades to black.
When and Where to Watch
Premiered on September 9, 2025, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in a special presentation, the new Korean film “The Ugly” will hit theaters across South Korea on September 11, 2025.
If you enjoy festival favorites and emotionally charged films, keep an eye out for its release near you.
Final Thoughts
Have you ever wondered how many family stories remain untold? “The Ugly” might change the way you view the faces around you, and the hidden stories behind them. Ready to uncover the truth with Im Dong-hwan? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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