“I try to capture the aspects of society itself”: Yeon Sang-ho on The Ugly at Florence Korea Film Fest 2026

Yeon Sang-ho, acclaimed Korean director, was a guest of honour at the Florence Korea Film Fest 2026, and The Upcoming was fortunate enough to interview him. He is a director celebrated for a career in which social criticism has become his distinctive mark. From The King of Pigs to the global phenomenon Train to Busan, his filmography consistently analyses contemporary society through compelling narratives, which have helped him achieve significant international success. Yeon Sang-ho emphasised his process of “capturing the aspects of society itself”, observing the world intensely, even through the eyes of his children, to shape his stories. This approach has always been at the core of his powerful narratives and universal themes. In our conversation with the director, we delved into his cinematic approach, his keen social observations, and his constant drive to explore new frontiers.