Director Yeon Sang-ho Unveils New Species in Upcoming Film 'The Hive'

Director Yeon Sang-ho's latest film 'The Hive' has released new stills showcasing a new species.

Set in a building sealed off due to a mysterious infection outbreak, 'The Hive' follows isolated survivors as they face off against infected individuals evolving in unpredictable ways. The newly released stills reveal the birth of a never-before-seen type of zombie.

In 'The Hive', the infected are not just driven by a primal urge to bite; they exchange information and evolve, promising a new level of horror. The chilling image of infected individuals sharing information with mouths agape and heads tilted leaves a strong impression. Additionally, the sight of blood-soaked infected individuals charging forward conveys a sense of speed and imminent danger. Most strikingly, the infected, gathered in bizarre postures and staring in one direction, create an unprecedented visual that instantly imprints 'The Hive's' intense imagery.

Another still captures an infected individual rising with twisted ankles, depicting the evolutionary moment from crawling on all fours to standing on two legs, vividly differentiating from traditional zombies. The silhouettes of infected individuals seen through a slime-covered glass door create an eerie atmosphere, raising curiosity about the nature of the slime. As director Yeon Sang-ho states, "The greatest fear in 'The Hive' is the increasing difficulty in predicting how the infected will change," sparking curiosity about how these unpredictably evolving infected will threaten the survivors.

Furthermore, the image of infected individuals climbing over each other to form a living wall fills the space with overwhelming intimidation. Choreographer Jeon Young, who oversaw the movements of the infected in 'The Hive', notes, "The collaborative movements of the infected, sharing thoughts, are truly bizarre. It will be a scene unlike anything seen anywhere in the world," heightening anticipation for the completely new zombie movements to be revealed in 'The Hive'. With the birth of a new species, 'The Hive' is set to showcase the evolution of the zombie genre, offering a fresh shock to audiences worldwide.

'The Hive' is scheduled for theatrical release on May 21, 2026.

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr