The Host

From the polluted edge of Seoul's Han River a monstrous creature surfaces, dragging a teenage girl into the depths and triggering a citywide scramble. Park Gang-du, a laid back snack stand operator, finds himself torn between panic and stubborn hope to save someone he loves. His father Park Hie-bong, his brother Park Nam-il, and sister Park Nam-joo rally around the effort, while younger sibling Park Hyun-seo asks blunt questions about the threat and courage. Officials debate containment as the city reels, media crews swarm, and ordinary people react with fear, anger, humor, and small acts of kindness. The hunt tests loyalties and pushes the family to confront what really matters.

Directed by Bong Joon-ho from a script by Baek Chul-hyun and Joo Byeol, The Host was released in 2006 by CJ Entertainment, blending monster spectacle with scathing social observation and a strong family focus.

The film earned $88,489,643 worldwide on an $11 million budget, a standout success for Korean genre cinema that helped bring international attention to Bong Joon-ho and his distinctive blend of humor, horror, and social critique.

Its striking creature design and brisk tonal shifts made it a touchstone for fans of international horror, while its scenes of a messy but loving family navigating danger resonated beyond the genre. It sparked conversations about pollution and civic response.

Critics praised the movie for balancing scares with genuine empathy and social satire, highlighting themes of family loyalty, bureaucratic bungling, and environmental responsibility. The Host remains a landmark for Korean cinema, a genre hybrid that traveled far and continues to resonate worldwide.