In '#Alive,' two survivors struggle to escape zombie-hit homes

Actors Yoo Ah-in, right, and Park Shin-hye pose for a photo during a press conference for the film “#Alive” held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance Branch in Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Actors Yoo Ah-in and Park Shin-hye are set to play two contrasting characters who struggle to survive and escape a zombie-hit apartment complex in the survival thriller “#Alive.”

Based on the 2019 U.S. zombie horror film “Alone,” the story follows two protagonists isolated in their apartments as a zombie apocalypse erupts outside.

Yoo Ah-in plays Joon-woo, a game streamer and electronics geek, while Park Shin-hye plays Yu-bin, an individualist who likes hiking. The two very different characters employ their own methods and team up for survival when all contact with the outside world is cut off.

“Joon-woo is a boy-next-door type of character who many people will be able to relate to. He's an ordinary and friendly guy who has comical undertones,” Yoo said during a press conference for the film held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance Branch, Monday.

Yoo shared he used post-apocalyptic zombie comedy horror film “Zombieland” as a reference to highlight the comical aspects of his character.

“Yu-bin is a private and organized person. She uses climbing tools, such as rope and ice-ax, and calculates daily water intake for survival,” Park said.

Director Cho Il-hyung explained that the film title was changed from “#Alone” to “#Alive” because the protagonists are not alone in the film.

“The original version of Matt Naylor's script focuses on people surviving alone, but our film focuses on the relationship of two characters and how they come together to escape the disaster situation together,” Cho said through a video message. “I think the word 'alive' better reflects the overall theme of the film.”

The director was unable to attend the press conference because he is in quarantine in the U.S. where he is visiting his family.

In contrast to other zombie horror films that usually explain the cause or the beginning of how infected people turn into zombies, “#Alive” focuses on survivors' mission to escape the apocalypse.

“We made the film focusing on how the audience might be in the same situation as the film's protagonists. We wanted them to think about what being alive means and what it feels to have someone around you to go through hardships together,” Cho said.

The director expected the audience to display their interest in the distinct setting and architecture of Korean apartment complexes. “The corridors and apartment structures will be interesting to watch because two protagonists make good use of them for their escape scheme,” Cho said.

Yoo said that he has come to think about what being “alive” means in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We think about what being 'alive' means now more than anytime. This film is about survival, isolation, desire to get back to normal and, most of all, feeling alive,” he said. “I hope the audience will take away the feeling of 'being alive' with this film.”

“#Alive” will hit local theaters, June 24.