Yoo Hae-jin, Im Si-wan, Kim So-hyun unite for occult mystery 'Modub'

Yoo Hae-jin is returning to the occult genre with his second film in the category, following Exhuma (2024). The new project is titled Modub.

Distributor Showbox said the film has completed casting and will begin full-scale production on Friday.

Modub is an occult mystery set in the 1960s on a remote, long-abandoned island, where the lives of its characters become entangled like an unsolvable knot — "modub" being the Korean word for knot. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Park Jong-hyun, who previously served on the production teams of Broker (2022) and A Normal Family (2024). Kang Yoon-sung, director of The Outlaws (2017), is on board as producer.

The film draws attention for its fresh ensemble cast, led by Yoo Hae-jin and joined by Im Si-wan, Kim So-hyun and Lee Mu-saeng.

Yoo Hae-jin plays Ido, the village head of a fishing community who keeps a wary eye on the remote island and sits at the center of the film's events. "We're starting production together as September turns cooler," Yoo said. "I hope we can wrap filming safely, and I'll give it everything I have to make this a great film."

Im Si-wan plays Sanggun, Ido's son, forming a father-and-son dynamic with Yoo. The character is single-minded once he sets his sights on something, and it is a request from Seonok that leads him to set off for the remote island against his father's wishes.

Kim So-hyun returns to the big screen for the first time in 10 years through the role of Seonok — her first foray into the occult genre. Seonok heads to the remote island seeking treatment for an illness with no known cause, drawing Ido and Sanggun into a series of unpredictable events.

Lee Mu-saeng plays Gutaek, Seonok's father. Clinging to a last hope of saving his daughter from her mysterious affliction, Gutaek makes his way to the island — and is the figure who sets all the events in motion.

Director Park said he was "thrilled and excited to be making my first feature with such talented actors and a dependable crew." He added: "Above all, I hope everyone can get through filming safely and without incident. I look forward to working with you all."