The teaser poster for director Na Hong-jin’s new film HOPE has been unveiled for the first time.
Na Hong-jin returns with his first feature in eight years — Hope — following acclaimed works such as ‘The Wailing’, ‘The Chaser’ and ‘The Yellow Sea’. Set in the remote village of Hopohang near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the film begins with reports of a tiger sighting that triggers a state of emergency, only to escalate into a deeper, more terrifying mystery. Blending sci-fi, action, and thriller elements, the story explores encounters with an unknown entity, continuing Na’s signature exploration of genre tension, grounded horror, and the human confrontation with the incomprehensible.
The ensemble cast promises global appeal, with South Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon joined by Taylor Russell, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender, creating a high-profile international collaboration. This combination signals that Hope is not merely Na Hong-jin’s next film but a large-scale co-production merging Korean filmmaking with top-tier international talent.
Adding to the anticipation is the return of cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, reuniting with Na after ‘The Wailing’. Hong, widely recognized for his commanding visual style, has shaped some of Korean cinema’s most iconic works, including ‘Mother’, ‘Snowpiercer’, ‘Burning’, ‘Parasite’, and ‘Harbin’, promising another visually striking cinematic experience.
The newly released teaser poster breaks from convention, capturing an actual frame from the film rather than a typical promotional image. The shot freezes a tense moment in the forest: a figure on horseback, racing at full speed, grabs the neck of a young man being pursued by an alien, rescuing him from imminent danger.
The behind-the-scenes effort is equally striking. To bring the scene to life, the actors underwent five months of intensive training in Korea, followed by three months of on-location pre-testing and an additional two months of adaptation at the actual shooting site.
‘Hope’ is currently in post-production and is slated for a domestic release in the summer of 2026. Even from a single teaser poster, the film has already generated buzz for its ambitious genre scope, unique production approach, and expansive world-building, setting high expectations for how Na Hong-jin will once again redefine the landscape of Korean genre cinema.
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