Biography: Yim Pil-sung

Yim Pil-sung, born on 13th May 1972, is a movie director and screenwriter from South Korea. Among the films he wrote and directed are “Antarctic Journal(2005), Hansel and Gretel(2007), and Scarlet Innocence (2014).” He influenced people from South Korea and other countries worldwide throughout his career.

“Souvenir” marked Yim Pil-directorial sung’s debut. His film “Brushing (1998)” was accepted into the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. The film revolves around an overweight adolescent boy who is alone at home with his elderly grandfather. “Baby(1999),” directed by Yim, premiered at the “Venice Film Festival” and the “International Film Festival of Karlovy Vary.”

Yim Pil-sung initiated his career, at the age of 24, as a movie director in 1996. Soon he rose to prominence in the entertainment industry in a short period. He debuted in 2005 with a feature film, “Antarctic Journal.” Six South Korean explorers are the focus of the film. Their expedition aims to explore the remote areas of the South Pole. Unfortunate deaths occur as the human psyche preys on itself in the chilly and dreary terrain. The big-budget “Antarctic Journal,” shot in New Zealand, featured Song Kang-ho and Yoo Ji-Tae in lead roles. At the “38th Sitges Film Festival,” the movie won the “Best Feature Film” award in the “Orient Express-Casa Asia division.” Later, Yim played a white-collar worker in Bong Joon-monster ho’s film “The Host (2006).” He betrays his college mate in the supporting role. He promised to star in the “Antarctic Journal” in exchange for Bong’s co-writing the screenplay for the film.

Yim established himself as a renowned filmmaker. He dives into the depths of horror and fantasy with his second directorial feature. In his “Hansel and Gretel (2007),” a young man, “Chun Jung-Myung,” gets lost in the woods and stumbles across a house occupied by three weird youngsters (Shim Eun-Kyung, Eun Ji-won, and Jin Ji-hee). They refuse to let him leave. At the 12th “Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (2008),” the movie “Hansel and Gretel” received a special mention. The “Special Jury Prize in the Fantasy Competition” and “Best Picture” in the “Orient Express Sidebar” were awarded to the film at the “29th Fantasporto” in 2009.

Both of Yim’s films flopped despite critical acclaim for their spectacular visuals and unexpected plot twists, leading to the lack of funds for his future projects.

Yim directed several other movies like “Persona (2019), Scarlet Innocence (2014), Doomsday Book (2012), Hansel and Gretel (2007), and Antarctic Journal (2005).” In other films, he demonstrated his acting abilities, including “Playboy Bang (2013), Behind the Camera (2013), and The Host (2006).” He also worked as a screenplay writer in “Scarlet Innocence (2014), Antarctic Journal (2005), and Hansel and Gretel (2007).” The viewers praised Yim’s versatility in his works.