Official Trailer for Korean Monster Classic ‘The Host’ 4K Re-Release
by Alex Billington
October 29, 2026
Source: YouTube
“Survival is contagious.” Magnolia Pictures has revealed their brand new trailer for the 4K restoration & re-release of the Korean monster movie called The Host. This was Bong Joon-ho’s third feature at the time, debuting at Cannes 2006, and it launched him into primetime becoming a major genre hit worldwide. The film stars Song Kang-ho as food stand vendor Park Gang-du whose daughter Hyun-seo (Go Ah-sung) is kidnapped by a creature dwelling around the Han River in Seoul. Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, and Bae Doona appear in supporting roles as Gang-du’s father, brother, and sister, respectively, who help Gang-du escape quarantine against an alleged virus derived from the monster and search for his daughter. Now 20 years later the film is celebrating its 20th anniversary and Bong Joon-ho is a household name now (yes even in the US especially after Parasite) – the perfect time to give it another theatrical run. However, it’s only playing in theaters briefly for two nights this fall before it’s available on 4K UHD Blu-ray later this fall. I’m a huge fan of this movie – it totally holds up all these years later!! – and I recommend it as a way to get non-horror fans into watching more horror. Glad that it’s getting a proper 20th Anniversary re-release this year.
Here’s the new 4K restoration trailer (+ new posters) for Bong Joon-ho’s The Host, direct from YouTube:
20 years after becoming a worldwide sensation, Bong Joon Ho’s creature-feature The Host returns, newly remastered in 4K and featuring a conversation with director Bong Joon Ho & filmmaker Edgar Wright. The Host follows Gang-du (Song Kang-ho), who works at a food stand on the banks of the Han River. Dozing on the job, he is awakened by his daughter, Hyun-seo (Ko A-sung), who is angry with him for missing a teacher-parent meeting at school. The otherwise idyllic landscape suddenly descends into bedlam when a terrifying creature climbs onto the riverbank and begins crushing & devouring people. Gang-du and his daughter run for their lives, but the creature suddenly grabs Hyun-seo and disappears back into the water. The government announces that the monstrous creature is apparently the Host of an unidentified virus. Having feared the worst, Gang-du is stunned when he receives a phone call from his daughter. She is frightened—but very much alive. Determined to rescue her, Gang-du soon makes plans to infiltrate the forbidden zone at the Han River & save his daughter from the clutches of the horrifying Host.
The Host, also known as 괴물, is directed by acclaimed Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, his third film at the time after making Memories of Murder (2003) and before Mother (2009). The screenplay is written by Bong Joon Ho, Ha Joon-won, Baek Chul-hyun; from a story by Bong Joon Ho. Produced by Choi Yong-bae. Considered a co-production between South Korea & Japan, it was produced by Chungeorahm Film and presented by its South Korean distributor Showbox and the Japanese investor Happinet. It first premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and later opened in US theaters in March 2007. Magnolia re-releases Bong Joon-ho’s The Host in 4K theaters on November 21st & 23rd, 2026. For info + tix visit their official site.
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