- Director : Jeong Yong-ki
- Actors : Kim Bo-ra, Kim Jae-Hyun, Shin So-Yul
- Language : Korean (DTS 5.1)
- Studio : Well Go USA
- MPAA rating : NR (Not Rated)
- Number of discs : 1
- Media Format : Subtitled, Widescreen
- Run time : 1 hour and 21 minutes
- Release date : December 19, 2023
The Ghost Station fits in perfectly with
the type of supernatural horror coming from multiple Asian countries (though primarily
Japan, so common it became referred to as J-horror) at the beginning of the twenty-first
century, which only increased when Hollywood began remaking many of the more successful
films. There are even elements of The Ghost Station that feel as if they
have been lifted directly from some of the most successful of these, including a
well that plays a part in the hauntings and a curse that can be passed on, just
like The Ring. Even without these derivative elements, The Ghost
Station is still several decades too late to feel relevant.
The film feels dated
from the beginning, especially with the introduction of a journalist named Na-yeong
(Bo-ra Kim) who has gotten into trouble with the gossip newspaper she works for
by inadvertently placing a transgender person in category of “it-girl” of the
summer. As irrelevant as this mistake seems in the modern world, Na-yeong is
desperate for a good story to redeem herself. When her friend U-won (Jae Hyun Kim) who works in the
subway tells Na-yeong about a series of accidental deaths where the spirits of children
have been seen, the story becomes a hit and others begin sharing their own
stories on social media.
If this all
seems like a contrived scenario for the typical creepy ghost children who have
been wronged in the past and now seek revenge, it is. There are all of the
expected tropes, including the need to pass the curse on when Na-yeong
discovers that those who become exposed (showing signs with scratch marks from
the kids) eventually pass away, usually in a horrifying manner. It all feels
kinda perfunctory, as do the multiple jump scares throughout the film. Die-hard
fans of ghost stories who have watched all of the sequels and remakes of The
Ring and The Grudge (Ju-on) may find some enjoyment out of
the proceedings, but for most it will be exceptionally forgettable.
The Blu-ray has
no special features. I would say that the high definition may enhance the
visuals of the film, but they were as bland as the narrative. There are only a
few sequences where it would seem to make much difference.
Entertainment Value:
4/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 4/10
Historical
Significance: 1/10
Special Features: 0/10
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