The Ghost Station Blu-ray Review

 

• 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