The film 'Focus,' produced by IO Content Group, held a red carpet premiere, first screening, and guest discussion at the 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), receiving enthusiastic response from audiences.
'Focus,' selected for the official competition section 'Bucheon Choice: Korean Features' at the 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, is a mystery horror work depicting strange events surrounding an unidentified presence captured on camera. Introduced as an original work that transforms the familiar medium of the camera into a conduit for fear, 'Focus' drew the attention of genre film enthusiasts in the representative competition section that showcases new trends in Korean genre cinema.
The 'Focus' team that attended the festival first met with audiences through the red carpet, followed by the first screening and guest discussion. The post-screening guest discussion was attended by actors Ahn Dong-gu, Jo Hye-jung, and Lee Seok-hyung, who discussed the film's setting, production process, and characters while communicating with the audience.
Following the first screening, audiences praised the film highly for its horror that extends into reality, noting that smartphone lenses, CCTVs, and familiar gazes that were previously overlooked now appeared as unfamiliar and unsettling presences. In particular, the film received positive reviews for building psychological tension by utilizing everyday spaces and familiar objects rather than relying on simple jump scares.
Ahn Dong-gu, who attended the guest discussion, expressed his sense of fulfillment in witnessing audiences experience the horror in the film together. Jo Hye-jung shared behind-the-scenes production stories, saying she was glad the audience felt the tension created by the harmonious blend of visuals, sound, and the actors' emotions. Lee Seok-hyung also expressed his joy that the emotions and tension created during filming through collaboration with fellow actors were well conveyed.
The participation of verified production staff also greatly contributed to the work's quality. Cinematographer Eom Si-woo from the drama 'Night Comes' realized the visual beauty of crossing between reality and unreality, while lighting director Lee Sun-young from 'Human Lesson' infused unease and tension throughout the screen. Added to this were simultaneous sound director Yoon Sang-il from 'Kingdom' and sound mixer Plus Gain, who handled the sound mixing for 'Hunting Dogs' and 'The Executioners,' creating a three-dimensional world of horror.
IO Content Group, which advanced to the festival's competition section for the second consecutive year following 'Hellbound: Hellfire Night' last year, challenges the new possibilities of the K-horror genre once again through 'Focus.' Expectations are growing for what kind of word-of-mouth 'Focus' will generate following its presence demonstrated at the film festival.
