Sun-yeong (Jin Young-Yang- The Foul King) is a Seoul taxi driver who moves into the decrepit Migum apartment building. It is a place set for demolition, most of its residents have moved away, discarded junk piles the moldy hallways, and its haunted past seems to be imbued in its weathered skeletal frame. But, Sun-yeong doesn't seem bothered, with very few belonging other than a couple of bags and a hamster, he movies in quite easily and befriends some of the remaining residents, a wannabe author/failed publisher and a battered wife, Myong-hyun (Myeong-min Kim).

Two tragedies took place in his room, #504, one some thirty years prior that involved a husband who killed his wife and then ran off with a neighbor, leaving his young child behind to die in a fire, the other, still fresh, occurred when a man committed suicide via immolation. After Myong-hyun kills her husband, Sun-yeong helps her dispose of the body and soon after the two begin to have an affair. But, suspicions emerge between all of the residents. Guarded secrets and strange connections to buried but not dead past begin to point to another tragedy for the people living there.

Horrific but not exactly a horror film. While there is talk of ghosts and haunting, Sorum definitely leans towards a more psychological vein than a supernatural one. Apparitions and whispering voices only pop-up in the characters dreams or psyche. And, yes there is some mystery and a third act reveal, but the film is still hard to classify as anything other than an arthouse film that dabbles with genre elements.

The film doesn't have much forward momentum, it is permeated with dread from the outset. How it concludes does still manage to shock, though with an expectedness, not a punch in the face. There is some really great character work and many moments where we just watch out two leads in a single master shot. And despite their circumstances, they each have some affable elements, be it Sun-yeong's goofy attempts to ape Bruce Lee or Myong-hyun's far away stare and unkempt hair. The setting itself is a real winner too, with the Migum Apartments managing to be the most unsettling location since the Overlook Hotel. Great cinematography and direction also add to the appeal of this atmospheric horror.

The DVD: Tartan

Picture: Non-Anamorphic Widescreen. The film has a very cold look with some muted, grainy photography. With so many scenes of stillness, silence, and naturalism, it is a movie that relies on it's imagery just as much (if not more) than any bit of dialogue or performance. Still, this print is a bit rough around the edges. In some of the darker scenes the contrast pushed to the graying point and the left side of the frame appears to have some diluted wear.

Sound: Korean language DTS, 5.1, or 2.0 Surround with optional English or Spanish subtitles. The sound design is so subtle I barely noticed the spacey air and "something is just not quite right" mood that the foley built over the course of the film. Similarly, the score is almost transparent, never pushing, always underscoring the myopic tone of the visuals. The DTS is nice but again, the film doesnt have many aural assaults.

Extras: Slipcase— 2 Theatrical Trailers, a TV Spot, plus other Tartan release trailers (where you'll find a little Easter Egg).— Photo Gallery.— Making of Featurette (35:24). Ugh, I am stupid. Originally I thought it had no subs, but I overlooked that they were accessible on the menu- I'm a key the subs via remote guy. Anyway, good making-of feature, the usual stuff, behind the scenes and cast/crew interviews.

Conclusion: I really like the film. For intellectual horror and those that appreciate minimalism and strong character work, the film is extremely rewarding. The DVD quality makes it worth a casual purchase, or at least a solid rental.