“John Denver Trending‘s” South Korean suspenseful teaser is “Train to Busan” levels?
Arden Rod Cortez, writer and director of the 2019 Cinemalaya film, shared the 30-second mini trailer of his movie set to air in South Korean cinemas nationwide starting November 23.
“Parang lalaban sa ‘Train to Busan’ kung maka-suspense e,” he wrote on Twitter as a caption, referencing a hit South Korean zombie film filled with nail-biting suspenseful moments.
“Friends in South Korea, catch it on NOVEMBER 23 at CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox in major Korean cities,” Cortez added.
In the replies thread, Cortez credited the South Koreans for making the teaser.
He also quipped to another Twitter user: “Hahaha ‘di ko kaya ‘yung naging suspense pero sana makakuha ng audience.”
A different Pinoy claimed that the film’s title in Korean was also different.
“I get the suspenseful trailer. The Korean title translates to ‘To Kill John Denver,'” she wrote in response to the Korean version of the teaser.
“As a K-enthusiast, [it’s] giving me so much Korean thrill/mystery energy!!!! skdksk grabe ka na, rekdi [direk],” another Twitter user wrote with emojis.
“ANG GANDAAAA!!!!” exclaimed a different Pinoy.
“John Denver Trending,” the winner of the Best Film at Cinemalaya 2019, will premiere in South Korea.
ALSO READ: ‘John Denver Trending’ first Filipino film to screen in South Korean cinemas
It tells the story of a 14-year-old whose life quickly gets upended when one of his classmates posts an edited video of him attacking another classmate.
The film shows the effect and influence of social media, particularly fake or edited content, and its impact on online users.
“John Denver Trending” stars Antique native Jansen Magpusao and actress Meryll Soriano.
Its cast members also include Glenn Mas, Sunshine Teodoro, Sammy Rubido, Vince Philip Alegre, Jofranz Ambubuyog, Christian Alarcon, Zandro Leo Canlog, Luz Venus, Andy Yuarata, Estela Patino and Renato Sagot.
Apart from winning Cinemalaya before, the indie film also bagged awards at the Vesoul International Film Festival, including Special Jury Prize, Audience’s Choice Award and Critics’ Choice Award.
It also earned several recognitions from various international film festivals.