Lee Daehan

1. What inspired you to create THE DETACHMENT and why did you choose the horror genre?
 

The inspiration for THE DETACHMENT came from an offhand suggestion by actor Do Heejun,
who played the role of Ha-young, about making a movie featuring zombies. That immediately
spurred my desire to craft a narrative set in a world devastated by zombies, where characters
come across long-lost friends in unlikely circumstances. I felt that the desolation caused by the
zombies in THE DETACHMENT, combined with the loneliness and loss experienced by the
characters, could best be depicted by merging horror and drama to shape the narrative. Thus, I
chose the horror genre to plan and execute the script and direction.
 

2. What were the biggest challenges you faced while directing THE DETACHMENT?
 

The most demanding part was the process of ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement). It
required a substantial amount of energy from the actors, the director, and the sound engineers.
However, the perseverance and dedicated effort of the team paid off, resulting in a satisfactory
completion of the post-production process.
 

3. How did you approach building the atmosphere of terror in your film?
 

In THE DETACHMENT, elements of horror are present not only in the form of jump scares or
gruesome combat scenes with zombies but, more significantly, within the minds of the
characters. The real terror manifests in their sense of emptiness, anxiety, and deteriorating mental
health as they continuously encounter horrifying circumstances against their will. I focused on
scenes that revealed the characters' dialogues and psychological states, believing that this
psychological terror is the true essence of horror. The desire to convey a sense of stark desolation
in the world of THE DETACHMENT and emphasize the characters' mental state led me to film
hastily as winter waned and everything looked barren. I opted for high-contrast black and white
color grading to accentuate this feeling. Additionally, the actors' stellar performances and an apt
musical score greatly contributed to establishing the atmosphere.
 

4. Is there any underlying message or theme you would like the audience to grasp from THE
DETACHMENT?
 

I would like the audience to ponder human relationships, ethics, and humanity. Even as we speak,
numerous incidents occur due to our nature as social creatures and our interconnectedness.
Whether it's a casual conversation over coffee with a friend or the outbreak of a war, everything
happens in the context of human relationships.
 

5. What was your approach to developing complex and memorable characters in your film?
 

My approach to character and event development begins with personal experiences. I start with
the people and events I've personally encountered, place them in a new context, and begin
writing from there. The personality of the character Suck-kil in THE DETACHMENT mirrors my
own, and to some extent, so does Ha-young's. The scenario where the two characters, once
separated in childhood, reunite is drawn from my real-life experiences. I believe in giving the
actors free rein to interpret their roles, allowing for a flow of innovative ideas which I actively
incorporate into the production while maintaining the core of my directorial vision. Based on these
carefully curated character traits, the screenplay and storyboarding are created, leading to the
filming process.
 

6. Who were your major cinematic influences when creating THE DETACHMENT?
 

While I tend to approach my projects based primarily on personal experiences, rather than
drawing direct influences from other works or individuals, there are certainly films I recommended
to my team at ZAQSAL FILMS during the development of THE DETACHMENT. Not necessarily for
inspiration, but to provide a sense of the artistic breadth within the genre. Those films include
Cure (1997) by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Address Unknown (2001) by Kim Ki-duk, Miss Zombie (2013)
by SaBu, and A Mere Life (2012) by Park Sang-hun.
 

7. How do you balance suspense and horror elements in your most intense scenes?
 

Suspense is a driving force of narrative, especially in genre films. The audience of THE
DETACHMENT has the advantage over the characters within the story: they know the “truth”. This
knowledge breeds suspense and unease. Yet, a film cannot maintain a consistent level of tension
throughout; it needs to ebb and flow, akin to a roller coaster ride. To achieve this, we strategically
intersperse jump scares and violent confrontations with the undead throughout the film, providing
that necessary balance between suspense and raw horror.
 

8. Could you share a specific scene or moment in THE DETACHMENT that you consider
particularly impactful or scary?
 

Every moment concerning the “truth” within the film could be considered impactful and terrifying.
Imagine if you were the one to directly encounter the dark truth that our characters face. It is an
absolutely horrifying, agonizing moment that no one would ever wish to experience.
 

9. How did you work with the production team to create the visual and sound aesthetics of
THE DETACHMENT?
 

ZAQSAL FILMS is a lean team, comprised of three actors, myself as the director, and our
composer. We operate on a micro budget, handling most tasks internally, with minimal external
intervention. I personally handle the writing, directing, cinematography, lighting, and editing,
creating a cohesive visual aesthetic. We were also fortunate to work with a talented special
effects makeup team, which significantly elevated our visual quality. On the sound front, we have
Kim Bumjun (Also known as VORANAH), a highly talented composer and sound engineer who
shapes the sonic landscape of our films. Though our team is small, we find strength in our unity.
 

10. Are there specific South Korean cultural aspects present in THE DETACHMENT that may
add an extra layer of immersion for the audience?
 

THE DETACHMENT was not crafted with any specific South Korean cultural elements in mind,
and its mood and style even diverge from the current popular sentiments in Korean cinema. This
is a characteristic of my works, and it often results in more invitations from international film
festivals than domestic ones.

11. How do you anticipate the audience will react to THE DETACHMENT within the context of a
horror film festival like BR Banshee?
 

We anticipate the film will resonate more with audiences who appreciate dark dramas exploring
human nature, rather than those seeking a typical zombie film. We hope that every viewer will
enjoy THE DETACHMENT through their unique perspectives. Thank you.