'The Fifth Thoracic Vertebra' Director Park Se-young's 'The Fin' Set to Open July 22 in South Korea

Park Se-young's new film 〈The Fin〉, from the director of 〈The Fifth Thoracic Vertebra〉, has set a July 22 release in South Korea and unveiled its main poster. 〈The Fin〉 is a dystopian art-house science-fiction film set in a near-future, unified Republic of Korea where genetically mutated "Omega" and humans coexist. It is Park Se-young's second feature-length narrative after his debut feature 〈The Fifth Thoracic Vertebra〉 and the subsequent 〈Slide Strum Mute〉, both of which showcased his distinctive directorial voice.

The film is set in a brutal dystopia where a 4,000-kilometer barrier dividing land and sea was built because of environmental pollution. It depicts the conflict between the mutant "Omega"—whose bodies develop fins, are isolated from human society, forced into sea-cleaning labor and exploited—and the "human" overseers who monitor them. When one Omega leaves its designated zone and slips into the city, Su-jin, a young civil servant responsible for overseeing them, pursues it to uncover its identity, unfolding an unpredictable story. The central cast includes actors Yeon Ye-ji, Kim Pu-reum and Go Woo.

The newly released main poster features a face seemingly submerged in cold blue waves, underscoring the film's dreamlike yet chilling mood. The subject's steady gaze conveys a complex mix of fear and resolve, piquing curiosity. A bold red title against the blue-toned background creates a stark contrast, highlighting the film's mix of anxiety, hope and despair.

〈The Fin〉 had already attracted international festival attention before its South Korea release. It was officially invited to the "Filmmakers of the Present" section for new directors at the 78th Locarno Film Festival and screened there as its world premiere. The film also won the Passionate Staff Award at the 51st Seoul Independent Film Festival and was subsequently invited to major festivals at home and abroad, including the Jeonju International Film Festival, the Sitges Film Festival and the Hamburg Film Festival. It was also selected for "Fantastic 7," the genre film discovery program at the Cannes Film Market, earning praise from global media.

The project was produced by Siso Pictures, Essential Film and Pretty Things Film, and internationally acclaimed producer Philippe Bober—known for producing 〈Triangle of Sadness〉 and 〈The Square〉—joined as co-producer, making the film a co-production between South Korea, Germany and Qatar. With its original premise and striking visuals, 〈The Fin〉 will be distributed nationwide in theaters by Emu Films Co., Ltd. starting July 22.