I watched Train to Busan recently, and like everyone else I enjoyed it and appreciated the color in the characters combined with the simple social commentary in there about working. It wasn't earth- shattering stuff though, since it was still a genre film, and did still paint in broad strokes, giving characters tragic, heroic, or comeuppance style exits. The prequel Seoul Station takes a similar approach although with several key differences. Of course the narrative and setting differs, but the biggest chances are in focus and tone. In this prequel we are in the lowest classes – the homeless, those hustling try to make it through the next day, those not seen by regular people. The tone is also significantly harsher and bitter than Train, and there is almost no sentiment here at all.This is a satisfying change and makes the film more effective as a zombie film. We those trying to do right by others are let down by those above, and consumed by those below them (the raging zombies). Those that last the longest are those that generally look out for themselves and take opportunities without thinking of others, while those that pause for the sake of others are usually lost. I'm not suggesting that the social commentary is worthy of great discourse, but at the same time, looking back at 2016 as the year where angry protest votes against establishment figures gave us Brexit and Trump, it is hard not to view the film in this light – with the authorities failing those at the bottom, only for a destruction and unfocused rage to destroy what those in authority were seeking to build.The film carries this cynicism through from start to finish, and produces some good plot turns that feed into this even more. It can seem overly harsh at times, but I enjoyed how simple and stripped down it was in what it did. The animation was not wholly successful – I didn't always like the appearance or movement of the characters within the landscape, although it did give it a cartoony/comic-book feel which did also help with the genre feel. Mostly though it worked and moved well, with the plot and action making me less concerned with such specifics.In the end, it is the sense of cynicism and harshness that makes the film work, with the plight of those on the edge of society being a strong focus, and linking to what happens when support networks fail so dramatically.

This is another Sang-ho Yeon's animated movie that takes on a dark, nihilistic, skeptical and overly cynical direction. That tries to mainly show the negative, selfish and manipulative side of human nature. How just about everyone does things out of their own motives and agenda. While the good intention people get wiped out very quickly. This is shown in one scene where one guy tries to save a girl hanging on a wire and ends up paying for it. But what makes this film work is that the overly selfish and angry banters works when it comes to the context and scenarios of the setting. And I did find it unique how it delved into status in society and how the poor is treated worse than dogs in Seoul. And how people show their real face depending on the circumstances and situation. To my surprise this animated movie wasn't as apocalyptic and chaotic as I expected. Instead I found it more subtle and plays out more like a drama. Since it's animated I thought Sang-ho Yeon would take advantage of it and would have put in a lot of chaotic effect which would have cost way more for a live action. One of the main disappointment comes from the animation, which looked very cheap. I am not a fan of cel shaded animation and it just appeared like they cut back a lot when it came to the animation. I think I saw better cel shaded animation on a PS2 during cut-scenes when it came to certain parts. Also if you are expecting some sort of connection between this and "Train to Busan" you won't be getting it. Overall, this is a depressing zombie movie that is a social commentary on society's injustice.5.8/10

Train to Busan is a hit now, and deservedly so. Although it is a zombie flick, it reaches deeper into the societal issues of corporate greed and class stratification, albeit in a way that is predictable and at times clichéd. Not so with Seoul Station - this animation delivers not only highly poignant commentary about class, poverty, social malaise, the ending is a whammy of a climax that is unexpected yet wraps up the narrative arc neatly without succumbing to familiar tactics.Unlike Train to Busan, it is Seoul itself (and its denizens) that is at the epicenter of the drama. Likewise, the characters are well fleshed out according to their role and societal stature. As a horror thriller, the zombies are up close, omnipresent and quite effective. The characters kept up a good pace, and are resourceful in adapting to the dangers they face with intelligent and believable methods.Like The King of Pigs and The Fake, Seoul Station belongs as much to the poignant social narrative as the zombie horror genre. It is a must-watch, and in my opinion, a superior film to Train to Busan.

I don't know why, but 2 of the main characters (the daughter & her boyfriend)kept irritating me throughout the film, but redeem themselves at the end in a way you wouldn't expect.Conversely, the father who started out the film heroically in search of his daughter, in the end proves he's anything but.The social commentary of how we judge & fear the mentally ill & homeless is exemplified well, particularly in the only scene with a bit of humour in it where the daughter & her homeless companion are desperately trying to lift the security roller door in an attempt to escape the clutches of what appears to be a zombie running towards them. Like Train to Busan, the final father & daughter scene was quite devastating, but in a COMPLETELY different way! It's an ending that caught me by surprise emotionally & shows there are fates worse than being killed by the undead.