“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,” an adaptation of the South Korean box office hit “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” is headed for a world premiere in December at the Metro Manila Film Festival.
The 2018 Korean original was a found footage type supernatural horror film directed by Jung Bum-shik. Based on an actual psychiatric hospital located in Gwangju-si, it starred actors Wi Ha-joon (“Squid Game”), Park Ji-hyun (“The Divine Fury”), Oh Ah-yeon (“Mr. Sunshine”), Moon Ye-won (“Legal High”), Park Sung-hoon (“The Glory,” “Queen of Tears”), Yoo Je-yoon (“Extreme Job”) and Lee Seung-wook (“Joseon Fist”) in the leading roles.
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The new version is directed by Kerwin Go and produced by acclaimed director Erik Matti (On the Job,” “BuyBust”) and veteran producer Dondon Monteverde in partnership with actor Enrique Gil. Production is through Reality MM Studios.
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Following the format of the Korean original, the group of Filipino amateur ghosthunters will explore the notorious Xinglin Hospital, an abandoned building located in Taiwan’s West Central District. The asylum is considered by locals as one of the most haunted places in Taiwan due to its recurring paranormal activities.
In the Philippine adaptation, film and television actor Gil (“My Ex and Whys,” “Seven Sundays”) leads a group of real-life personalities, including actress Jane De Leon (“Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme”), Alexa Miro and Rob Gomez (“A Girl and a Guy”), MJ Lastimosa (“Day Zero”) with real-life tarot reader Raf Pineda and content creator Ryan “Zarckaroo” Azurin.
Zarckaroo is a local video creator known for filming actual footage in some of the region’s most haunted and offbeat places. His YouTube account is followed by some 1.6 million subscribers. His Facebook page has 1.9 million followers.
“Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” was a commercial hit in its native South Korea attracting more than 2.6 million viewers and $21 million in box office takings, becoming the second highest grossing Korean horror film in 2018.
The remake project was brought to Reality MM Studios by BJ Song (“Taxi Driver,” “Boys Over Flowers,” “Princess Hours”), CEO of Creative Leaders Group 8. The film is currently in post-production and has not yet attached an international sales agent.
The Metro Manila Film Festival (which, despite the name, is actually nationwide) represents one of the peak cinemagoing seasons of the year in The Philippines and focuses exclusively on Filipino movies. “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” will debut on Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
Watch the first clip here.
