"Train to Busan" Director's "Colony" Rakes In NT$42 Million in 3 Days; Jun Ji-hyun's Off-Camera Warmth Revealed

"Train to Busan" director Yeon Sang-ho's latest zombie blockbuster, "Colony," opened in Taiwan last Friday (the 22nd) and stormed to the top of the box office, raking in more than NT$42 million in its first three days. Screenings across Taiwan sold out, with many moviegoers complaining they couldn't get tickets even after showing up at the cinema, and lines forming for midnight shows — sparking a nationwide zombie viewing frenzy. Audiences raved after the screenings: "The most worth-the-ticket-price movie I've seen recently," "Two hours with not a single dull moment," and "After watching, I was honestly worried there'd be zombies waiting outside the theater!"

South Korean leading lady Jun Ji-hyun plays bioengineer "Kwon Se-jung" in the film, one of the uninfected survivors trapped inside a sealed-off building who leads the others in a desperate bid to escape a horde of zombies. Director Yeon Sang-ho revealed that he was initially worried whether the A-list star would adapt to the rough shooting conditions of "Colony" — but it turned out to be the complete opposite. "While waiting between takes, Jun Ji-hyun would always organize group activities so the time wouldn't drag. Sometimes she would even bring food from home to share with everyone — jerky, celery and so on. She was always so warm to everyone, and it really lifted the mood on set. When the actors get along well, it makes the crew's job a lot easier too. I'm truly grateful to her!"

Jun Ji-hyun responded modestly: "I feel the time on set is incredibly precious. As actresses get older, opportunities become fewer, so I'm always grateful. I believe I have to strike a good balance between work and family in order to truly be myself. If I live my life well like that, I trust good results will follow, and I'll meet many wonderful people along the way."

"Colony" opened in South Korea last Thursday (the 21st) and immediately took the No. 1 spot at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing opener among films released in Korea in 2026. By its third day in Korean theaters, it had already passed 1 million admissions — the fastest film of the year to hit that milestone, even surpassing the opening weekend of this year's blockbuster phenomenon "Mandate of the King," which has drawn more than 16.87 million viewers. "Colony" tallied 1,051,633 admissions in its first two days, and yesterday (the 24th) it dominated the Korean box office with a 72.4% market share, igniting a full-blown zombie craze. "Colony" is now playing across Taiwan.

Source: TVBS News — https://news.tvbs.com.tw/entertainment/3212884