Alive (2020)

Director: Cho Il-hyung (Il Cho)
Starring: Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye
Genre: Zombie / Thriller / Survival
Runtime: 98 minutes
Language: Korean (with subtitles)
Release Date: June 24, 2020 (South Korea), September 8, 2020 (Netflix Global)

In an age of digital connection and real-world isolation, #Alive offers a fresh take on the zombie genre by blending traditional survival horror with modern digital loneliness. Directed by Cho Il-hyung, the film centers around Oh Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in), a gamer and content creator who wakes up one day to find his apartment complex — and the world beyond — overwhelmed by a mysterious zombie outbreak.

Alone, cut off from the internet and outside help, Joon-woo must rely on limited supplies, his instincts, and eventually a fellow survivor across the complex, Kim Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye), to stay alive.

• Modern, Relatable Premise: Set almost entirely in a high-rise apartment, #Alive cleverly captures the experience of isolation during crisis — something especially poignant during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many viewers first saw the film. The use of smartphones, drones, and social media adds a realistic and contemporary edge.

• Tense, Efficient Storytelling: At just over 90 minutes, the film wastes little time. It’s a fast-paced ride with smart tension-building that doesn’t rely too heavily on gore. The confined setting adds claustrophobia and suspense.

• Yoo Ah-in's Performance: Yoo Ah-in brings both vulnerability and energy to the role of Joon-woo, convincingly portraying the emotional swings between panic, boredom, desperation, and hope. Park Shin-hye is equally strong as the calm, pragmatic Yoo-bin.

• Creative Zombie Design: The zombies are quick, aggressive, and terrifying — yet the film restrains from overusing them, letting the threat simmer in the background. Their sudden appearances are effective and chilling.

• Hope and Human Connection: Unlike many bleak zombie stories, #Alive emphasizes human resilience and the importance of connection. The relationship that forms between the two leads is subtle, based on necessity and growing trust, not romantic clichés.

• Lacks Depth in World-Building: The film never explains the origin of the virus, the state of the outside world, or much about its characters' pasts. While the tight focus works for pacing, it may leave some viewers wanting more narrative context.

• Familiar Genre Tropes: Despite its modern twist, the film follows a structure that will be very familiar to fans of zombie media — survival, rescue, betrayal, narrow escape. It’s solidly done, but not groundbreaking.

• Rotten Tomatoes: 88% (critics), 62% (audience)

• IMDb: 6.3/10

• Netflix Top 10: Charted globally in several countries during its 2020 release

Critics praised the film’s suspense, performances, and relevance during the pandemic, while some audience members found the plot a bit thin or the ending predictable. Still, it stood out as a unique, international entry into the zombie genre.

#Alive isn’t revolutionary, but it delivers a tight, timely, and tense zombie survival thriller with a high dose of relatability. Grounded in modern technology and emotional isolation, it reflects real-world fears in a fictional crisis. Supported by strong lead performances and clever direction, it’s one of South Korea’s more accessible and enjoyable horror exports.