Ghost Train (2025)

Genre: Horror / Mystery
Director: Tak Se-woong
Starring: Joo Hyun-young (Da-kyung), Jeon Bae-soo (Stationmaster), Choi Bo-min (Woo-jin), Kim Ji-in (Hye-jin)
Runtime: 94 minutes
Release Date: July 9, 2025 (South Korea; global rollout follows) 

Da-kyung (Joo Hyun-young) is a desperate horror content creator whose subscriber count is plummeting. She heads into Seoul’s abandoned Gwanglim Station for a viral livestream opportunity. Joined by her earnest producer Woo-jin (Choi Bo-min), she seeks to unravel the station’s spooky past. Only the reserve Stationmaster (Jeon Bae‑soo) seems to know the full story—though what he knows may be far darker than any urban myth 

1. Modern Horror Meets Digital Age

The film deftly merges classic urban folklore with the obsession over social media fame. It taps into relatable anxieties: chasing views, ghost hunting, and the blurred line between reality and spectacle 

2. Impressive Atmospherics & Real Locations

Shot in real abandoned subway tunnels in Seoul, Ghost Train crafts a claustrophobic visual style. Hand-held and found-footage aesthetics heighten dread—creating genuine tension with minimal CGI 

3. Strong Central Performances

Joo Hyun-young breaks from her comedic roots, delivering a compelling portrayal of a rising influencer consumed by her pursuit. Jeon Bae-soo’s stationmaster is an unnerving enigma whose calm presence conceals deep menace  Choi Bo-min offers a heartfelt, grounding counterbalance as Woo-jin 

1. Familiar Horror Tropes

While the premise is timely, the narrative leans heavily on stereotypical ghost-film tropes—vanishing figures, vanishings tied to lost people. Some plot elements feel recycled rather than genuinely fresh 

2. Expository Backstory & Logic Flaws

A few character motivations and station-history revelations border on heavy-handed—while others leave narrative holes that may confuse or disengage horror purists .

3. CGI & Scare Routine Falls

Despite solid suspense, some CGI ghost effects feel underwhelming. The jumpscares, though timed well, rely too much on clichés rather than originality .

Ghost Train succeeds as a polished, culturally relevant horror experience that captures both the fears of the digital age and the unsettling history of haunted spaces. With strong central performances and tension-rich visuals, it’s one of Korea’s most memorable horror imports of 2025. While not entirely groundbreaking, its blend of modern anxieties and urban legend gives it a distinct voice.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½☆ (3.5/5)

• Fans of atmospheric, claustrophobic horror

• Viewers interested in how social media culture intersects with supernatural storytelling

• Lovers of Korean horror with just enough newness and nostalgia