Embracing Subculture Hybrids... Disney Begins Expanding Its Subscriber Base

Director Takashi Miike, Who Directed Disney+ 'Connect'
"I Can't Believe I'm Making a Disney+ Work"

Disney+ 'Connect' Actors and Director. From left: Jung Hae-in, Kim Hye-jun, Director Takashi Miike, Go Kyung-pyo
[Photo by Walt Disney Company]

Takashi Miike, the director of Disney+’s ‘Connect,’ is a distinctive Japanese filmmaker known for his extreme depictions of violence and blending of subcultures, attracting a large cult following. His representative works include ‘Visitor Q,’ ‘Ichi the Killer,’ ‘Chakushin Ari,’ and ‘Zebraman.’ These films differ greatly from Disney’s usual themes of dreams, hope, and capturing childlike innocence.

Disney’s expanded inclusivity appears to be a strategic move to broaden its subscriber base, following the footsteps of Netflix, which grew by embracing works with strong genre elements and unique identities. Director Miike, at the center of this change, could not hide his unfamiliar feelings. At the ‘Disney Content Showcase Asia-Pacific (APAC) 2022’ press conference held on the 1st (local time) at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, he stated, “I couldn’t believe I was making a work for an online video service (OTT), especially Disney+. I kept telling myself internally, ‘I can make it properly’ while working on it.”

‘Connect’ is a sci-fi thriller about a new type of human with an immortal body. It depicts the chase that unfolds when Dong-su, who was kidnapped by an organ trafficking organization and had one of his eyes removed, learns that his eye was transplanted into a serial killer. The original work is a webtoon of the same name by writer Shin Dae-sung. Director Miike took the helm after being recommended by production staff. He said, “Many people saw me as the right person for this project,” and added, “I tried to bring out the charm of the original work well.”

Disney+ 'Connect' still cut
[Photo by Walt Disney Company]

The cast consists entirely of Korean actors, including Jung Hae-in, Go Kyung-pyo, and Kim Hye-jun, whose status has risen over the past two to three years through films and OTT content. Director Miike remarked, “There was a clear difference compared to Japanese actors.” He praised them, saying, “Their passion was extraordinary. They were passionate and full of energy in everything,” and “They had everything as actors, including their acting skills.”

Director Miike is known for his frequent use of computer graphics (CG). ‘Connect’ is no exception. CG was extensively inserted in scenes where skin is peeled off and bloodshed is rampant. He explained, “It’s a device to enhance both the surface elements of action and thrill and the drama,” and asked the audience to pay attention to the latter. “It’s a drama that contains various aspects of humanity. Please focus on how far the human heart can weaken, what complexes exist, and how loneliness is overcome.”