A Film Where Occult Meets Action: "Holy Night"
The Birth of a Dark Hero Who Delivers the Most Satisfying Punches
Actor Ma Dongseok is posing at the production briefing for the film Holy Night: Demon Hunters held on the 21st at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
The period from late April to early May, often referred to as "late April, early May," is considered a prime box office season for actor Ma Dongseok. Traditionally regarded as an off-season for theaters, this period has seen heightened expectations thanks to the "The Outlaws" series?parts 2, 3, and 4?which he both starred in and produced, each achieving the milestone of over 10 million viewers.
The film Holy Night: Demon Hunters, for which Ma Dongseok served as original creator, planner, producer, and lead actor, is set to premiere on April 30. This date coincides with "Culture Day," when movie tickets are offered at half price, and leads into a golden holiday week that includes Labor Day on May 1 and Buddha's Birthday on May 6. As Ma Dongseok, widely regarded as a box office guarantee in Chungmuro, returns to the screen, there is keen interest in whether he can revitalize the stagnant theater scene.
Holy Night tells the story of a city thrown into chaos by a cult that worships evil, and the "Holy Night Team"?Baou (Ma Dongseok), Sharon (Seohyun), and Kim Gun (Lee Dawit)?who possess special abilities and take on the task of eradicating the forces of evil. The film combines Ma Dongseok’s signature exhilarating boxing action with elements of the occult genre.
After taking down vicious serial killers and zombies in previous films, Ma Dongseok now sets his sights on demons. Unveiled at a press screening held on April 21 at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul, Holy Night is a fantasy-heavy occult film. While the action sequences are less prominent than expected, the newly established universe stands out, raising anticipation for the birth of a new series led by Ma Dongseok.
Ma Dongseok’s trademark humor also shines in this film. Audiences burst into laughter when he looks at a terrifying demon and asks, "Are you Korean?" During a press conference that day, Ma Dongseok said, "I wanted to highlight the team’s cheerful qualities within the world-building," and added, "It was possible because this is not a pure occult film, but a genre that blends dark hero elements with the occult."
The punches thrown at demons are even more powerful this time. Extensive post-production work was done to deliver a satisfying impact, much like in a video game. Ma Dongseok explained, "Films where I take down criminals are based on reality, so the action had to stay within realistic boundaries, but this time I was able to go further with the action, which was very satisfying." He also said, "We discussed the sound, impact, and audio while filming," and expressed confidence by adding, "It will be even more exhilarating when watched in theaters."
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