Im Dong Hwan (Park Jeong-min) is the only son of Im Young Gyu (Kwon Hae-hyo), a blind seal craftsman, and Jung Young-hee (Shin Hyun-bin), who once worked at a garment factory owned by Baek Joo Sang (Im Seong-jae). Forty years ago, Dong Hwan’s mother died under mysterious circumstances, leaving a dark secret buried in the past. Haunted by the unanswered questions surrounding her death, Dong Hwan embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth, assisted by Kim Soo Jin (Han Ji-hyun), a determined documentary filmmaker.

The Ugly, directed by Yeon Sang-ho, is adapted from his own graphic novel published in 2018. The film made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on 9 September 2025 before being released in South Korea on 11 September 2025. A gripping mystery filled with emotional depth and atmospheric tension, The Ugly showcases Yeon Sang-ho’s mastery of psychological storytelling beyond his acclaimed works such as Train to Busan and Hellbound. The Indonesian Film Censorship Institution (LSF) has classified this film for audiences aged 13 and above. (fat)