Yoga (2009 South Korean Film)

Yoga (Korean: 요가학원; RR: Yoga Hakwon) is a 2009 South Korean horror film directed and written by Yun Jae-Yeon. The film centers on Hyo-Jung, a woman who enrolls in a mysterious seven-day intensive yoga course after being told it offers the secret to ultimate, immortal beauty. The institute is run by an enigmatic former actress who appears to remain ageless.

Plot

Upon entering the institute, Hyo-Jung and four other participants are subjected to a strict set of rules designed to isolate them from the outside world. These mandates include prohibitions against unauthorized food consumption, bathing within an hour of training, and the use of mirrors. As the training progresses, the participants face psychological and physical pressures, and Hyo-Jung begins to suspect that the institute hides a dark, supernatural secret.

Production

Principal photography for Yoga commenced on April 12, 2009. To prepare for their roles, the seven main actresses underwent three hours of intensive yoga training daily for two months prior to the start of filming. Among the cast, Eugene was the only actress with prior experience in yoga. The film also marked the return of Rie Young-Zin to the horror genre, her first such role since the 1999 film Memento Mori.

Reception

The film was released in South Korea on August 20, 2009. During its opening weekend, Yoga debuted at the number five spot at the box office, selling 110,328 tickets across 321 screens and accounting for 5.7% of total ticket sales for that period. The film remained in the top ten for two weeks, ultimately selling a total of 270,822 tickets during its theatrical run.