HBO to Explore Asian Horror Myths in New Series ‘Folklore’
By Carl Samson
HBO will begin streaming a new anthology series that explores horror myths in Asia next month.
The show, titled “Folklore,” will delve into chilling legends and superstitions across six countries: Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea.
Each of the six episodes will come from a different director and focus on the “supernatural beings and occult beliefs” of one country, Entertainment Weekly reported.
As such, each will also be presented in the country’s native language.
The episodes include (1) “A Mother’s Love” by Joko Anwar, (2) “Tatami” by Takumi Saitoh, (3) “Nobody” by Eric Khoo, (4) “Pob” by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, (5) “Toyol” by Ho Yuhang and (6) “Mongdal” by Lee Sang-woo.
The original series already premiered on HBO Asia last year, with behind-the-scenes footage now available on its YouTube page.
1. “A Mother’s Love”
“A Mother’s Love,” the pilot episode from Indonesia, tells the story of a single mother and her son who unknowingly snatch a group of underfed children from their adopted mother, Wewe Gombel, who seeks retribution.
The episode, starring Marissa Anita and Muzakki Ramdhan, was selected for the Fantastic Fest in Texas.
2. “Tatami”
In Japan’s “Tatami,” a murder scene writer returns home for his father’s funeral and discovers a secret door that opens to a horrifying secret from the past.
The episode, starring Kazuki Kitamura, Misuzu Kanno, Daisuke Kuroda and Shima Onishi, was selected for the SITGES International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.
3. “Nobody”
“Nobody,” a story from Singapore, unfolds into a series of unfortunate events following the awakening of a Pontianak after a foreman and a construction worker try to bury a dead girl.
The episode, which was also selected for the SITGES International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, stars Li Wen Qiang, Maguire Jian, Sivakumar Palakrishnan, Aric Hidir, Louis Wu and Dayang Nurbalqis.
4. “Pob”
In Thailand’s “Pob,” a journalist meets a ghost who confesses to a murder but declines to publish his story, resulting in a lifetime pact.
The episode, selected for the Toronto International Film Festival, stars Nuttapon Sawasdee, Parama Wutthikornditsakul and Thomas Burton van Blarcom.
5. “Toyol”
“Toyol,” a staple in Malay folklore, follows a Member of Parliament who turns to a mysterious woman for help and eventually falls in love with her — without knowing her dark secret.
The episode, starring Bront Palarae, Nabila Huda and Redza Minhat, was also selected for Fantastic Fest.
6. “Mongdal”
Finally, South Korea’s “Mongdal” reveals a mother’s will to make her “borderline psychopathic” son happy “even if it means finding a bride to join him in the afterlife.”
The episode starring Lee Chae-yeon and Jung Yun-seok was also selected for Fantastic Fest.
“Folklore” will be available on HBO Go, HBO Now, HBO On Demand and partner platforms on Feb. 1.
Images via YouTube / HBO Asia
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