Seoul: Yeon Sang-ho, the prolific Korean filmmaker renowned for his works such as "Colony" (2026), "The Ugly" (2025), and "Train to Busan" (2016), has announced that his latest film, "Paradise Lost," was inspired by a short story written by his mother. The film is a psychological thriller that delves into the unsettling reunion between So-young, portrayed by Kim Hyun-joo, and her son Sun-woo, played by Bae Hyun-sung, who was presumed dead following a school bus accident nine years prior.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yeon shared at a press conference in Seoul that his mother's fondness for him led her to pen a three-page story out of concern for the challenges he faced in screenwriting. He humorously recalled purchasing the story from her and using it as the foundation for "Paradise Lost." The film's screenplay evolved through three versions, with the final one being used for the movie.

Yeon continues to explore familial relationships in his work, shifting from the father-son dynamics in "The Ugly" to a mother-son relationship in "Paradise Lost." The film also addresses the theme of artificial intelligence and its impact on human life, showcasing So-young's internal struggle as she confronts the disparity between her real son and the idealized version she created using AI.

Yeon revealed that the film's title draws inspiration from John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost." He aimed to narrate a story about the journey of forming a human identity outside the confines of a perfect paradise, contrasting pristine memories with flawed human decisions.

Emphasizing the benefits of working on low-budget projects, Yeon noted that such a production model offered a more relaxed environment for the cast and crew. Despite working across various formats, from low-budget films to commercial cinema and the Japanese Netflix series "Human Vapor," Yeon finds each new project rejuvenating and encourages other directors to explore low-budget filmmaking.

"Paradise Lost" is scheduled for release on October 21.