The Host is a 2006 monster horror film directed by Bong Joon-ho, who co-wrote the script with Ha Jun-weon and Baek Cheol-hyeon. The film focuses on a vendor, Park Gang-du (Song Kang-ho), who attempts to save his daughter, Hyun-seo (Go Ah-sung), from a creature dwelling in the Han River that has abducted her. Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, and Bae Doona, portray Gang-du's father, brother, and sister respectively.
The Host premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival in May 2006, to critical acclaim. It was distributed in South Korea by Showbox on July 27 and in Japan by Kadokawa Herald on September 2; theatrical releases throughout the rest of the world lasted until 2008. The Host grossed roughly worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing South Korea film ever on its release. Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, surveyed 156 reviews and judged 93% to be positive.
The film garnered nominations in various categories, particularly for Bong's direction and screenwriting as well as the lead acting performances. At the 1st Asian Film Awards in March 2007, it became the first film to win the Asian Film Award for Best Film; Song also won the Asian Film Award for Best Actor. The film received five of its nine nominations at the 5th Korean Film Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. Among its awards from Western ceremonies, and critics' organizations, and festivals, The Host was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best International Film and the Belgian Film Critics Association's Grand Prix.