Park Chan-wook Directs a Macabre Martial Arts Epic for Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Korean critically-acclaimed director Park Chan-wook introduces the world of cinematography to Apple for its latest campaign. This is the first ever ‘Shot on iPhone’ spot to have been produced, shot and edited entirely in Korea. ‘Life Is But a Dream’ pays homage to Korea’s rich culture and history whilst also celebrating the flourishing Korean cinema scene. 

The campaign puts Koreans face to face with their own perspectives on life and death. Filmed through the lens of iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 113 Pro Max, Park views life and death as being connected together. Mixing romance, dark comedy and ‘pansori’, Park was able to create a martial arts film that captures the belief life and death neither being opposites or separate.

‘Life Is But a Dream’ follows the surreal story of an undertaker who digs up an abandoned grave to steal a coffin for the burial of a warrior who died to save a village. During the digging, an ancient swordsman ghost awakens. As the ghost attempts to take the coffin back, another deceased spirit rouses, leading to an exchanging of blades and feelings. Life and death, a wedding and a funeral all come crashing together to capture a macabre, modern and pansori drama. 

This isn’t Park Chan-wook’s first time shooting on an iPhone. In 2011, Park shot the short film ‘Night Fishing’ on the iPhone 4. This led to Park praising the iPhone as a device for professional filmmaking. 

This campaign highlights iPhone’s continued offering of the highest quality including Slo-Mo, Time-lapse and Dolby Vision. 

The cast features some of the most recognised and respected actors including Yoo Hae-jin (the undertaker), Kim Ok-vin (White Marten) and Park Jeong-min (the swordsman).

The campaign with appear on broadcast, digital, social, out of home and on apple.com.