Tristes Tropiques () is a 2025 South Korean action thriller film written and directed by Park Hoon-jung, starring Kim Myung-min, Lee Shin-young, Park Yu-rim, and Park Hae-soo. The film premiered at the 58th Sitges Film Festival on October 16, 2025.
Synopsis It tells the story of children belonging to a killer organization called "Sad Tropics," raised by the "Master," the ultimate ruler of the rainforest. Amidst a shocking incident, they begin to suspect one another and vow bloody revenge.
Cast Kim Myung-min as Master Ruler of Tristes Tropiques organization, which specializes in jungle warfare
Lee Shin-young as Lu A boy abandoned in the jungle as a child. Lu was born deaf but survived as the youngest member of Tristes Tropiques organization
Park Yu-rim as Jojo A girl who followed Master into the jungle on her own
Park Hae-soo as Jang The eldest member of the Tristes Tropiques organization
Austin Lin as a mysterious kid One of five member of the Tristes Tropiques organization
Wang Po-chieh
Chen Yi-wen
Production Development On July 17, 2024, Mindmark unveiled its film lineup for 2024 and 2025, featuring director Park Hoon-jung's latest work, with the working title . The film is produced by Park's production company, Gold Moon Film, and co-produced by Mindmark, a content subsidiary of the Shinsegae Group. Described as a project offering a new level of complexity and depth, the production held auditions with plans to begin principal photography in Thailand in September 2024.
The official English title was later confirmed to be Tristes Tropiques.
Marketing International sales rights was secured by Finecut. They introduced the project to buyers in Toronto.
Casting In October 2024, it was reported that director Park Hoon-jung's new film had finalized its primary cast and commenced principal photography. The leading cast includes Kim Myung-min, Lee Shin-young, Park Yu-rim, Austin Lin, and Park Hae-soo.
Filming The principal photography was located in Thailand and run from September to December 2024.
Release Tristes Tropiques was invited to the Orbita competition section of the 58th Sitges Film Festival. The film had its world premiere at the festival's main 1,380-seat auditorium. It had its Belgian premiere at the 44th Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) on April 17, 2026, where it was screened at Brussels Expo (Palais 10) as part of the international competition. The film is scheduled for release in South Korea in 2026.
Accolades +Awards and nominations received by the filmAward Date of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultBrussels International Fantastic Film Festival April 18, 2026 Silver Raven Tristes Tropiques September 16, 2026 Nouveau Genre Grand Prize Tristes Tropiques Sitges Film Festival October 18, 2025 Best feature film in the Òrbita section
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