Whispering Corridors 3: Wishing Stairs (2003): Bloody Dancers
2003 • Yoon Jae-yeon • 1.85:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓
The third instalment in the Whispering Corridors horror series, Wishing Stairs (2003) by Yun Jae-yeon, is set in an elite girls’ high school where there is a legend about a staircase that grants wishes if counted correctly (29 steps instead of 28). Two ballet students who are close friends and rivals become embroiled in a web of jealousy, ambition, and guilt after one of them makes a fatal wish.
Like all entries in the series, this one features the characteristic visual elements of a South Korean high school, such as the organisation of the classrooms and the uniforms. However, it also deals with themes such as bullying, overworked students, abusive adult figures and a sense of despair. However, Wishing Stairs also relies on horror tropes, particularly in its depiction of ghostly apparitions and bloody consequences.
The film also focuses on art, from drawings and sculptures to dancing. Ballet lies at the heart of the story alongside the unbalanced friendship and the famous stairs. Visually, however, the film is reminiscent of the early 2000s surge of Korean horror cinema.
Technical Specs:
- The Story: At a competitive all-girls art school, two ballet students’ friendship turns to rivalry when a mysterious staircase said to grant wishes appears, awakening a vengeful spirit that feeds on jealousy and guilt. Read my review of Wishing Stairs.
- Actors: Song Ji-hyo, Park Han-byul, Jo An, Park Ji-yeon, Gong Sang-a, Lee Mi-yeon.
- Director: Yoon Jae-yeon
- Year: 2003
- Cinematographer: Seo Jeong-min
- Origin: Korean Cinema
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Genre: Horror & Supernatural
