Production Designer Hojin Lee Reunites with Popkin Productions for Body Horror Film 'Meatballs'

Popkin Productions has announced Hojin Lee as the production designer for its upcoming feature film 'Meatballs,' a slow-burning body horror project exploring the psychological and physical deterioration of two roommates exposed to a bioweapon. Lee, who previously collaborated with director Benjamin T. Popkin on the award-winning short film 'The Monkey's Paw,' brings a proven track record of creating stylized horror environments with technical precision.

The film demands a nuanced approach to production design, as the apartment setting must visually mirror the characters' increasingly grotesque transformations. Lee will be responsible for designing the space's evolution from mundane realism to a disturbing, organic decay, working closely with practical effects, makeup, and cinematography teams to synchronize the set's transformation with the characters' psychological journey.

Lee's selection stems from her impressive work on 'The Monkey's Paw,' which received widespread acclaim and an 8.9/10 IMDb rating. The film's success at festivals like Follywood and Shockfest underscores her ability to create compelling visual narratives within constrained resources.

The project is set to begin pre-production in November 2025, with filming scheduled from January to February 2026. By pushing the boundaries of independent horror, 'Meatballs' represents an exciting exploration of visual storytelling and genre innovation.