Director KIM Yong Hwa
From the afterlife to the Moon,
ALONG WITH THE GODS’ Director KIM Yong Hwa presents
a thrilling space survival drama
This summer, the extraordinary universe brought to life by Director KIM Yong Hwa unfolds on the big screen. THE MOON tells the story of a Korean astronaut who embarks on a lunar exploration mission but encounters an unexpected accident, leading to a distress signal on the Moon. Former Naro Space Center flight director Jae-gook, along with the remaining people on Earth, engage in a fierce battle against the elements to safely bring him back.
Director KIM Yong Hwa, known for hits like 200 POUNDS BEAUTY and TAKE OFF, as well as the groundbreaking ALONG WITH THE GODS series that set an unprecedented record of over 20 million admissions in Korean cinema history, now turns his gaze to space, vividly showcasing the familiar yet vast world of the Moon. KIM believes that Korean film technology has sufficiently advanced to create a distinctiveness from other space-themed films, and ambitiously aims to create a work that satisfies both technical prowess and emotional richness. He stated, “I wanted to create a film that not only demonstrates technical excellence but also fulfills emotional depth, believing that Korean cinema has grown enough to set itself apart from many other space-themed films.”
In 2022, South Korea’s first lunar exploration spacecraft, the Danuri-ho took flight, carrying out various scientific missions. With the successful third launch of the Korean-made spacecraft Danuri-ho in May this year, South Korea is already making significant progress towards becoming a space power. What makes THE MOON special is that “it presents a story that is realistically possible under the technological prowess of Korea”, as Director KIM Yong Hwa puts it. THE MOON portrays the future of manned lunar exploration, which could soon become a reality, based on the current development of Korea as a space powerhouse. It raises the level of realism by depicting the mission that is happening in Korea, highlighting the significant strides the country is making in space exploration. THE MOON provides a different kind of excitement from other space science fiction films, offering a rich imagination while grounded in reality. It showcases the first spaceship, Woori-ho, to set foot on the Moon and the space crew that plants the Korean flag on its surface. It also includes the collection of ice samples known to exist on the moon. With a solid foundation in reality, the film presents a unique and enjoyable cinematic experience.
Another captivating aspect of THE MOON is the intense survival drama built on thorough scientific verification and consultation. It depicts the isolation of the astronauts in the vast and unknown lunar environment, his determination to complete the mission, and the relentless efforts of former flight director Jae-gook to rescue him. Their solidarity surpasses the 384,000 kilometers between the Moon and Earth. The film showcases the unwavering will, sense of mission, urgency, and humanity in the face of the determination to “survive” and “save lives,” ultimately proving the power of compassion in the pitch-black darkness of space. The actors emphasized the film’s appeal, saying, “The spectacle of the vast universe is intertwined with the story of humanity” (SUL Kyung Gu) and “It is a movie that gives hope, courage, and comfort” (DOH Kyung Soo). Audiences are eagerly anticipating THE MOON, a film that can be seen with their eyes, ears, and hearts. Whether it will successfully land in the orbit of the audience’s expectations remains to be seen, but it is certainly a film not to be missed in theaters this summer.
