CJENM
Director Kim Yong-hwa, renowned for his box office hits "Along with the Gods" in 2017 and 2018, both surpassing 10 million admissions, makes a triumphant return to the silver screen with his latest sci-fi endeavor, "The Moon." With an esteemed cast including Sol Kyung-gu, Do Kyung-soo, and Kim Hee-ae, the film is a culmination of Kim's lifelong desire to tell a captivating story set on the lunar surface, brought to life by Korea's cutting-edge visual effects.
During a press conference held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on Tuesday, Director Kim shared his creative inspiration, stating, "While shooting 'Along With the Gods,' I realized that even in a fantasy story, a realistic setting forms the foundation. After delving into the depths of hell in my previous work, I felt compelled to bring my long-held fascination with the Moon to the big screen."
"The Moon" revolves around Sun-woo (Do), a member of a spaceship crew who, following a mission gone awry, finds himself marooned on the Moon. Jae-kook (Sol), a former head of the space center, stumbles upon Sun-woo and joins forces with Moon-young (Kim), NASA's main director, in a race against time to effect his rescue.
To achieve a heightened sense of realism, Director Kim employed an iMax camera and 4K lens, making "The Moon" the first Korean film to utilize these technologies. With an astonishing array of 45 different camera lenses, carefully chosen to capture the distinctive essence of Earth and outer space scenes, Kim meticulously crafted the film during an extensive preproduction phase.
Reflecting on the challenges of previous projects involving blue screens, Kim expressed his commitment to creating authentic filming environments. Every detail, from the intricate lunar rover that Do rides on the Moon to the construction of the sets themselves, was meticulously designed with guidance from Korean space experts. In their pursuit of authenticity, the production team even sourced materials and equipment used by NASA, underscoring their dedication to bringing audiences an unparalleled cinematic experience.
Growing up immersed in films that offered immersive experiences, Kim felt a deep sense of responsibility to provide viewers with the same level of satisfaction. He explained, "After 'Along With the Gods,' I felt it was my turn to give back to the audience, to offer them an opportunity to experience the utmost audiovisual pleasures in the theater."
For the esteemed cast, which includes Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Hee-ae, and Do Kyung-soo, collaborating on a story set in outer space brought a sense of intrigue and excitement. Do expressed his initial astonishment upon reading the script, remarking, "Discovering such a unique and captivating story set in the sci-fi genre was truly amazing. I had no idea that this kind of film could be made in Korea."
Kim Hee-ae, primarily known for her work in dramas, found herself exhilarated by the chance to delve into the sci-fi genre. She credited the stellar cast and the exceptional direction of Kim Yong-hwa for heightening her expectations and making the filming process a joyous and rewarding experience.
For Sol Kyung-gu, who had longed to collaborate with Director Kim for over 17 years, the opportunity to finally work together was a remarkable journey. Speaking highly of Kim's directorial style, Sol emphasized his ability to look beyond the struggles of an actor, pushing boundaries and delivering unexpected surprises.
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