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The Victory spacecraft crew is played by Kim Tae-ri, Song Joong-ki, and Yoo Hai-in.
Netflix
NASA estimates that there are already millions of pieces of space junk orbiting Earth, moving at speeds of up to 18,000 miles per hour, almost seven times faster than a bullet. In director Jo Sung-hee’s thrilling sci-fi epic Space sweepers, collecting that dangerous debris has become an ongoing mission, often employing people financially desperate enough to risk their lives.
One such debris recovery team is played by Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, and Jin Sun-kyu, with Yoo Hai-in voicing the ship’s card game robot and prank. Seemingly jaded, reckless, and often involved in petty squabbles, the crew scours outer space for debris to earn a living. Life on earth is not an attractive option. By 2092, the land is almost uninhabitable.
The growing danger from space debris has long puzzled the film’s director, Jo Sung-hee.
“What interested me the most was the speed,” Jo said. “Because these discarded objects move faster than bullets, they destroy anything they come in contact with. Debris drifting through space was a fascinating subject for me. From the research I learned that several animated movies and games have already covered this topic. I was particularly influenced by the 1995 sci-fi movie Memories which featured a crew salvaging space debris. So I started working on the script for a story reinterpreted for Korean audiences. “
Jo started working on the movie 10 years ago, but during that time she also wrote and directed two other movies, A wolf child starring Song and Park Bo-young, and Ghost detective, starring Lee Je-hoon and Kim Sung-kyun. Jo won an award for best director for A wolf boy at the 49th Baeksang Arts Awards.
“I was working on other projects while honing the ideas in my head,” Jo said. “During that period, Korean films began to address diverse themes, and computer graphics technology evolved so much that a film of this nature was conceivable. I was able to keep the project going because I became more and more convinced of its potential as time went on. “
The Victory spacecraft crew encounters an unexpected stowaway.
Netflix
It was the second time that Jo worked with Song. Starring A wolf boy helped the actor become a box office star. Jo thought Song would be perfect as Space sweepers character Tae-ho, a scavenger with a tortured conscience.
“Song Joong-ki has all the characteristics that Tae-ho should have,” Jo said. “I wanted Tae-ho’s character to be sometimes hot-blooded and sometimes cold-minded. Song Joong-ki agreed with this portrayal of Tae-ho. And honestly, it would be more correct to say that Song Joong-ki chose this movie than I chose him. He recognized the potential of the film and wanted to be a part of it. That was a great source of encouragement for me. “
Space sweepers has garnered attention for being the “first Korean film in space”, but it is certainly not the first Korean science fiction film.
“Many science fiction films are made in Korea and receive praise from the public and critics,” Jo said. “Space sweepers it’s just one of those sci-fi movies, with the only difference being space as a backdrop. And many movies set in space have been in the planning stages for some time, and some of them are currently in production. So I don’t think it’s too important to be “first.” My only hope is that Space sweepers it is well positioned in the Korean film industry as it ventures into various genres. “
Space sweepers It may be a sci-fi action movie, with electrifying special effects, but it has an emotional tie. During a recovery effort, the spacecraft crew encounters Dorothy, played by Park Ye-rin. Dorothy looks like a girl, but the news describes her as a potentially lethal robot. At first, the crew want to exchange a reward, but interacting with it prompts them to act more humane and realize that money isn’t the only thing that matters. With his innocent smiles, Park often steals scenes from his fellow actors.
For Jo, the best part of directing the film was working with the cast and crew.
“I really appreciated and enjoyed working with such talented artists,” said Jo. “All actors and staff members are creators in their own areas of expertise. Directors have the privilege and pleasure of working with creators from various fields and witnessing their creative development ”.
According to Jo, the film owes its success to artistic collaboration.
“Space Sweepers the director, actors, and staff members of the Korean film industry did different things for the first time. So compared to other movies, we had to discuss and test more things. Although difficult at times, these trial and error experiences were memorable and enjoyable. “
While Jo has no immediate plans for another movie, she hopes to do more in the future.
“I want to keep making movies and do it more often,” Jo said. “I’ve had long breaks between films, but I hope to work harder and be more prolific.”
