Sayart.net - ＂The Moon＂ Aims to Redefine Korean Sci-Fi Cinema, featuring EXO′s D.O. and a Stellar Cast

CJ ENM

In a bid to break the mold of conventional Korean sci-fi cinema, the highly anticipated film "The Moon" seeks to captivate audiences with a gripping space survival story, featuring a stellar cast including Do Kyung-soo, better known as D.O. of the renowned boy band EXO, alongside Sul Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae. As one of four domestically produced films aiming to rejuvenate the South Korean film industry this summer, "The Moon" is set to make its mark alongside "Smugglers," "Ransomed," and "Concrete Utopia."

"The Moon" unfolds on both Earth and the moon, tracing the journey of a team of scientists and astronauts tasked with rescuing an astronaut left stranded on the lunar surface. D.O. portrays Seon-woo, the isolated astronaut, while Sul takes on the role of Jae-guk, the resolute leader of the team on Earth, determined to bring Seon-woo home.

At a recent press conference held at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul, director Kim Yong-hwa emphasized the film's multi-layered narrative, skillfully weaving elements of sadness, delight, and hope amidst the characters' struggles. Renowned for his past works, including "Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds" (2017) and "Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days" (2018), Kim's "The Moon" marks his seventh feature film, all of which have centered around themes of condolence and forgiveness.

Mindful of comparisons that could arise with Hollywood blockbusters like "The Martian" (2015), "Interstellar" (2014), and "Gravity" (2013), Kim deliberately refrained from watching such films during the preparation process to maintain an unbiased creative approach.

For the production, Do Kyung-soo underwent three months of rigorous training to execute the challenging scenes of floating in simulated "space." The dedication extended to the cast performing most actions by hand, suspended from wires, with animation stepping in only where necessary. Do praised the film's immersive set design and astronaut attire, enabling him to fully immerse himself in his role.

Portraying a space expert and head of the rescue team, Sul Kyung-gu faced his own set of challenges in memorizing complex space and scientific jargon. He found solace in reacting to Do's performance to bring authenticity to his character.

Kim Hee-ae, who assumes the role of a NASA director, faced her own language-related hurdles, having to deliver most of her lines in English. Despite initial difficulties, she eventually overcame the language barrier to deliver a heartfelt performance.

"The Moon" emerges as a promising endeavor to reshape the landscape of Korean sci-fi cinema, offering audiences a captivating tale of courage, resilience, and human connection in the vastness of space. Directed by Kim Yong-hwa, the film is set to grace theaters on August 2, aiming to captivate viewers with its thought-provoking themes and stellar performances from its talented cast.

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