[On the Record] Asked Director Kim Yong-hwa about "Moon, Space, and Shinpa"

Interview with Director Kim Yong-hwa of the Movie 'The Moon'

First Korean Film Set on the Moon Challenges Summer Box Office
Confident in Appealing Korean-style SF to Overseas Markets

Director Kim Yong-hwa (51), who attracted 26 million viewers with the movie series 'Along with the Gods' (2017?2018), returns with 'The Moon,' the first Korean film about a manned spacecraft exploring the moon. The film, which poured in 28.6 billion KRW in production costs, was released on the 2nd and is currently meeting audiences.

In recent years, several moon-themed movies and dramas have been planned in the industry. Since massive capital investment is inevitable, it was not easy to start production. Many projects were canceled during the planning stage. Only Kim Yong-hwa, who established Dexter Studios, renowned for its outstanding VFX (visual effects), completed a film.

Director Kim Yong-hwa Photo by CJ ENM

The leads are actors Seol Kyung-gu and Do Kyung-soo (D.O.). Veteran actor Seol Kyung-gu, known for his acting skills, and Do Kyung-soo, who previously worked with Kim in 'Along with the Gods,' play the former space center director and a crew member stranded in space during a moon mission. The project began as soon as Do Kyung-soo was discharged from military service.

On the afternoon of the 28th of last month, Kim met with Asia Economy at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and said, "Do Kyung-soo is someone who doesn't say much but is comfortable to be with." He added, "We share similar introverted personalities," showing his affection.

During the filming of 'Along with the Gods,' Kim and Do Kyung-soo were somewhat awkward. Although they filmed together for five months, Do Kyung-soo, who had limited film experience, found the acclaimed director Kim Yong-hwa a challenging figure. Kim laughed, saying, "I think I am the gentlest director on set." He recalled, "There were many actors at the time, so there wasn't much time to get close."

The Real-Life Model for Hwang Sun-woo is Johnny Kim, an Astronaut Aspirant

Why was Do Kyung-soo cast as Hwang Sun-woo? Kim said, "There were many actors who could have drawn more attention with their acting, but when I thought about who would be the best and shine the most as Hwang Sun-woo, Do Kyung-soo came to mind."

Hwang Sun-woo, a former UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) member, is modeled after Johnny Kim, a Korean-American. Johnny Kim enlisted in the U.S. Navy SEALs in 2002, carrying out over 100 combat missions in Iraq and elsewhere, earned a degree from Harvard Medical School, and worked as a resident at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Johnny Kim was also selected for NASA's astronaut program, beating a 1500:1 competition ratio, and completed the training. However, he was not finally selected for the 2024 manned lunar exploration project 'Artemis.'

'The Moon' still (left) Johnny Kim [Photo by CJ ENM, NASA]

Kim said, "He is a remarkable person who sublimated the pain of childhood abuse. He was a Navy SEAL, a doctor, and dreamed of becoming an astronaut. The moment I saw him, I thought he was a cinematic model."

He continued, "I definitely want to invite him and show him 'The Moon.' If I meet Johnny Kim, who has lived a tough life and possesses insight, I hope to gain artistic inspiration."

The day before the interview, Kim held a special screening in Daejeon with government agencies, research institutes, and private companies specializing in spacecraft research and lunar exploration. He smiled, saying, "I felt good."

"During the stage greeting, I received bigger cheers than the actors for the first time in 20 years as a director. Aerospace science experts encouraged me, saying 'Well made.' Dr. Shin Chae-kyung, an astronomer, wrote a piece and read it in front of colleagues, which was an exciting experience."

Reason for Focusing on the Moon's Far Side Instead of the Near Side

Director Kim Yong-hwa [Photo by CJ ENM]

Kim also expressed expectations for overseas audience response. He said, "'The Moon' is expected to receive a bigger reaction overseas than 'Along with the Gods.' Foreign audiences don't expect many Korean-style SF (science fiction) films, but I want 'The Moon' to change that." He added with a smile, "I heard that Do Kyung-soo, a member of EXO, has popularity beyond Asia, even on a universal scale, so I have high hopes."

The film stimulates imagination by setting the background on the relatively unfamiliar far side of the moon, rather than the well-known near side. Kim explained, "There is a huge crack on the far side of the moon. Meteoroid showers fall countless times on Earth, and they can be seen with the naked eye when entering the atmosphere. Through expert consultation, I learned that it is possible to set meteoroid showers falling like bombs on Earth and the moon. I thought that level of artistic license was acceptable."

"The Danuri probe is sending photos taken in ultra-high resolution. While the near side of the moon has a calm and warm atmosphere, with even tales of rabbits living there, the far side is bombarded by meteoroid showers and looks somewhat grotesque. I pondered how to express this through research."

The moon is depicted in monochrome grayscale, contrasting with the unknown space and adding dramatic tension through sharp textures. Kim said, "Usually, moon scenes are rendered with some saturation and various effects, but 'The Moon' is different. No one has expressed it like this before, but I wanted to portray the moon as close to reality as possible."

Still from 'The Moon' [Photo by CJ ENM]

He added, "It was expressed without any stray light or atmospheric effects. The lower the saturation, the broader the scope of imagination. I used strong contrast and monochrome to express it. Through extreme contrasts of brightness and darkness, it was portrayed sharply and crisply. I focused on texture expression."

Director's Response to Criticism of Melodrama

The emotional turmoil in the setting to rescue the crew member drifting in space arises. While the film balances genre entertainment and narrative, some criticize 'The Moon' for having somewhat melodramatic elements. Regarding this, Kim acknowledged, "Of course, that can be the case. I don't want to oppose that opinion." He added, "As a maker of popular films, I believe there should be an appropriate level of emotional drive from the audience's perspective."

He said, "Emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure should be included in proper proportions. Should sadness appearing at the right moment be labeled melodrama?" He continued, "I don't think so. It is not about overusing such elements without plausibility or having prolonged sadness. The complex emotions are well blended, so I believe the audience will judge well."

As in his previous works, Kim Yong-hwa conveys a message about people and forgiveness in 'The Moon.' The director emphasized, "Everyone makes mistakes and sins to some extent. There are many occasions to be forgiven. It's not just about 'living kindly,' but about having the courage to seek forgiveness. It's the most difficult but the coolest action."

Director Kim Yong-hwa [Photo by CJ ENM]

In recent years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact, theaters have shrunk, and demand for online video service (OTT) content has increased, changing the market. Even a director with over 20 million viewers faces considerable pressure releasing films in theaters under these circumstances. Especially with four Korean blockbuster films, including 'The Moon,' each costing hundreds of billions of won, competing at the box office is inevitable, making it difficult to maintain composure.

Kim said, "The culture of theater viewing has changed. I am thinking a lot about it. If there is a proper distribution between theater films and content for TV, theaters will regain competitiveness." He added, "How we interpret and accept the restructuring of the theater industry is a challenge. We should embrace it as a new culture." He emphasized, "I want to continue my efforts and not neglect making films like 'The Moon' that must be seen in theaters."

While accepting the situation, he did not lose confidence. He said, "Watching movies in theaters is a festival where strangers gather. The human desire for communal viewing has always existed. The cinematic experience enjoyed on a large screen with rich sound is only possible in theaters. I hope audiences enjoy content with sufficient audiovisual elements in theaters."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.