10 Facts About Space Sweepers, The New Netflix South Korean Movie That Starred Song Joongki

Though the not-so-recent divorce proceedings have somewhat “tainted” his otherwise stellar image, Song Joong Ki is undoubtedly still hot property in the general entertainment market. So it’s little wonder why his newest movie, Space Sweepers, would be pushed under the ginormous, gleaming spotlight.

Touted to be the first Korean space blockbuster, the film boasts an all-star cast ensemble, and looks set to dominate Netflix – where it was released just recently.

10 Facts About Space Sweepers, The New Netflix South Korean Movie That Stars Song Joongki

1. Plotline

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the synopsis of the film is as follows:

“After snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, Spaceship Victory’s crew members find a 7-year-old girl inside. They realize that she’s the humanlike robot wanted by UTS Space Guards and decide to demand ransom in exchange.”

It should be noted that the plotline has drawn comparisons to Cowboy Bebop – a legendary Japanese science fiction anime television series.

In both renditions, the Earth is described as being near uninhabitable, and the stories follow a motley bunch of bounty hunters who are out for rewards.

2. Trailer

Several trailers have since been released – with the most recent one being posted on YouTube two weeks ago.

The film was first teased a whole eight months ago.

3. Cast

Directed by Jo Sung-hee, the film stars Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu and Yoo Hae-jin.

Other cast members include Richard Armitage, Kim Mu-yeol, Park Ye-rin and Carla Fernanda Ávila.

4. Release Date

The film was released on Netflix on 5 February 2021.

It is currently trending in the Top Ten list in Singapore, and from what we see, Netflix appears to be pushing it quite aggressively; most of us see it on our Netflix homepage.

5. Reviews

Over on Rotten Tomatoes, the film commands an 84% audience score – not a bad notion by any means.

Critics, however, had mixed feelings. While two were appeased by the space flick, three ended up expressing their disappointment at the flick.

In general, the consensus appears to be that Space Sweepers manages to boast some slick visuals and explosions (if you’ve watched it, the special effects are on par with Hollywood’s standard), but the plot may leave more to be desired.

“And yet, for all the stunning visuals and exciting effects-laden action sequences, “Space Sweepers” mostly misses its mark,” said Casey Chong from Casey’s Movie Mania.

Meanwhile, the film scored 6.7/10 on IMDb.

6. Ten Years In The Making

Apparently, director Jo Sung-hee penned the story a whole ten years before the film’s release.

The idea supposedly stemmed from a conversation about the perils of space junk.

“It started with the idea of space travellers collecting space junk. [He] heard about how these fast-moving fragments of space debris are growing and leading to in-space collisions [and] realized that this subject has already been dealt with in animations and games, but never in a film. [He] started writing the script wondering how Koreans, who possess a tenacious mentality, would approach this problem.”

7. Investment

In May 2019, Chinese multinational entertainment company Huayi Tencent chipped in with a hefty $4.2 million investment.

Visual effects company Dexter Studios, which helped to produce the action films Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds and Ashfall, was subsequently hired for the film.

Principal photography commenced on 3 July 2019, and filming concluded on 2 November.

8. Second Collaboration

This is not the first time that Jo Sung-hee has reins over Song Joong Ki’s acting chops.

In June 2018, it was announced that Song had consented to star in the director’s next work – making it their second partnership after A Werewolf Boy (2012).

Interestingly, Song had reportedly joined the project without reading the script beforehand. All he knew was that Director Jo will be directing a space sci-fi movie – a notion that felt “new and fresh” to him.

Apparently, he first heard of the project on the set of A Werewolf Boy. When he was offered the role ten years later, he purportedly accepted it instantly.

9. Webtoon

On 26 May 2020, a webtoon adaptation of the film was launched on Daum and KakaoPage.

Yes, unlike Sweet Home that was adapted from a webtoon, this webtoon is adapted from the movie.

10. Release

Originally slated for a June 2020 release, the film ended up getting delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In August, the film was postponed yet again due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in South Korea.

In November 2020, it was reported that the film will be released via streaming platform Netflix.

Though the actors have admitted their disappointment that the film won’t get the big-screen treatment, they have taken it in their stride – with Kim Tae Ri happy that they’re still able to meet the audience (via the platform).

In fact, she has even shared her own tip on how to secure the best streaming experience possible.

“When you’re watching it at home, just pay more attention to the sound effects. Make sure that the volume is very loud, and I think that would make [the film] more vivid and intense,” Kim Tae Ri said.

Jin Sun Kyu, on the other hand, advised the audience to watch “in a spacious area with the lights off and with friends and family”, to ensure a “more spectacular experience.”

Meanwhile, Director Jo has expressed his excitement at seeing response to the film.

“We are going to meet the audience of 190 countries, and I just want all of the people across the world to understand that there’s a large variety of movies being produced in Korea,” he added.

You can watch the film on Netflix now.

And lest you’re not aware, if you die-die want to watch it on the slightly bigger screen (i.e. TV) and you don’t have a Smart TV, you can buy a Google Chromecast to project the movie on your TV.

A Chromecast cost less than $60 and will “turn” your traditional digital TV into a Smart TV. Kind of lah.

Featured Image: Netflix