Netflix debuted today a teaser for Lost in Starlight, its first Korean animated film. The pic will debut May 30.
With Korean animation currently having a moment, Netflix could not have chosen a more opportune time to release this title. This past weekend, King of Kings surpassed Parasite to become the highest-grossing Korean film ever released in the United States and Canada, while another Korean feature — Bo-Sol Kim’s The Square — was recently selected to screen in competition at both Annecy and Tribeca. Not to mention, last week the Korean government revealed ambitious plans to support and expand the country’s animation industry, pledging to invest over $1 billion in the next five years.
Netflix is bringing audiences Lost in Starlight from Han Ji-Won, whose debut film Clearer Than You Think (2015) was released when she was 25 years old. She is claimed to be the youngest Korean to release a theatrical animated feature.
Lost in Starlight is set in 2050 and tells the story of an astronaut dreaming of Mars and a musician with a broken dream who find each other among the stars, guided by their hopes and love for one another:
Netflix’s press release offers additional details on the film’s story and tone:
Set against a starry sky, the near-future version of Seoul in 2050 is strange yet familiar. Retro objects like a record player and vinyl albums add a cozy, nostalgic touch, building excitement for the unique retro-cyberpunk universe that Lost in Starlight will bring to life. The teaser trailer opens with the fateful first meeting of Nan-young and Jay, accompanied by the film’s evocative soundtrack. When Nan-young visits an audio equipment repair shop to fix an old record player her mom left behind, she runs into Jay, and a romance slowly blossoms. Director Bong Joon-ho describes the film as, “This visual masterpiece takes you around the universe,” fueling excitement for director Han Ji-won’s intricate and fantastical visual storytelling.
Scenes of Nan-young and Jay enjoying adorable dates in different parts of 2050 Seoul — Sewoon Plaza, the submersible bridge, and more — are beautifully depicted on-screen through director Han Ji-won’s masterful drawings, capturing the heart-fluttering emotions of new love. But as Nan-young leaves for Mars, she inevitably has to leave Jay behind. How will the two navigate their journey toward their dreams and love?
A new poster was also released today:
