Song Joong Ki is back! And he made sure that it is a resounding return!
Breaking his hiatus, Song Joong Ki returns to South Korea’s first space science fiction film, Space Sweepers. Since its launched on Netflix, the movie has been sealing the top spot rank on the world’s largest entertainment service platform.
Sharing thoughts with an interview, the actor expressed various thoughts about his latest venture.
Vividly depicting in detail the crew of a cosmic waste management spacecraft who discover a humanlike robot, named Dorothy; Space Sweepers revolves to an innovative concept, that viewers would be able to empathize. It is the first space science fiction film in Korean cinema and has received great attention from the production stage.
Portraying the role of Tae-ho, a genius space pilot, Song relayed feeling grateful for the reception of the movie. With a production of 24 billion won, the pandemic situation hindered its theater opening, and was later released on Netflix. Since its first release on February 5, it has been garnering attention and has been ranked No. 1 in the world on the platform.
The actor disclosed receiving messages of warm words about the film and even his family watching it at a campsite. “I’m grateful for the picture of watching Space Sweepers while munching on chicken and drinking canned beer at home.” He added how it is a warming picture that a lot of people can watch it at home.
Regarding the regret of not being able to have a theater release, he said, “I saw it on a big screen. I also saw it on a laptop. I have experienced both. There seems to be no particular difference.” Song Joong Ki emphasized, “I also watch a lot of Netflix on my day off. I think the times have changed. There is no regret.”
On Challenging Story Genres
Song Joong Ki also shared, “I was happy to receive a text message from friends that they saw it in Hong Kong, UK, and Colombia. The most important thing I think is that it reaches the public at the right time. You can’t live with everything satisfied, he added.”
Expressing his goal to challenge his artistry, he responded how the expectations on Space Sweepers did not burden him at all. His long list of impressive roles traces from A Werewolf Boy, The Battleship Island, Descendants of the Sun and Arthdal Chronicles.
“There was no burden at all. I have a steady desire to try a lot of different genres. [For Space Sweepers] I had a desire to do well because it was a genre I hadn’t tried. People around me say that I choose boldly, but I don’t know if I’m bold. I just do something that gravitates to me. So, I did.”
Acknowledging humbly, he said, “I don’t know if I’m a big enough person to make a difference on Korean movies or dramas. I’m just instinctively attracted to it. I have a lot of passion to do other genres.”
For Space Sweepers, aside from the genre challenge, Song also played the role of a loving father. He set aside his powerful position to take care of his adopted daughter Suni.
Honestly confessing it was a difficult task, he pondered how he would be able to express it in a way that will draw sympathy from the audience. He also shared how he can empathize with Tae-ho’s character especially his indecisiveness and inability to move on and change. He is also a person who goes back and forth between hope and resignation.
Working on Space Sweepers
With regard to Taeho, Song Joong Ki said, “I was in a state of ‘desperation’ like Tae-ho before filming.” Around that time, the actor suffered from divorce with Song Hye Kyo. When asked about the meaning of “desperation”, Song faintly replied that its literal meaning is true to everyone. “My condition was similar at that time. I want to tell you in detail, but since I’m a private person, I want to leave it as it is.”
It has already been close to 10 years with his last work with director Jo Sung-hee in A Werewolf Boy. Song Joong-ki said, “It has no personal meaning for returning to the screen. It has a great meaning to work with Director Jo.”
He said, “When I was working with A Werewolf Boy, I and Park Bo Young were rookies, and it was the first time that PD Jo Sung Hee debuted in the movie. It is because of that beginning that’s why I have a lot of love for Director Jo,” he said.
“As a director and personal friend, he is a person with great significance. “It’s an honor and a good thing as an actor to do two of the three episodes you’ve done so far. I like the director and I also like the director’s narrative.”
Space Sweepers was a project in which Director Jo Sung-hee had a draft before A Werewolf Boy, and he also encountered the project early on. At first, Tae-ho’s age was different from Song Joong Ki, but after revising, he took over.
Song said, “When I received the proposal, I was already thinking of doing it. I had faith in the film history, and especially in Director Jo,” I made my choice before reading the script.”
When asked about his fellow film actors, Song mentioned how even if it was the first time for him working with them, the synergy was spot on. Their filming was open and they share united thinking.
After Space Sweepers, Song Joong Ki is decked to a new tvN series also to be streamed on Netflix in Vincenzo.
Source: SPOTV News
Photos: Netflix
