by Ra Hwak Jin / Cha Min Kyung
[Episode 3] Along with the Gods 1&2 (2017-2018 Directed by Kim Yong-hwa)
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Lotte Entertainment, shows the poster for "Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
◇ "Along with the Gods" becomes
double 'cheonman' movie series
"Along with the Gods" is a film series that is based on the webtoon with
the same name title by Joo Ho-min. It was the biggest hit of all time among
Korean movies based on webtoons. In addition to the first movie "Along
with the Gods: The Two Worlds" attracting 14.41 million viewers, the sequel
"Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days" recorded 12.27 million
viewers. By garnering over 10 million or '천만·[cheon-man],'
in Korean, people, "Along with the Gods" is the only series to
achieve such results for all the movies included.
The story line of the movie, which is set in the afterlife and hell, is based on
Korea--especially Jeju--mythology, bringing friendliness and novelty at the
same time.
In the original webtoon, "Chasa-bonpuri," a Jeju myth on Gangnim, a
competent government official, turning into a grim reaper after being caught by
the eyes of the underworld king, "Moonjeon Bonpuri," a story of a
house god, and a story on grim reapers called "King Cheonji bonpuri,"
are incorporated in the story plot.
In addition, messages that anyone can relate to, such as maternal love or paternal
love, family conflict and forgiveness, causality and retribution, and didacticism are mixed in the movie
along with brilliant actions using computer graphics (CG).
◇ From one webtoon to movies, musicals, and animations, "Along with the Gods" becomes multi business idea
When author Joo Ho-min's popular webtoon was told to turn into a movie, many fans were busy deciding among themselves of which actor would fit best in each role.
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| ▲ This photo, taken by Konkuk University on Oct. 25, 2017, shows author Joo Ho-min giving a lecture to students. |
As the role of Jin Ki-han, the lawyer responsible for the "dead," who is one of the most important roles in the original webtoon, was found to be incorporated into the character of Gangrim, a messenger who takes the dead to King Yeomra, became a huge controversy among the webtoon fans.
The movie, which was a huge success by gaining more popularity than the webtoon itself, is now reportedly under production for the third and fourth movie.
In addition to movies, "Along with the Gods" was also made into a musical and divided into stories based on the underworld and the real world. The musical did not follow the movie's scenario and resembled more of the original webtoon.
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| ▲ This picture, taken on June 21, 2019, shows a part of the musical for "Along with the Gods." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The musical was also scheduled to enter Taiwan and other countries, but is currently on hold due to the spread of COVID-19. .
In Japan, the drawings on the webtoon for "Along with the Gods," were changed and remade into a comic book. China's QC Media also signed an animation production contract with Dexter Studio, the production company for the "Along with the Gods" film series.
◇ Leading actors from "Along with the
Gods" involved in controversy
Actor Ju Ji-hoon, one of the major characters in the film, earned huge fame
after appearing in the drama "Princess Hours," but was restricted on
appearing on TV after the actor was found guilty of taking ecstasy and ketamine
drugs in 2009. However, Ju has been on a roll ever since he appeared in "Along
with the Gods." Ju later emerged as a global star with his main role in
the Netflix thriller drama "Kingdom."
Ma Dong-seok, who plays the role of Seongju God (House Guardian God) in the
second sequel, later made headlines when he was selected to appear in the new
Marvel series "Eternals."
On the other hand, Ha Jung-woo, the leading character, has been indicted last
year on charges of illegally administering propofol, a sleeping anesthetic,
other than for treatment purposes. At a recent trial, he acknowledged the
allegations and said, "I regret my actions and am deeply reflecting on myself."
Ha Jung-woo even became the subject of gossip after his father, actor Kim
Yong-gun, admitted to be expecting a child with his 39 year younger girlfriend.
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Lotte Entertainment, shows actor Ha Jung-woo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Actor Oh Dal-su, who acts as a prosecutor in a supporting role of the first
movie, was exposed by his fellow female co-stars in regards to the "Me Too
Movement" shortly after "Along with the Gods" was released. Although
Oh had already finished filming his part in the second sequel, the actor's
scenes were later deleted. The police concluded the internal investigation of
Oh Dal-su on charges of sexual assault as "not guilty" on the grounds
that the period of complaint had expired.
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Lotte Entertainment, shows actor Oh Dal-su. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
◇ Director Kim's production company Dexter...The Best Stick of Korean Movie VFX
Dexter Studios, created by director Kim Yong-hwa, is not just a film production company for "Along with the Gods," but is Korea's largest visual effects (VFX) company. When director Kim directed the movie "Mr. Go," a story about an elderly gorilla wanting to play baseball in Korea, he realized the need for a VFX-specialized company and decided to create one on his own.
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| ▲ This photo, taken on Oct. 4, 2018, shows director Kim Yong-hwa on the red carpet for the opening ceremony of the 23rd Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Various CG and VFXs were used to portray the underworld, afterlife, and demons attacking the main characters, which ultimately became one of the biggest elements for the movie's success. Although there are some obvious visual effects in different scenes compared to Hollywood blockbusters, however it does not interfere with the immersion of the film.
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Lotte Entertaiment, shows a scene from "Along with the Gods" using VFX and CG. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Dexter Studio is said to play a big role in diversifying the genre of Korean films, including being in charge of the main VFX of the space science fiction film "Space Sweepers."
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