Kim Tae-Ri (KTR): The biggest reason why I decided to join the cast was, of course, my character. Captain Jang is a simple person, but has a kind heart, which I was drawn to. It was also a special character that I hadn’t seen before. Secondly, I was excited about the film being the “first of its kind.” I wondered, “How would the first Korean space sci-fi turn out and how can I contribute to this project?”

Jin Sun-Kyu (JSK): The moment I learned that it was a sci-fi film, I was drawn to the project as I had been wanting to try a new genre for a while. The script was very fun, and it made me feel like I was working on a Hollywood film. Everything about the film was new and intriguing, so I let the production team know that I wanted to participate in this project as soon as I finished reading the script. 

Yoo Hae-Jin (YHJ): I thought everyone in the cast, Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, and Jin Sun-kyu, was quite similar in personality. We had a fair share of laughs on set, but at the same time, I felt calm and focused working with the rest of the cast. I thought that the chemistry among the cast was great. 

JSK: It was really great. I think everyone on this project—the director, filming crew, and cast—is quite similar in personality. Director Jo is both a great person and a talented director. Everyone would often mention how great the relationship among the cast and the overall filming crew was on set. 

KTR: It was great. After all, the film is a story about the crew on board Victory who are much like a family under the leadership of Captain Jang. I got along with the rest of the cast from the very beginning. And I gradually became close to the filming crew as well, so I could get a lot of great energy from everyone on set

Q: Please tell us what Space Sweepers is about and how you came up with the story. 

Director Jo Sung-Hee: The story for the film started around 2008 or 2009 from a conversation I had with a friend of mine, who told me about space junk. I learned that disposed industrial objects in space, or space debris, move extremely fast. I imagined that it would be very hazardous to collect and clean up the debris flying around faster than bullets. The story really began with two ideas: space debris and space workers who clean up the debris.

Q: SJK, how did you feel about working with director Jo Sung-hee again after A Werewolf Boy? 

SJK: When I first listened to the plot of Space Sweepers while we were still filming for A Werewolf Boy, I thought it was exactly the kind of lovely and heart-warming film that director Jo Sung-hee would make. After receiving the script, I couldn’t keep myself from reading it through and the first thought that struck me was: “Director Jo never disappoints!” I genuinely have such great faith in director Jo. When he mentioned that he would pass the script to me, I already made up my mind to take on the project without even reading it yet. I was so happy to be able to work with him on our second project together where he brought another amazing idea onto the screen.

Q. Tell us about your character and what you focused on to bring the character to life.

KTR: Captain Jang is the commander of the debris-collecting spaceship Victory. She gets a lot of headache because of her troublemaking crew, but she is charismatic, smart, competent, and all in all, very cool. She is the leader among a group of people. As you follow the story of the film, I’m confident that you will clearly see how she leads her people in this spaceship and why she is considered the captain.

SJK: Tae-ho is the pilot of the spaceship Victory and has an unmatched ability as a pilot. He is also an opportunist and realist who values money more than anything in the world. As soon as I read the script, I first decided that I would not try to look cool in this film. Tae-ho seems like a cheerful guy, but he carries sadness in him underneath that facade, so I wanted to portray that duality of the character well.

JSK: Tiger Park is in charge of the engine room of Victory. He is physically strong and can sometimes be rough, but surprisingly, he is also the one who runs the household on the spaceship. 

YJH: Bubs is a robot that throws a harpoon to collect space debris on board the debris collection spaceship Victory. He does much of the hard labor required, and therefore, complains a lot. I know I may be biased, but he is such an adorable character. But when he collects space debris or fights the enemy, he can be of great help because he has stronger power than humans.

Q. Please share a short message for the viewers.

KTR: We have created Korea’s first sci-fi film set in space after celebrating the 100th anniversary of Korean cinema recently. We worked very hard to create a family film that can be enjoyed by everyone, so I hope you are excited to watch it. On top of the visual spectacles created by VFX, the film is filled with heart-warming stories of individual characters, so I hope you enjoy it.

Mark you calendar and watch Space Sweepers on 5 February at your comfort home!

photo credit to Netflix