Netflix has launched its first Korean animated film,This Star Needed, a story set in 2050 that intertwines the dreams of exploring Mars with the worldwide themes of love and ambition. The film features the voices of Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung in the Korean version, with Justin H. Min and Mate Rama Crisinan lending their talents to the English dub. The narrative centers on Nan-young, voiced by Kim Tae-ri, and Jay, voiced by Hong Kyung, as they navigate a romance born from shared dreams.

A romance Among the Stars

This Star Needed explores the emotional landscape of two individuals who find love at a pivotal moment in their lives, when their dreams seem to be on hold. The film delves into the multifaceted nature of love and the pursuit of aspirations. Kim Tae-ri and Hong kyung’s performances have garnered meaningful praise, mirroring the positive reception of Justin H. Min, known for his role in Netflix’s Angry People and Devil’s Plan: Death Room, and Mate Rama Crisinan from the series Never Have I Ever. Min’s vocal performance, particularly his singing, has been a highlight for many viewers.

Kim Tae-ri on Nan-young: An Interview

Kim Tae-ri shared her insights into her character and the making of the film:

• Why she chose This Star Needed: The lines and narrations in the scenario were really good.I was thrilled as I read, and I was so excited to imagine acting in it. Before I became an actor, I was very interested in acting, and I was curious about A to Z in the animation work, so I was grateful for being able to join the work.
• The charm of Nan-young: I think it’s ordinary. there are some parts of the universal empathy, such as living with the wounds of Nan-young, and falling in love and breaking up. Those parts are fully different from the times we live in, but it truly seems to be attractive to cheering for ‘Nan-young’ deeply.
• Preparing for Nan-young’s voice: The voice acting had to spit out and spit out at the correct timing and to act as a living person. Based on Nan-young’s professional reliability, the trauma that is revealed in everyday life, and the differentials of meeting Jay, he met with the director several times and read it with a scene by scene.
• The live-action process: There were a lot of fun things in the work process, especially the live -action shooting. He memorized all the lines of some scenes and acted like a theatre stage with a long breath. I thought it was important to be immersed and acting as much as possible, and I didn’t think it was important to know what they were doing. I was very impressed with the fact that I was actually reflected in the work of the day and acted as an actor in the creative process of inspiring the character’s feelings and breathing.
• Working with Hong Kyung: [악귀] Afterwards, I met again and could work happily. I first participated in my voice acting and talked frequently enough. If you care about your voice, you were able to work together with concerns about the parts that were trapped or constant.
• Working with Director Han Ji-won: It is a very flexible and free person who willing to listen and melt the good parts. I feel happiness while working with a person who loves my work purely, and I’m warm and cool like ‘Nan-young’ like ‘this star’. I was grateful to be able to be with Han Ji -won and I would like to work again if I had a chance.
• Most Notable Scene: I think it’s the last narration of ‘Nan -young’. “Don’t forget, J. Somewhere in the universe, there is always one person who supports you.” I think it is indeed a comfort to tell the person who wants to here to the loved ones.
• A word to viewers: This star is a story like a love song that sounds in space. It is a work that will give warmth to the tired and cold daily life, so please watch a lot.

Hong Kyung on Jay: An Interview

Hong Kyung also shared his perspective on his character and the film’s creation:

• why he chose This Star Needed: In the background of the universe that I haven’t experienced yet, I have a deep bond looking at the scenario as if there are some of the emotions that people are exchanged now. I wanted to participate as of the tenderness of coming and going in the future in the future.
• The charm of Jay: I think it’s music.It seems that I had no choice but to fall into jay because I started with what music meant and why it was hesitant.
• preparing for Jay’s voice: Because I had to express only in my voice,I was able to try much more bold and freely. At this moment, I tried to do things that could only come out. I loved Nan -young and talked with the director about how it influenced it without knowing it. There are some kinds of expressions that have to be expressed only in the voice, but I tried to capture the emotions that fit the situation.
• The live-action process: I could feel the freedom to feel while acting on the stage.Since the live action was taken to capture the detailed expressions from the free movement, it naturally moved in the direction where everything naturally moved.Before recording, I acted like a real shooting, so I could approach the character closer to the character.
• Working with Kim Tae-ri: I tried to follow well by giving up the energy that I went deep into the work itself, not just doing any acting. This work seems to have worked together to capture what we can do.
• working with Director Han Ji-won: I worked hard to see the work and made a work. In addition to the narrative in the work,it was special to see the process of embodying the image of the director by embodying the image.I believed with clear ideas and open minds, and accepted various attempts and interpretations to know Jay.
• Most Impressive Scene: The first time I meet with ‘Nan -young’ and ‘J’ is the begining of the story.
• A word to viewers: I think it will be filled with the pleasure of seeing Seoul and the universe in the near future that everyone has made one sweat and a sweat.

The Vision of Han Ji-won

director Han Ji-won, a rising figure in Korean animation, brings a unique sensibility to This Star Needed. Her direction,combined with a sensational OST that raises the emotions of the work, promises a viewing experience that resonates deeply with audiences.

Availability

this Star Needed is now available for streaming on Netflix.