Director Jo Sung Hee Talks About The Ups And Downs Of Filming “Space Sweepers”
Today director Jo Sung Hee was interviewed about his thoughts on Space Sweepers‘ achievements, the staff, production details, criticisms, and more.
Space Sweepers is already topping Netflix’s movie rankings in 16 countries!
I can’t believe the huge response we’re getting. This is the first time I could immediately get a sense of how audiences abroad were reacting. It’s amazing and I am so grateful.
—Jo Sung Hee
The movie took an extremely long time to release as Jo Sung Hee, like directors all around the world, had difficulty due to COVID-19. The premiere was constantly pushed back and eventually had to move online to Netflix, which Jo Sung Hee was a little worried about.
Despite this, he kept going, as this was a project he has worked on for 10 years. He couldn’t disappoint fans, especially since many were excited for the reunion between Song Joong Ki and him, who had worked together on A Werewolf Boy.
Jo Sung Hee commented that although they hadn’t worked together in 9 years, the experience was very comfortable.
A long time has passed, but we kept in touch and had meetings since then. It didn’t feel like we were meeting for the first time. We communicated a lot better for Space Sweepers. Song Joong Ki slways has a unique way of getting close to others with his bright energy. He is the same man then and now.
—Jo Sung Hee
He also mentioned the many amazing roles Joong Ki has played since they met in 2012. He compliments him on his versatility and ability to feel like a real person.
Sung Hee also mentioned just how hard the staff members worked as he was essentially trying to make a Hollywood blockbuster with a tenth of the usual budget for one. “When you think of movies with spaceships, you’re probably most familiar with Hollywood movies. We made an effort to reach a quality that doesn’t fall too short of a Hollywood piece.”
Jo Sung Hee finished the interview by being asked about the criticism the movie received. Several fans thought that the movie was a “forced tear-jerker” and were upset by it.
If there were audience members who were uncomfortable with the melodramatic element, it seems that I didn’t think into the matter deep enough. I thought that it was necessary for our movie. I will be more mindful when I’m making my next movie. As someone that has been a part of the production from the beginning to end, I can say that Space Sweepers is a piece where we did our best.
—Jo Sung Hee
Korea’s first space blockbuster, Space Sweepers, is out now on Netflix!
