Press Conference with the casts of SPACE SWEEPERS

MC : Hello everyone. So great to meet you all, the crew of Victory. Please say hello to the press who are joining us here today.

Song Joong-ki : Hi everyone! I want to thank you the press for joining us here at Victory. I am Song Joong-ki, playing the role of Tae-ho.

Kim Tae-ri : Hello everyone! I played the role of Captain Jang in the Space Sweepers. Nice to meet you!

Jin Sun-kyu : Hello everyone! I played the role of Tiger Park. I’m Jin Sun-kyu.

Yoo Hai-jin : Hi everyone! I played the role of Bubs. I’m Yoo Ha-jin. Great to meet you here!

Director Jo : Hello everyone! I’m Jo Sung-hee, I directed the film. Great to be here!

MC : The English title of the movie is Space Sweepers right? Joong-ki, please introduce us to the movie.

Song Joong-ki : Yes, the English title is Space Sweepers, literally meaning that people who are swept away their breath and space. So, we are living in 2092. You could say that we are four, not the strongest people, its Tae-ho, Captain Jang, Tiger Park and Bubs. We are kind of unusual crew, and we come across a special event and we ended up saving the world. I don’t know if I make it clear that we are wimpy characters! 😀

MC : That is such an amazing answer you had prepared for this, Joong-ki. This will be the first Korean Sci-fi movie. Director Jo, your imagination and vision started all of this. How did you come about such an amazing story and how did you start planning for the movie?

Director Jo : I have to say, it was about 10 years ago, I heard about the story of space sweepers from a friend. So, it was the idea that we tried to develop since then.

MC : Wow, so this is the result of 10 years planning. Joong-ki, we were told that you agreed to be on board even before you read the full script?

Song Joong-ki : Yes. Well, when I worked with the Director Jo on ‘A Werewolf Boy’, I actually heard way back then that he was planning to create a space Sci-fi movie and I thought it would be really interesting and amazing. After a decade literally, he proposed this role and when he said that, I immediately thought that I would definitely do it!

MC : So, you heard this 10 years ago huh?

Song Joong-ki : Yes, back then the storyline was a bit different from what it came out to be, but when I first heard it from Director Jo, I was really shocked because it is so new and fresh!

MC : I see. What about you Tae-ri? What makes you decide to be part of the project? We heard that it had a lot to do with the director?

Kim Tae-ri : Yes, the script was amazing and I was really grateful to be offered the role. In the first meeting, he really told me about his vision and what he pictured the film would be. He had prepared so much that I could see how much passion he had for the film, so, I immediately trusted him.

MC : How about you Sun-kyu? Did you decide after reading the script? Or when you first heard the director’s name?

Jin Sun-kyu : I read the script actually. I read thoroughly! 😀 When I met the director and we talked about unripped part of the movie that wasn’t shown on the script, I really felt his passion for it and how well prepared he was.

MC : How about you Hai-jin? This is a quite unusual role that you took on.

Yoo Hai-jin : I also read the script thoroughly. The script was very entertaining. However, as to what it can be like on screen, I admitted that I was quite concerned at the beginning. About when the Director Jo, he drew pictures literally on a whiteboard and he drew me what he was thinking of in terms of how Bubs will look like. First of all, he was very well-scaled in the drawing. When I saw he is very artistic and the amazing script, I thought he could really do something good here.

MC : I see. So, the director literally drew the picture of your character. That is very refreshing to hear. All of the four characters are very lovable. Tell us about your respective roles. Joong-ki, do you wanna go first?

Song Joong-ki : Ok, I played the role of Tae-ho. Formerly, he lives all his life in the special troupe of UTS. Through a certain event, he leads the forces and he need the crew members that you see here, then he begins quite a tough life! With the members, he tries to complete his mission that was given to him and he’s the pilot of Victory!

MC : This is your second project with Director Jo after ‘A Werewolf Boy’, and I heard he shocked you once again with the appearance of the character?

Song Joong-ki : Yes, this is our second project together and I’ve never played a role that handsome. I was always dirty, covered with oil and in ‘A Werewolf Boy’ I always covered with mud. And I think I fall in love with these types of characters, maybe? But the personality of the characters that I played were very pure and they have the warmest hearts. So, I think that’s the reason why I love playing parts in Director Jo’s films.

MC : Right, we will take a look at how you turned out in the film later. So Tae-ri, how would you explain Captain Jang?

Kim Tae-ri : Captain Jang was the captain of the ex-pirate crew, but because of a certain event, all of her crew members (the other pirate comrades) get killed and the captain ends up putting together with this squat. She has a special dream that she wants to fulfill. In order to achieve that dream, she collected all the space debris with the crew members to make money.

MC : After the trailer came out, everyone could not stop talking about how cool you look. Did you take a look at the responses?

Kim Tae-ri : Well, yes! Some of my friends texted me, saying that I look very cool!

MC : Everyone was raving about how cool you look and I think that your personality was somehow similar to Captain Jang. Is that right?

Kim Tae-ri : No, I don’t think that’s true. Do you think we shared similar characteristics?

/Everyone is nodding/

Kim Tae-ri : But, I personally think that I’m a clumsy person but the captain is always very determined and perfect with everything.

MC : Did you have fun experiences while you acting as Captain Jang?

Kim Tae-ri : I get to shout at the other crew members and I was given a very good direction so I have a lot of fun!

MC : Captain Jang is also a very attractive character. Let’s move to Jin Sun-kyu. So, you definitely the protagonist hero of the day. How do explain Tiger Park?

Jin Sun-kyu : Tiger Park looks very tough like a tough cookie, ruthless, but he’s actually a very warm person. He is the engineer who takes care of the engines of the spacecraft. He is a very sentimental person who loves children and also he’s in charge of the housekeeping of the Victory.

MC : I heard that you really have to film in an engine room which is very hot. I bet it was very challenging. How was it?

Jin Sun-kyu : The space itself, I really filmed in an engine room in a ship that was stuck in a port. Not only me, but all the staff members had a very hard time because it was very loud in the engine room. Even when we started, the engine has to be running, so, you couldn’t even hear the director shouting action or cut because it was so loud. So, I just have rely on my instinct, like maybe I should stop just about now. It was a real engine room. So, the sound, the noise, was a bit hard for me to work with.

MC : I’m sure everyone had a hard time, but do you think you get the toughest part?

Jin Sun-kyu : Yes! For that reason, yes!

MC : You’re proud to say that you get the most difficult role. Ok, moving on to Yoo Hai-jin. I just saw Bubs when you’re enjoying the spotlight just now.

Yoo Hai-jin : Yes, I played Bubs. Bubs is a robot, but not a typical robot. He’s the accounting manager, but he’s not so savvy with the numbers. He’s a robot, but he also warmhearted almost like a human being and he throws spears. He’s very skilled with the spears. He’s very cute and adorable. Bubs also has own dreams he wants to achieve.

MC : As you were explaining Bubs, I just thought that it is very much in sync with your original thoughts Hai-jin.

Yoo Hai-Jin: Well, since I made the motion acting as well, I think you were able to see me behind the robot figure.

MC : Motion-capture performances is something that we only see in Hollywood movies, but now we get to see them in the Korean movie too. So, how do you feel about that?

Yoo Hai-jin : It was a new experience and while I was acting I was very excited to see how it would turn out on the screen. There was a new experience for me, but all the other staff had to go through a hard time because of the technical issues they had to shoot the scenes without me and then with me inside the robot again. So, I saw the crew members were struggling.

MC : Space Sweepers is Korea’s first space blockbuster. How do you all feel about that? And the title ‘Korea’s first space blockbuster’, has that put any burden to you in any way?

Song Joong-ki: I think that a lot of the burden sits on the director’s shoulders. The title of ‘Korea’s first space blockbuster’ is almost like having the Korean flag on our chests. So, you know we didn’t want to be pressured or burden of that. Again, I think all of that on the director’s shoulders. Contrary, I think I was more excited, I thought like I was a child again. When I first read the script, it reminded me of when I was a young kid. I don’t know if you know the movie ‘Goonies’. Right, I’m sure we all remember. It was such an amazing adventure film. And that’s exactly how I felt. It was yet another an amazing adventure, but only taking place in outer space.

MC : Excitement of the beginning of the adventure I see. How about you Tae-ri?

Kim Tae-ri : As SF film, we are instantly reminded of the Hollywood SF film, that’s what we are used to. So, to think that an outer space Sci-fi movie created in Korea, what that would be like, I think that’s exactly what we had created together. This is very Korean I think. So, I am excited to see what kind of other films, other SF film taking place in outer space would come about from Korea. And I hope that Space Sweepers, the film started something and I’m very proud to have created something as a team that we all worked so hard on it together. So, I am very proud and I feel great! And I as an audience, really looking forward to seeing it.

Jin Sun-kyu : For me, I’m excited, I’m nervous and just being able to talk about the movie here, I’m just really happy. I feel almost like, you know, playing for the nation with the flag on my chest as an athlete. That’s how I felt when Korea was really doing well in the World Cup even. I feel like we are going up into the space as the representative.

Yoo Hai-jin : Korean’s first SF film, that’s what people called the movie. And I feel like we’ve done quite a great job. I personally think those fantastic! I’m extremely proud and I feel that the director really has done an amazing job and put a lot of efforts into it. I think of the film to be called one of its kind, I think we did something really great!

MC : It’s really great to hear the casts were so proud of the film. And I think the director, this question goes to you. Korean’s first SF film must be quite difficult to shoot, and I’m sure there were a lot of pain points as well. What’s the difference from your previous work?

Director Jo : Well, the pre-production process was quite difficult. There’s a lot to do during the pre-production compare to other films. We had to prepare a lot! And on the set when we were shooting the actual scenes, we all really required a great deal of imagination from all of us. So, there were definitely challenges. However, there was also a lot of excitement about what this will look like on screen, so, that’s really drove us.

MC : I see. What’s the characteristics  that differentiate points as a Korean SF film that you want to put into the movie?

Director Jo: Well, this might be something obvious, but Space Sweepers you hear Korean people are in the outer space backdrop. That’s big in Korea, right? I really want to make it seem as less odd or strange as possible to make it familiar to the audiences.

MC : I see. For the actors, it must be quite difficult on the set. What are some challenges you face? How about you Captain Jang?

Kim Tae-ri : Yes, definitely. As the director’s said, I think it required a great deal of imaginations for all of us. Once you loose touch without the imagination, it’s easy to forget what you’re doing. So, we would constantly ask and discussed the scenes and the director’s vision and continue to do image training. While we were looking at the green background, but continuing to imagine what would be seen as the characters.

MC : I see. It’s really tough acting against the green screen right? How about you, Sun-kyu?

Jin Sun-kyu : At first, it’s really tough! Because, you know, it started with ‘where should I be looking at?’ while doing my lines right? So, I would ask the director and the director gave us a very good detail. At first, it takes some times to get used to, but going through the whole process, I think I actually saw outer space with my eyes on the screen.

MC : How about you Joong-ki? You have some experiences with having special effect in the film.

Song Joong-ki: Well, I think that part you mentioned weren’t as hard for me because the staff and the creators really went through an extensive preparation process. So, it wasn’t too tough to imagine the scenes with the effects. But, I think the very first scene where I am flying through space, that was quite challenging. There is this scene where we’re floating in the space. And our crew members outside the ship, cleaning the spaceship. So, that was quite tough because it has to do with a lot of gravity. That was something new and challenging. But again, amazing preparations went into the scenes and we’re really satisfied.

MC : The role of Tae-ho as reality to the project and he keeps the balance throughout, I’m sure as a character that drives at the full work yet not to be too overpowering must be very tricky. How did you approach Tae-ho?

Song Joong-ki : When I first read the script, and when I tried to interpret Tae-ho I thought of him devastated because he lose all hopes in his life. He’s just given up on everything, he doesn’t think about anything. I think while I was filming the movie, I think I was in a similar state to Tae-ho when I first started shooting the film. Since he’s devastated because of the series of events, still he manages to pull himself together and he meet, I called them misfits but they are a great team. As he meets his crew members, he finds a glimpse of hope. He started to have more enthusiasm towards his life again. So, I think the crew members help Tae-ho pulls himself together and get back on his feet. I tried to show that contra the best that I could.

MC: We did talk a little bit about Bubs today. Bubs loves fashion and makeup and likes to be called sis. How did you interpret Bubs and were there any difficulties while you were doing the motion-capture acting? Motion-capture technology was widely used in Hollywood, did you look at any overseas movies or characters for references?

Yoo Hai-Jin: No, I didn’t use anything as a reference. I just tried my best as I always do and I think that’s the best way to go, always. So I just gave it a call and all the staff members helped me every step of the way throughout the whole experiences.

MC : How did you interpret the personality and the identity of Bubs?

Yoo Hai-Jin: Yes, I thought of Bubs as a robot made of metal but it has a warm heart. That’s how I interpreted Bubs to be.

MC : Last but not least, this question is from Joseon Daily, Joongang.com, Digital Choseon Daily and K-popped from Malaysia. This goes to all of you. Because of Covid-19, the film was originally scheduled to hit theaters, but it’s going to premiere on Netflix instead. What do you think is the difference between the theatrical release and the Netflix release and do you feel sad for not being able to do so?

Song Joong-ki : Well, I have to say  the schedule have been pushed back quite a while. I think all of you know that already. But, I think I tried to think about it this way. As the actor in the commercial arts and culture industry, the most important thing is how you communicate towards the audiences and viewers. And we want to reach to viewers as soon as possible. We want to help them to watch the movie as soon as possible. Now, we’re only days away from the release. The date has been finalized. And I just hope that you all be able to see the movie as soon as possible.

MC : How about you Tae-ri?

Kim Tae-ri : Yes, of course I do feel a little bit sad because I’m  also the members of the audiences and I also love watching movies in the theatre, but I still feel very happy and grateful that we get to meet the audiences through Netflix and I would like to ask of you, when you are watching it at home, just pay more attention to the sound effects. Please make sure that the volume is very loud. I think that would make it more live it and intense and a better experience.

MC: So, you want the audiences to feel like they actually in the outer space right?

Kim Tae-ri : Yes, the audio must be very loud!

Jin Sun-kyu : Just to add to that, we’re going to meet the global audiences now through Netflix and I hope that you will be able to watch movie in the wide and spacious area with the lights off with friends and family. And that would make a spectacular experience.

MC : And you, Hai-jin?

Yoo Hai-jin : I do understand that the audio of the sound technology, the devices these days are very advanced. I hear that it’s going to be simultaneously released in 190 countries and I think this is the first time for me to have my movie meet the global audiences at the same time and I hope you guys enjoy it!

MC : What about you Director Jo?

Director Jo : Yes, I don’t feel sad about this release, I only just nervous and excited to see the final outcome and I’m very happy that we’re going to meet the audiences in 190 countries. I just want all of the people across the world to understand that there’s a movie like that produced in Korea!

MC : Before we end the session, please say the final word to the audiences. Starting from you, Director Jo.

Director Jo :  So, February 5th the movie Space Sweepers is going to premiere. I hope that you will be able to find a lot of fun and entertainment in this movie during this tough time.

Yoo Hai-jin : Not only the people on stage, but all of the crew members and staff members put a lot of efforts into the movie so I hope you love it and I hope you enjoy it. Thank you.

Jin Sun-kyu : Yes, just like Hae-jin said, we put our heart and soul into this project and now it’s opening on February 5th, literally across the world. And I do understand that everyone is having a hard time, I hope you will be able to have very happy and fun experiences with this movie.

Kim Tae-ri : Now, is almost holiday season. And I think this is a great movie to enjoy with the entire family. I hope you love the movie and thank you so much for joining us today and Happy New Year!

Song Joong-ki : So, in the couple of days, Space Sweepeers going to be released. I hope this will be a very exciting holiday present for all of you. This is going to be a 2 hour run. I hope you have an exciting experience sitting throughout the movie and I really hope that the situation will improve soon. Thank you.

Check out Space Sweepers, premieres on February 5, only on Netflix!