Interview with Yoon Ji-ryun, the writer of Move to Heaven

“I hopeMove to Heaven will comfort audiences, however little that may be, regardless of their location or age.”

Yoon Ji-ryun

Having written stories for landmark works such as Boys Over Flowers and Angel Eyes, Yoon Ji-ryun returns with a story about trauma cleaners. Inspired by an essay collection she chanced upon, titled Things Left Behind (transliteration: Tteonan Hu-e Namgyeojin Geotdeul), Yoon Ji-ryun confesses that she was most deeply saddened when trying to imagine what those who passed away must have been like alive and what life would have had in store for them had they continued to live. She developed her story focusing on trauma cleaning and those who are marginalized around us.
Embracing with compassion the stories of those who died alone and neglected, she says, “I ask you to follow the journey of Geu-ru and Sang-gu with an open and caring mind to find out what life was like for these people who ‘moved out of their home’ on this earth permanently. If you feel sympathetic toward any of the characters featured in the series, I’d be grateful if you could wish them a heartfelt farewell,” expressing her genuine affection for the series.

INTERVIEW

Q : How did you come up with the story?

Yoon Ji-ryun : There was a phase when I was devouring every book on death and grief I could get my hands on to be emotionally comforted, which is also when I read Kim Sae-byul’s essay collection Things Left Behind (transliteration:Tteonan Hu-e Namgyeojin Geotdeul). As important as it is to investigate into
the cause of a death and determine accountability, I felt most deeply saddened when trying to imagine what those who passed away must have been like alive and what life would have had in store for them had they continued to live. I recognized views and sentiments aligned with mine in Kim Sae-byul’s essays, which re-awakened my calling for writing, which had been on hold for a while.

Q : What were your criteria for incorporating various issues in society into the episodes?

Yoon Ji-ryun : We say that all are equal in death, but in reality, it is not true. Having spent a fair amount of time researching death, I have come to the conclusion that death is just as unfair as life. Deaths that require trauma cleaning service can be roughly categorized into two groups: one where the deceased do not have any family members (or friends) to take care of the necessary arrangements and the other where the death is too extreme that family members (or friends) cannot clean up the site. What these two groups have in common is that these deaths are particularly more lonely, unjust, neglected, and sudden. All deaths are inherently sad and heart-breaking. The best death you can have is one that makes you feel, “I feel lucky that I had moments of happiness in the time I stayed in this world.” I wanted to extend my consolation to those who could have faced a death that is less lonely and less unjust if we had been more connected and generous with each other and had realized that time waits for no one.

Q : Why did you create Geu-ru’s character to have Asperger’s syndrome?

Yoon Ji-ryun : What was most crucial to me was to make it compelling for audiences to see how the fictitious trauma cleaning service Move to Heaven came into being as well as the characters of Geu-ru and San-gu. That is why Jeong-u, who is the “source” of not only Geu-ru’s knowledge in trauma cleaning but also his way of living life and values, was so critical regardless of the amount of screen time the character is given, and Geu-ru had to have traits that would drive him to stay so firmly committed to trauma cleaning against all the bias and negative views of society even after the loss of his father. Geu-ru learned that he must keep his promise and it is only natural for him to live according to what he learned. He may fall very short of the world’s expectations about survival skills or competitiveness, but the moment when I came to ask myself if we are in any way better than Geu-ru when we only think of our own interest and think it’s every man for himself, it became clear to me that the story ofMove to Heaven and Geu-ru are special.

Q : What did you think when you were told about the cast?

Yoon Ji-ryun : I thought the kind aura of Tang Jun-sang, who still carries traces of a young boy, and Hong Seung-hee’s cheerful energy made the two actors perfect for their respective roles, Geu-ru and Na-mu. When Lee Je-hoon readily said yes to the project, I was grateful because I knew that this seemingly sad story could have a wider reach thanks to him. And I was so touched to see him not only care about his own character Sang-gu, but also show so much affection and a sense of responsibility for the entire series. As per Jeong-u, even though the character doesn’t have much screen time, I was most anxious about casting the right actor for this character as he is the start of the overall story and the embodiment of the theme of the series. And so, I was very grateful that Ji Jin-hee gladly agreed to make a special appearance. Also, from those who played central characters of each episode to those who portrayed recurring characters around Geu-ru and Na-mu—I am thankful that so many great actors with such remarkable careers joined us for the series with such connection with, and love for, the story.

Q : Do you have any message you would like to share with viewers around the world?

Yoon Ji-ryun : The series is uniquely Korean in the way it portrays Korea’s traditional funeral process, mourning of the dead, and values specific to Korean society, and I am a little worried how these may come across to international audiences. But I think it is universally true that you recognize how precious
life is when you face death straight in the eyes rather than trying to avoid it even though we all die and fear death. I hope Move to Heaven can comfort audiences, no matter how little that comfort might be, regardless of where they are or which generation they are from.

Move To Heaven released on 14 May 2021, only on Netflix!