Can the movie 'Alienoid Part.2' reverse the harsh criticism of Part 1?

'Alienoid Part.2', which will conclude the story of the movie 'Alienoid Part.1', which was released in 2022, is scheduled to return to audiences in January 2024. Director Choi Dong-hoon, who is known as a trustworthy director for films such as ‘Reconstruction of Crime’ (2004), ‘Tazza’ (2006), ‘Jeon Woo-chi’ (2009), ‘The Thieves’ (2012), and ‘Assassination’ (2015) As it was a work of art, expectations were high when it was released, but audience reactions were polarized.

It was difficult to empathize with the vast world view and the narrative and characters that go back and forth between Goryeo and the future. Director Choi Dong-hoon, who said he will once again meet the audience with all his might, also mentioned that he went through post-production work for a year and a half and watched the edited version about 150 times. As the saying goes, the changed relationship between the awakened Muruk (Ryu Jun-yeol) and his thunder-throwing wife Ian (Kim Tae-ri) and their fight into the future to find the new sword are the points to watch, so will 'Alienoid Part.2' be able to meet the audience with a changed appearance?

On the 22nd, a production briefing session for the movie 'Alienoid Part.2' (director Choi Dong-hoon) was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Choi Dong-hoon and actors Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, Kim Woo-bin, Yeom Jeong-ah, Jo Woo-jin, Kim Eui-seong, and Jin Seon-gyu attended the event. 'Alienoid Part.2' is about a human and a guru who return to the present and save everyone as hidden secrets are revealed in the fierce battle for the new sword. This is a movie depicting their stories.

Director Choi Dong-hoon, who was in charge of directing, is in the Korean crime genre with films such as 'Reconstruction of Crime' (2004), 'Tazza' (2006), 'Jeon Woo-chi' (2009), 'The Thieves' (2012), and 'Assassination' (2015). A new stroke has been written.

Director Choi Dong-hoon, who returned with Part 2 following the movie 'Alienoid Part.', which was released in 2022, expressed his feelings about finishing the series he attempted for the first time. Director Choi Dong-hoon said, "We did post-production for a year and a half. The actors were working on other projects during that time (laughter). I lived in the editing room just looking at the actors' eyes. I felt like we were family members who lived together."

Director Choi Dong-hoon, who said he filmed for nearly a year, also talked about his memories of the first and last filming. Director Choi Dong-hoon said, "The first shoot was the wedding of Muruk and Ian, and actor Kim Woo-bin wore a jjoljjolgi while playing the role of Thunder's guard. The last shoot was the scene where he returns to modern times. What I remember is that after filming was over, I was in charge of various prosecutors. “All I could think was, ‘I shouldn’t live like this,’” he said, expressing his thoughts.

After the first part was released, the public's likes and dislikes were divided. When asked what he focused on while preparing Part 2 or what the editing process was like, director Choi Dong-hoon said, "I went with what I had originally set out. The reason I edited for so long was because I experimented with various things. That's what I thought. What I'm working hard at is I thought it was to be polite to the audience. Even so, you can't beat the script. We had to reshoot for just one day. This is Lee Ha-nui's scene. It seems like the 'Alienoid' movie itself needs a part 2 to meet its true partner. “It’s like a movie or a series. If the audience didn’t see part 1, I was worried about whether they would watch part 2. I think I’ve seen this movie over 150 times.”

Actor Ryu Jun-yeol played the role of Muruk, a Buddhist monk who doubts his identity.

Regarding his thoughts about the release of Part 2, Ryu Jun-yeol said, "It is a unique experience and amazing. Personally, the reason I am looking forward to Part 2 is because I am a fan of director Choi Dong-hoon even before his debut, even before the actor he worked with. The script has the power. Delicately. "As an audience member, I enjoyed watching the tangled stories unravel. If many stories unfold in Part 1, you will be able to feel catharsis in Part 2. I hope the audience feels the same way," he said.

Muruk, who was a clumsy Taoist master in Part 1, aroused curiosity by learning real Taoist arts in the ending. When asked about Muruk's changes in Part 2, Ryu Jun-yeol said, "A simple-minded Taoist monk was an ambiguous character who was neither this nor that. As he learns Taoist arts and has a clear goal, he becomes a better person. It would be good to see if there are any changes." introduced.

Ryu Jun-yeol, who shows a unique action as the awakened Muruk returns to the future, said, "In the first part, it was an action that felt like it was in the past. As it moves to modern times, it has a different visual. So it was fun to watch while comparing parts 1 and 2. “There will be,” he explained.

Actor Kim Tae-ri plays Ian, who tries to return to the future to protect everyone.

Regarding her feelings ahead of the release of 'Alienoid Part. “I think this is a big thing. I hope this feeling is conveyed to the audience. I have high expectations,” he said.

In Part 2, Ian is depicted moving from Goryeo to the future. Kim Tae-ri said, "It's to protect everyone. One of the storylines that director Choi Dong-hoon initially thought of was the process of going back to the future to save everyone, as in the saying that someone saves everyone but doesn't know everyone."

Kim Tae-ri, who showed stylish action as a woman shooting thunder, mentioned the changed action in Part 2. Kim Tae-ri introduced, "There are a lot of action scenes. The most memorable one is the train scene. The two immortals made it difficult. Action scenes are always fun. I remember when I tried to do more because I was greedy, the director stopped me."

Actor Kim Woo-bin appears as Thunder, who opens the time door to return to the future.

In Part 1, after Thunder arrives in Goryeo, he breaks up with Ian and his whereabouts become unknown. Kim Woo-bin, the central figure in the battle for the new sword, explained what the new sword is. Kim Woo-bin said, "The new sword is an alien energy source. It can travel through time, activate or stop the alien atmosphere, Hava, and escape prisoners. So, since it is a tool that does many things, many people are trying to get it. “There is a competition,” he replied.

When asked how it was to work with Ryu Jun-yeol, the actor who plays Muruk, Kim Woo-bin did not hold back in his praise, saying, "Ryu Jun-yeol is such a great actor. He has a lot of good energy. That's why I was able to film with more fun." Ryu Jun-yeol, who heard this, expressed his affection, saying, "On set, the staff knew actor Kim Woo-bin as their older brother. Woo-bin took the center stage, so I was able to do it comfortably."

Thunder is a program and a character who can open the door of time, so most of the scenes have to be imagined with the addition of CG. When asked if there were any difficulties in acting, Kim Woo-bin said, "Most of the scenes required CG. There was a difference between what you can see and what you can't see, so it was very difficult at first. He explained a lot about the visuals. After the movie ended, “I have gained confidence. Now I think I can do any CG.”

Actress Yeom Jeong-ah played the role of Shinseon Heukseol.

Yeom Jeong-ah, who seemed to be a couple but not a married couple, and showed perfect chemistry with the fresh man Cheongwoon, said in part 2, "I am looking for a new sword. A monster entered someone's body and I am looking for a new sword for it. Heukseol welcomes it from the future and is amazed." He answered about Black Snow's mission.

Actor Jo Woo-jin plays the role of Cheong-woon, a ghost chasing a ghost.

Jo Woo-jin, who brought laughter to the audience with his comical chemistry, expressed confidence, saying, "I think the mission of Cheongwoon and Heukseol this time is to entertain the audience. You can believe the rumors that (the chemistry) has been upgraded."

Unlike Goryeo, which was the background of Part 1, the different reactions of the immortals who went to the future are also a point to watch. Jo Woo-jin explained, "(Going to the future), everything is perplexing and embarrassing. I feel a sense of enlightenment as I look at Heuk-seol, who looks at such a scene without any problem."

Regarding Part 2, which features spectacular action scenes, Jo Woo-jin said, "I wondered if I had ever ridden the wire this much in my life. I did a lot of riding in the movie 'Battle of Bongo-dong', but I deleted that memory. I worked hard with my older sister Yeom Jeong-ah." “I think it takes a bit of effort to get good results. The results are worth looking forward to,” he said, revealing the story behind it.

Actor Kim Eui-seong gives a passionate performance as Jajang, an alien prisoner trapped in the past.

When asked about the character's purpose and reason for trying to take over the Shingeom as an alien, Kim Eui-seong said, "I'm an alien who somehow fell into the past. I'm trapped in time, and I have a mission to go back to the future and destroy the Earth."

Kim Eui-seong, who is said to be competing with the neungpa played by Jin Seon-gyu in the play, said, "I was surprised that Jin Seon-gyu was handsome. Is it an effect of blindfolding? There is a deep grudge between Jajang and the neungpa. Neungpa tries to resolve it later, but it is unclear whether it will work out well. “I think it would be good to watch the movie,” he explained.

Actor Jin Seon-gyu appears as Neungpa, a blind swordsman who tries to open his eyes by stealing his new sword.

Jin Seon-gyu, who newly joined in Part 2, said, "I am a blind swordsman and sell medicine in the past. After hearing about the new sword, I seek personal gain. I appeared in Part 1, and it would be nice to watch it again and find out where I came from." He added, "The more I cover it, the better my face looks. I haven't seen part 2 yet, but I heard people say that I'm probably the most handsome character in Sunggyu's filmography."

Regarding his chemistry with Kim Eui-seong, who competes in the drama, Jin Seon-gyu said, "He was the chief during 'Extreme Job', but when I saw him this time, (actor Kim Eui-seong's) actions were so surprising. He can still do it with ease. I thought he was worried for no reason." talked.

The movie 'Alienoid Part.2' is scheduled to be released in January 2024.

Reporter Ha-neul Lee, Ten Asia greenworld@tenasia.co.kr