The two-part movie series based on the webtoon "Along with the Gods" by Ju Ho-min. The first part was released on December 20, 2017, and the second part on August 1, 2018.
According to Ju Ho min's Twitter and blog, Realies Pictures signed a contract for the film adaptation rights, with plans for the sequel to be released in 2017.
The production process faced many challenges. The screenplay underwent revisions over 30 times in six years, and initially, Kim Yong-hwa was approached to direct. However, he declined, and the project was handed to Kim Tae yong, the director of "My Dictator." Yet, Kim Tae-yong's adaptation of the script diverged significantly from the original work, leading to his replacement in May 2014 by director Kim Yong-hwa.
At the time, Kim Yong hwa was feeling down after his previous film, "Mr. Go," flopped. But with renewed confidence in his technical abilities, he accepted the directorial role. It took several more years to complete the film, with multiple script revisions along the way.
Kim Yong hwa, known for hits like "200 Pounds Beauty" and "Take Off," has faced both anticipation and concern following the failure of "Mr. Go." The movie incorporates elements from the original work's depiction of the afterlife, and filming for both parts began in April 2016. The release of parts one and two was scheduled for 2017 and 2018, respectively, with the same cast.
In December 2014, Ha Jung-woo was announced to be cast in the film. Fans speculated he would play the roles of Jin-gi-han or Hae Won-maek. Kim Yong-hwa plans for the film to be a trilogy with a star-studded cast. Ju Ho min later confirmed the two-part structure during an appearance on JTBC's show "Jobs."
Ha Jung-woo eventually confirmed his role as the 'Gangrim Do-ryeong.' While Won Bin and Kim Woo bin were considered for roles, they ultimately declined after careful consideration.
The film adaptation of Ju Ho min's webtoon "Along with the Gods" revolves around the concept of afterlife trials. The first installment, "The Two Worlds," diverges from the original storyline of the afterlife and focuses on the trials faced by firefighter Kim Ja-hong, involving his seven trials and the chaos caused by the ghosts in the human world.
Several changes were made from the original webtoon. Kim Ja hong's occupation was altered from an ordinary office worker to a firefighter. Additionally, the character of Jin-gi-han, a lawyer, does not appear in the film. Instead, his role is replaced by Kang-rim and Deok-choon, the afterlife guardians. Furthermore, the personalities of Kang-rim and Haewonmak are swapped from their original depictions. Haewonmak, initially portrayed as a tough character, becomes more serious, while Kang-rim adopts a comical demeanor.
According to the laws of the afterlife, every human must undergo seven trials over 49 days posthumously. These trials include murder, indolence, deceit, injustice, betrayal, violence, and impurity. Only those who pass all seven trials in the seven hells can be reincarnated and start a new life.
Kim Ja hong, a firefighter who dies while saving a girl from a fire, finds himself confronted by afterlife guardians Haewonmak and Deok-choon. They inform him of his death and reveal that he must undergo the seven trials. Kang-rim, the leader of the guardians, pledges to defend Ja-hong during his trials. However, as Ja-hong's past unfolds during the trials, unexpected challenges arise, putting his reincarnation in jeopardy.
The film explores the uncharted territory of the afterlife, where a new world awaits beyond the gates, unseen by anyone but accessible to all.
Rarely in Korean cinema history has such an immense production budget been poured into a film series, with both parts 1 and 2 being produced simultaneously. The total integrated production cost for parts 1 and 2, including marketing expenses, was announced to be approximately 400 billion Korean won, with a net production cost of 350 billion won. Additionally, each part required an estimated 200 billion won, making the breakeven point for the combined films around 13,175,503 viewers. Therefore, it's estimated that part 1 alone would need around 6.5 to 7 million viewers to break even. Given that the original webtoon's second part received mixed reviews, expectations for the sequel's box office performance are somewhat tempered compared to the first part.
Director Kim Yong-hwa, having faced a significant setback with his previous film "Mr. Go," finds himself at a critical juncture with this project. However, some are hopeful considering his past success with "200 Pounds Beauty" and "Take Off." The film generated significant buzz upon its release, surpassing 5 million cumulative viewers in the first week. With over 10 million cumulative viewers, actors like Ha Jung-woo, Lee Jung-jae, Kim Hae-sook, Ma Dong-seok, and Ye Soo-jung have become synonymous with 10-million-viewer films, while actors such as Hwang Jung-min, Im Won-hee, Kim Su-an, Kim Su-ro, and Lee Kyung-young have been associated with 2-part 10-million-viewer films.
The film's fantasy genre, based on an immensely popular webtoon, along with its substantial marketing campaign, contributed to its success. Moreover, the film resonated well with audiences both domestically and internationally. It broke box office records in Korea, exceeding 14.37 million viewers in total, surpassing the breakeven point. In Taiwan, it achieved tremendous success, becoming the highest-grossing Korean film ever released. Furthermore, it dominated the box office in Hong Kong and performed well in North America, Thailand, and Australia.
By already surpassing the breakeven point for parts 1 and 2 combined, the film marked a significant milestone in Korean cinema. Moreover, with the increased value of the Korean won, it became the fourth Korean film to exceed $100 million in the domestic market by January 20th. This unprecedented success, achieved by investing heavily in a multi-part film series, represents a groundbreaking achievement in the Korean film industry, showcasing the profitability of high-quality Korean melodramas on a global scale.