Love knows no distance—especially not 222.5 million kilometers. That's how far apart the lovers in The Stars Within Us are: one on Earth, the other on Mars.
This breathtaking long-distance romance unfolds in Netflix's first Korean animated feature, The Stars Within Us (dir. Han Ji-won), premiering globally on May 30. The film promises 96 minutes of wonder, emotion, and visual poetry.
🌏 A Surreal Yet Deeply Real Story
Set in 2050 Seoul, the film follows two young souls chasing dreams and love across galaxies. Despite the sci-fi premise, the story is rooted in relatable emotions: growth, separation, and the healing power of connection.
Director Han Ji-won explained the layered title:
"It refers to both 'this star' (Earth) and 'goodbye' (이별, ibyeol)—a dual meaning that encapsulates both the distance and the inner journey of letting go."
🎙 Kim Tae-ri & Hong Kyung's Voice Acting Debuts
- Kim Tae-ri plays Nanyoung, a space scientist pursuing her dream of Mars exploration.
- Hong Kyung voices Jay, a former musician with a bright smile but shadowed heart.
For both, this was their first voice acting experience—and a challenging one.
Kim shared:
"It was my childhood dream to voice an animated character. When I was first offered the role, it felt surreal—but I worried too. It's not my field of expertise."
They didn't just dub lines. The actors memorized full scripts, did live-action reference shoots, and even influenced character design.
Hong added:
"We played with different expressions and approaches, just like theater. There was a sense of freedom in it."
🎨 A Visually Stunning 2D Animation
Seoul's real-life landmarks—Sewoon Plaza, Nodeul Island, Seoul Station—are reborn in a 2D futuristic style.
Director Han, a Seoul native, said:
"These are places I see every day. I wanted to imagine them in a way that only animation could."
🎵 Original Soundtrack by the Leads
Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung even took part in writing and performing the film's OST.
- 💌 Duet: Life Goes On (inspired by letters between the two characters)
- 🎶 Solo: Bon Voyage by Hong Kyung
Kim noted:
"I was honored but nervous. Singing my own OST? That's a first. But when the director said he really wanted to hear it, I gave it a shot."
✨ Don't Miss This Unique Experience
Director Han concluded:
"It's been a while since Korea released a full-length animation like this. We poured our hearts into it—please enjoy."
Kim Tae-ri added:
"It's packed with iconic Korean sights and boundless imagination. You won't regret watching it."
The Stars Within Us premieres May 30 exclusively on Netflix.
[Photo Credit: Netflix]
