A beautiful love story is expected to unfold through an animated film. The love story will span across a staggering 222.5 million kilometers. One lives on Earth, and the other wishes them well from Mars. It will be one that brings a smile to viewers' faces and warmth to their hearts. At times, it may even bring a tear to their eyes. 

In the upcoming animated film 'Lost in Starlight,' a "realistic" narrative is told in a "surreal" way. Over 96 minutes, the story follows the growth of two young people. Fueled by their unwavering love for each other, they continue to move forward with purpose.

Netflix's animated film 'Lost in Starlight,' directed by Han Ji Won, held a press screening on May 27 at Lotte Cinema Konkuk Univ. in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

A press conference followed the screening, attended by director Han Ji Won and lead actors Kim Tae Ri and Hong Kyung, who expressed deep affection for the project. 'Lost in Starlight' is Netflix’s first Korean animated feature. It’s set in Seoul in the year 2050 and follows two young people chasing their dreams and love.

Director Han explained that the Korean title contains a double meaning: "It refers both to ‘this star’ as in Earth, and ‘farewell’ (이별) that the couple must face due to their distance." She continued, “The farewells in the story aren’t just about separation between lovers,” she continued. “It’s also about saying goodbye to inner wounds, trauma, and going through a journey of personal growth.”

Visually, the film is stunning. Near-future Seoul is brought to life through 2D animation. Familiar locations like Sewoon Arcade, Nodeul Island, and Seoul Station are infused with futuristic elements, creating an exciting visual experience. The settings reflect the director’s personal taste. “They’re places I frequently visit,” Director Han said. “I decided to depict the landscapes I see every day.”

Both actors went through challenging processes. Kim Tae Ri said, “There were many difficult parts,” referring to a scene where her character Nayeong faces danger during a space mission. She explained, “I had to convey the most extreme situation using only my breath, not dialogue. It included sobbing and pain — it wasn’t something I could have done in live-action. I realized how different breathing is in animation. I consulted the director for guidance.”

Hong Kyung also shared, “It was tough to act using only my voice, but I believed there were expressions only we could achieve. I tried to bring those to life.”

Their roles extended beyond voice acting. Both actors were deeply involved in the creative process, contributing ideas for character development, memorizing all their lines, and even filming live-action reference footage.

“It was so much fun,” Kim Tae Ri recalled. “We didn’t know how it would turn out, so Hong Kyung and I analyzed the script and rehearsed together like we were on a theater stage. The whole live-action shoot was thrilling. Waiting for the final product was exciting too. Watching it and seeing how it all came together was such a joyful challenge.”

The live-action filming also helped with the voice acting. “It made me feel freer,” Hong Kyung said. “Our goal was to explore a variety of expressions, and Kim Tae Ri and I had a great time experimenting.”

There was another new challenge: both actors participated in writing and singing the film’s original soundtrack (OST).

They wrote the lyrics for the duet “Life Goes On,” which began as a letter to each other. Kim Tae Ri said, “I thought if an actor wrote the lyrics, it might bring a fresher and different perspective.”

Their efforts didn’t stop there. They sang “Life Goes On” together, and Hong Kyung also performed a solo track titled “Bon Voyage.”

Kim Tae Ri confessed, “It was such an honor to have my voice on the OST, so I felt both excited and worried. But the director encouraged me, saying he really wanted to hear it, and that gave me courage.”

Director Han Ji Won concluded, “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a Korean animated film like this. We gave it our all. I hope viewers enjoy it.”

Kim Tae Ri added, “It features many famous spots in Korea. You’ll be able to ride waves of imagination only possible through animation. You won’t regret watching it.”

'Lost in Starlight' will premiere worldwide on Netflix on May 30.

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