‘Lost in Starlight.’ Photo: courtesy of Netflix.
Lost in Starlight explores a love that stretches far beyond Earth, tracing the emotional journey of two people profoundly connected yet separated by space. Their relationship faces the ultimate test when distance surpasses terrestrial boundaries and reaches into the cosmic expanse between Earth and Mars.
Written and directed by Han Ji-won, this science fiction romance is Netflix’s first Korean animated feature. Set in the futuristic Seoul of 2050, the story follows Jay, a reserved artist, and Na-young, an astronaut. Their bond begins when Na-young visits a repair shop to fix her late mother’s record player and meets Jay. A spark ignites, and their relationship deepens—until Na-young departs for a mission to Mars, forcing them to confront a painful and uncertain separation.
Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung voice the lead roles, with Kim lending emotional depth to Na-young and Hong bringing subtle complexity to Jay. According to ChosunBiz, Han and Kim worked closely on shaping Na-young’s character, while Han felt Hong could convey nuanced emotion even in the quietest moments, embodying Jay as someone “who exists somewhere in the world.”
The film’s official teaser previews gorgeous visual storytelling, allowing for imaginative and expressive shots that portray an experience of emotions in an immersive way that I feel many live-action films cannot. And, as director Bong Joon-ho puts it, “This visual masterpiece takes you around the universe,” a celestial love story with a pledge made between Na-young and Jay to support each other and have each other’s backs no matter how many miles separate them.
Jay is a former guitarist who has given up his music career and now works in a vintage audio equipment shop, preserving his fondness for all things retro despite the more advanced period he’s living in. Na-young’s arrival and her admiration for his music provide him with the push he needed to return to pursuing his musical goals.
Jay contrasts with the present and Na-young, who is well-versed in technical advancements. Their chance encounter is a one-of-a-kind story of opposites attracting, and it provides a backdrop for the love and support they will give each other in fostering their professional goals.
Lost in Starlight essentially tests the conventional understanding of love, questioning whether a bond can truly withstand the test of extreme physical absence and the mental strain of limited interaction, pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a meaningful relationship in the face of challenges. The film will be available to stream on Netflix starting May 30.
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