Netflix’s South Korean sci-fi romance film, Lost in Starlight, has landed with a near-perfect 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with Bong Joon Ho, the Oscar-winning director of Parasite, calling it a “visual masterpiece.”
Set in the near-future world of 2050, Lost in Starlight tells the story of Nan-young (voiced by Kim Tae-ri), who’s about to fulfil her lifelong dream of joining an expedition to Mars. Her heart, however, is tethered to Earth by Jay (voiced by Hong Kyung), who stays behind to pursue his artistic skills in music. This literally light-years-apart romance sounds like the ultimate long-distance relationship challenge.
The film’s visual style is a major standout. Its alluring animation has even been compared to the works of Japanese anime legend Makoto Shinkai, known for hits like Your Name and Suzume. But Lost in Starlight is a proud South Korean production, marking a new push for more adult animated features from the home of K-dramas.
Directed by Han Ji-won, Lost in Starlight is a follow-up to his 2023 animation The Summer. He co-wrote the screenplay with Kang Hyun-joo, who previously penned the groundbreaking same-sex romance Soulmate.
According to Den of Geek, the new film is “far more interested in the emotional dimensions of space travel than the logistical ones,” and is curious “about the work of human connection in a sometimes unforgiving but never hopeless universe.”
Read more: Netflix Drops New ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 Trailer
The film balances its futuristic setting with deeply familiar human moments. You’ll see massive holographic jellyfish floating through Seoul’s twilight sky, but also Nan-young’s aging father tending to plants in an old mug. Han Ji-won aimed for a soundtrack that’s “futuristic but not apocalyptic, a little bit edgy but soft at the same time,” landing on a synth-pop sound.
“While I was developing the script [for Lost in Starlight], a lot of things changed,” director Han states. “But, still, there were the same keywords: space, female lead, music, childhood, and love.”
Lost in Starlight is available to stream on Netflix right now. If you’re into visually stunning sci-fi, heartfelt romance, and a fresh take on Korean animation, this is one you shouldn’t miss.
