South Korea Releases First AI-Generated Feature Film
On Wednesday, a groundbreaking project was released in South Korean cinemas—the country’s first feature film, “Run to the West,” created with the active use of artificial intelligence. It was directed by the renowned filmmaker Kang Yun-sung, known for projects like “The Big Bet” and “Low Life.”
This 60-minute fantasy picture is a chaotic yet dynamic spectacle. The plot is based on a mystical concept: a group of people who have experienced near-death find themselves in purgatory, where otherworldly beings decide their fate—whether to send them to the afterlife or return them to the world of the living.
The film stars well-known actors: Byeon Yo-han, Bang Hyo-rin, and Yang Se-jong. For most of the film, the characters are running through the streets of Seoul, fleeing from AI-generated pursuers—reapers in the form of animals and Buddhist Heavenly Kings.
The visual effects created by artificial intelligence are of varying quality; some creatures look hyper-realistic, while others appear cartoonish and artificial. However, the film’s fast pace, abundance of chases, explosions, and special effects help to keep the viewer’s attention.
The film’s presentation had a different tone from standard press conferences, as the project is a pioneering step for Korean cinema. Director Kang Yun-sung shared that the project originally began as a short film of about 5-10 minutes, commissioned by the company KT. However, he decided to adapt an old script he had written 25 years ago, called “Mobius,” turning it into a full-length feature.
The director was initially skeptical about AI’s capabilities in filmmaking, but his opinion changed during production. “The quality of pre-visualization in the early stages seemed insufficient for a commercial film. But the technology improved right before our eyes; we could barely keep up with it,” Kang noted. He added that AI is primarily a tool that assists creators and could become a source of new energy for the industry.
Artificial intelligence was used not only to create monsters but also to visualize one of the human characters, raising questions about the potential replacement of actors. However, the film’s star, Byeon Yo-han, expressed the view that AI cannot exist without the creative imagination of directors and actors. He stated that this project clearly demonstrated that modern filmmaking is a battle of time and capital, with AI becoming a new tool in that battle.