How ‘Moving’ became Disney+’s first Korean blockbuster

CNN
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Following the success of Netflix’s “Squid Game” and Apple TV+’s “Pachinko,” “Moving” becomes Disney+’s first Korean hit.

The star-studded Disney+ original has become the world’s most successful K-drama, the most popular on Hulu in the US, and the most-watched Disney+ original across Asia Pacific, ahead of the likes of Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is a series that has been

“Moving” is a thriller about the fate of an unremarkable Korean superhero and his family. The final episode of season 1 was released on September 20th.

The series won six awards at the Busan International Film Festival, an annual festival of domestic and international films held in South Korea’s second-largest city, including Best Original Screenplay for Kung Flu and Best Actor for Ryu Seung-ryong. It has been nominated for two Asian Content Awards. Ahead of the October 8th awards ceremony, CNN spoke with Liu about his character, why the show resonated with viewers around the world, and his high expectations for season two.

Based on the webtoon of the same name that gained popularity in 2015. “Moving,” also conceived by Kang Hulu, follows two generations of people with superpowers in modern-day South Korea. Some have enhanced senses, some can fly, and some can generate electricity.

Jang Joo Won, played by Ryu, has the ability to regenerate and recover from injuries. “He has had a very rough life,” Liu told CNN, describing him as “almost like a monster.”

Joo-won is complicated, to say the least. When we’re not watching him fall in love, dote on his daughter, and work various jobs to make a living, we watch him fight for his life. In a complex action sequence, Joo-won is beaten, set on fire, run over by a car, and stabbed multiple times while fighting alone against his 300-man gang (directed by Chan-wook in 2003) It is reminiscent of the famous hallway scene in the movie “Old Boy”).

Although there are some pretty bloody battle scenes involving the paranormal, “Moving” is more than just an action thriller. In fact, at the heart of this series is a fascinating story about family. “This is a series that can show you a combination of moments of happiness, anger, pain, sadness, and everything else while sitting for a long time,” Ryu said.

Jumping back and forth between past and present, weaving together the characters’ heartwarming and (often) heartbreaking backstories, the show follows parents and children as they use their superpowers to It depicts how they protect each other from enemies.

The actor said the focus on family helps “Moving” resonate with audiences around the world. “We’re all here with our families,” Ryu said. “Even if you’re not married, you don’t have children, your parents are dead…it gives you a moment to remember[your parents].”

As an actor, Ryu said he was drawn to Joo Won’s wide range of emotions as a husband and father. In fact, there was more to him than being an action hero.

For Ryu, another appeal of “Moving” is the hope it gives viewers. “It’s about weak and powerless people becoming superheroes, ordinary-looking people.”

“It encourages (viewers) that they are already doing their best and that they all have stories to tell,” Ryu said. “Everyone has superpowers, so there’s no need to be discouraged. It’s a tough world for everyone.”

It’s also what sets the show apart from other popular superhero stories like Marvel’s Avengers, a global series that the actor is a longtime fan of. Although Marvel and Moving share some of the same DNA, Ryu argues that the latter “depicts a more everyday image of ordinary people working to protect their families.” They don’t wear tights or uniforms. ”

Ryu said it would be more than that. He is also keen to appear in the second and even third season of “Moving.”The next work has not been announced yet, but Ryu His fingers were crossed.

“Kung Hulu jokingly told me that if we go into season 2, there will be more epic and spectacular scenes, so I should take care of myself,” Ryu said.

“Moving” is available on Disney+ and Hulu.