Wikipedia

Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days

Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (Korean: 신과함께: 인과 연) is a 2018 South Korean fantasy action film[3] directed by Kim Yong-hwa and based on a webtoon by Joo Ho-min, Along With the Gods. It serves as the sequel to the 2017 film Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds. It stars Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hyang-gi, Ma Dong-seok and Kim Dong-wook. The film was released on August 1, 2018.[4][5][6][7][8]

Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days
Theatrical poster
Hangul
신과함께: 인과 연
Hanja
神과함께: 因와 緣
Revised RomanizationSin-gwahamkke: In-gwa Yeon
Directed byKim Yong-hwa
Screenplay byKim Yong-hwa
Based onAlong with the Gods
by Joo Ho-min
Produced byKim Yong-hwa
Won Dong-yeon
Kim Ho-Sung
Starring
CinematographyKim Byung-seo
Edited byKim Hye-jin
Zino Kim
Music byBang Jun-seok
Production
companies
Realies Pictures
Dexter Studios
Distributed byLotte Entertainment
Release date
  • August 1, 2018 (2018-08-01)
Running time
141 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Budget₩20 billion
(US$18.3 million)[1]
Box officeUS$92.5 million (South Korea)[2]

Plot

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The three grim reapers Gang-rim (Ha Jung-woo), Haewonmak (Ju Ji-hoon) and Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi) will guide their 49th soul Kim Soo-hong (Kim Dong-wook) to the afterlife trials. Meanwhile, God of the House (Ma Dong-seok) will recover the grim reapers' memories from 1,000 years ago.[9]

Cast

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Main

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  • Ha Jung-woo as Gang-rim,[10] the wise and careful Grim Reaper and leader of his group. In his past life, he was a Goryeo warlord, Haewonmak's brother-in-arms, and the killer of both Haewonmak and Deok-choon.
  • Ju Ji-hoon as Haewonmak,[11] the young, energetic, and sarcastic Grim Reaper who is proficient in swords. In his past life, he was Gang-rim's brother-in-arms and a Goryeo soldier who met Deok-choon and fell in love with her. He was killed by Gang-rim and became a Grim Reaper.
  • Kim Hyang-gi as Lee Deok-choon, the youngest of the Grim Reapers with psychic abilities. In her past life, she was a girl from a tribe who were at war with Goryeo. She later met Haewonmak and the two fell in love, before Gang-rim killed both of them, as a result, she became a Grim Reaper.
  • Ma Dong-seok as Seongju,[12] a house deity who becomes an ally to Gang-rim and his team.
  • Kim Dong-wook as Kim Soo-hong,[13] the former main antagonist of the first film, brother of Kim Ja-hong, and a vengeful spirit who is now relieved of his torment. He becomes the last soul to be escorted by Gang-rim and his team before their reincarnations.

Supporting

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Special appearance

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Production

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  • Along With the Gods Part 1 and 2 took ₩40 billion (around US$36.6 million) to produce. Both parts of the film were shot simultaneously. Dexter Studios, one of Asia's largest film production and visual effects studios, who was behind director Kim Yong-hwa's previous film Mr. Go (2013), created the visual effects for the film. It was reported that around 300 artists and technicians took part in the film's production.[1]
  • Chinese production company Alpha Pictures invested $2.2 million.[19]
  • Filming began on May 26, 2016, and ended on March 22, 2017, for part 1 and 2.[20]
  • Some scenes that featured actors Oh Dal-su and Choi Il-hwa were re-shot due to their controversies as they were replaced with substitute actors.[21]

Reception

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Critical response

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On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 44% based on nine reviews and an average rating of 5.5/10.[22]

Elizabeth Kerr of The Hollywood Reporter gave a mixed review and wrote, "Though the two films were shot simultaneously, there's a sense of 'more' to Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days that doesn't really do it any service. Like many a sequel bent on topping its predecessor to prove the first entry wasn't a fluke, the end result is just a bigger, noisier, less focused slog rather than continued world-building."[23]

Noel Murray of Los Angeles Times gave a mixed review and wrote, "While Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days is awkwardly bloated, it does eventually develop some momentum. Once viewers get accustomed to a movie that can move within minutes from courtroom drama to dinosaur attacks, they may enjoy the overwhelming spectacle of it all."[24]

Box office

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South Korea

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Prior to its release, Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days set the record for the highest pre-sale tickets in South Korea's box office history with 60.5% reservation rate. The rate reached 42 million, outdoing the record of the 2017 film The Battleship Island which reached the same number of reservations on the day before the opening of the film.[25]

The film also broke the opening day record in South Korea by attracting 1,263,788 viewers on the first day of its release, which is more than twice the amount of Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (422,339 viewers).[26][27][28][29] On the second day of its release, the film attracted more than 2 million viewers.[30][31] On August 4, the film attracted 1,466,416 viewers, making the film set a record of the most viewers in a single day, surpassing Avengers: Infinity War that attracted 1,333,310 viewers in a single day before.[32] On August 5, it was reported that Along with the Gods had attracted 5,409,817 viewers on its fifth day, making the film the fastest to reach such number, surpassing Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds which set the record in a week, and The Admiral: Roaring Currents, the first most viewed film in Korea, which set the record in a six days.[33] Along with the Gods placed first in the weekly box office.[34] The film accumulated $46.2 million from 6.2 million admissions.[35] Along with the Gods holds the record for the fastest film to reach 7, 8 and 9 million views in South Korean box office history.[36][37] It passed 10 million views on August 16, 2018.[38] The film passed 12 million views as of August 30, 2018, becoming the 13th most-watched film of all time in South Korea.[39]

Taiwan

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On its first day of release, Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days scored 37 million.[40][41] It became the film with the biggest opening week gross for any Korean film in Taiwan, scoring 5.8 million in ticket sales in a week. The film had the third-highest first week sales after Avengers: Infinity War and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in Taiwan.[42]

Hong Kong

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Prior to its official release, Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days scored 8 million in pre-sale in Hong Kong.[43] On its day of release in Hong Kong, the film earned 3.18 million, topping the box office.[44] On August 9, the film reached 10 million[45] and scored 20 million on its fourth day of its release,[46] achieving the highest first week sales in Hong Kong.[42]

Other countries

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Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days had the biggest opening week gross for any Korean film in North America, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.[42]

Awards and nominations

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Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
27th Buil Film Awards Best Director Kim Yong-hwa Nominated [47]
Best Art Direction Lee Mok-won Nominated
55th Grand Bell Awards Best Film Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days Nominated [48]
[49]
Best Director Kim Yong-hwa Nominated
Best Editing Kim Jin-oh, Kim Hye-jin Nominated
Best Art Direction Lee Mok-won Nominated
Best Costume Design Jo Sang-kyung Nominated
Technical Award Jin Jong-hyun Won
Best Planning Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days Nominated
39th Blue Dragon Film Awards Audience Choice Award for Most Popular Film Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2nd) Won [50]
18th Director's Cut Awards Best New Actor Do Kyung-soo Won [51]
55th Baeksang Arts Awards Technical Award Jin Jong-hyun (VFX) Nominated [52]

Sequels

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Third and fourth installments are currently in development, with Kim Yong-hwa returning to direct the sequels.[53]

References

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  1. ^ a b "[Herald Review] 'Along With Gods' all about spectacular visuals". 13 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018)". Korean Film Biz Zone.
  3. ^ ALONG WITH THE GODS: THE LAST 49 DAYS | British Board of Film Classification
  4. ^ "Director feels great pressure before release of sequel to highly successful 'Along With the Gods'". Yonhap News Agency. 6 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Will 'Along with the Gods' create a second box office smash?". Kpop Herald. 6 July 2018.
  6. ^ "'Along with Gods' looks to be another blockbuster". The Korea Times. 25 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days". Well Go USA Entertainment. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  8. ^ "Along with the Gods 2: The Last 49 Days 《与神同行2之终极审判》This August 这个八月". Facebook. July 21, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  9. ^ "[Herald Review] 'Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days' tries too hard". Kpop Herald. 25 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Ha Jung-woo signs up for webtoon-based movie". The Korea Times. 22 October 2015.
  11. ^ "(Yonhap Interview) Actor Ju Ji-hoon: Shooting two films simultaneously was tough but memorable". Yonhap News Agency. 27 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Along WIth Gods 2, Aong With Marvely Ma Dong-seok". Star News. 6 July 2018.
  13. ^ "[Interview] Kim Dong-wook Talks About "Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds"". HanCinema. Ilgan Sports. 7 July 2017.
  14. ^ "EXO's D.O to star in film 'With God'". Kpop Herald. 14 April 2016.
  15. ^ "Lee Joon-hyuk to join "Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds" as elite soldier". HanCinema. 11 May 2016.
  16. ^ a b "'Along with the Gods 2' finds actors". Korea JoongAng Daily. 29 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Lee Jung-jae, D.O., Kim Ha-neul join 'With God'". The Korea Herald. 9 May 2016.
  18. ^ [팝인터뷰]성동일 "'신과함께2' 특별출연..김용화 감독 내 장면 만들어". Herald Corporation (in Korean). 1 July 2018.
  19. ^ "1st Part of ALONG WITH THE GODS Confirmed for Summer 2017". Korean Film Council. 4 January 2017.
  20. ^ "电影与神同行演员阵容曝光 5月开拍定档17年上映_Wed114结婚网". www.wed114.cn. Archived from the original on 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  21. ^ "Two stars cut from 'Along with the Gods 2'". Korea JoongAng Daily. 3 March 2018.
  22. ^ "Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  23. ^ "'Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  24. ^ "Review: From dinosaurs to courtroom drama, overstuffed Korean epic 'Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days' entertains". LA Times. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  25. ^ '신과함께2' 예매율 60% 압도적 1위...역대 최고 기록 (in Korean). 31 August 2017.
  26. ^ "'Along With the Gods 2' sets opening record". Korea JoongAng Daily. 3 August 2018.
  27. ^ "'Along With the Gods 2' sets opening day record in S. Korea". Yonhap News Agency. 2 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Sequel to Fantasy Spectacle Draws 1 Million Viewers on Opening Day". The Chosun Ilbo. 2 August 2018.
  29. ^ "Along With The Gods 2 Breaks Record On Opening Day". Star News. 2 August 2018.
  30. ^ [공식입장] '신과함께' 300만 돌파, '전편·명량' 꺾고 역대 최단 기록 (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  31. ^ "[DA:박스] '신과함께: 인과 연' 107만명 동원…단 이틀 만에 234만" (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  32. ^ "Fantasy Sequel Draws More Than 6 Million Viewers in a Week". The Chosun Ilbo. 6 August 2018.
  33. ^ '신과함께' 5일 째 500만 돌파…神들린 기록 행진 (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  34. ^ "'Along With the Gods 2' debuts strong at weekend box office". Yonhap News Agency. 6 August 2018.
  35. ^ Kil, Sonia (2018-08-06). "Korea Box Office: 'Along With the Gods' Sequel Beats 'Mission Impossible'". Variety. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  36. ^ [박스오피스IS] '신과함께2', 오늘 700만 돌파..개봉 7일만 '대기록' (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-08-08.[permanent dead link]
  37. ^ "'Along With the Gods 2' tops 8 mln on 9th day of release". Yonhap News Agency. 10 August 2018.
  38. ^ "Fantasy Sequel Passes 10-Million Viewer Milestone". The Chosun Ilbo. 16 August 2018.
  39. ^ '신과함께2', 1200만 돌파→대만 韓 영화 흥행 2위 '신기록' [공식입장]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). 30 August 2018.
  40. ^ "《與神2》台首日票房3700萬 河正宇上下集拍到錯亂 | 蘋果日報". 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  41. ^ 自由娛樂 (12 August 2018). "神速! 與神2上映3天全台票房破億 - 自由娛樂". ent.ltn.com.tw. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  42. ^ a b c "[N이슈] '신과함께2', 대만·북미 등 6개국서 韓 영화 오프닝 신기록" (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  43. ^ "《與神同行2》香港開畫日票房破千萬 揭朱智勳河正宇「兄弟情」 - 20180810 - SHOWBIZ - 明報OL網". 明報OL網 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  44. ^ 施玲玲 (2018-08-10). "【與神同行2】開畫票房贏《屍殺列車》 馬東石教講廣東話答謝". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  45. ^ 施玲玲 (2018-08-10). "【與神同行2】開畫票房贏《屍殺列車》 馬東石教講廣東話答謝". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  46. ^ 羅偉強 (2018-08-12). "【與神同行2】港票房極速破2000萬 單日票房冠絕今年亞洲電影". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  47. ^ "[23회 부산국제영화제] 부일영화상". Busan Ilbo (in Korean). 20 September 2018.
  48. ^ 제55회 대종상, 각 부문 후보 공개…'공작' 12개 최다부문 노미네이트. Seoul Sports (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  49. ^ '버닝', 대종상 작품상 영예...1주기 故김주혁, 특별상 수상 [종합]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). 22 October 2018.
  50. ^ [청룡영화상] 김윤석·한지민 남녀주연상…'1987' 최우수작품상(종합) (in Korean). 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  51. ^ Myung, Hee-sook (December 14, 2018). [디렉터스컷 어워즈] 도경수, 새로운 남자배우상 수상 "특별하고 감사해" [[Director's Cut Awards] Do Kyung-soo, New Actor Award "Special and grateful"]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  52. ^ Cho, Yeon-gyeong (April 5, 2019). 55회 백상예술대상 영화부문 최종 후보 공개. Is Plus (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  53. ^ "'Along With The Gods' Executive Producer Announces Plans For 3rd And 4th Films". Soompi.
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