Space Sweepers

During the year 2092, Tae-ho, Captain Jang, Tiger Park and an android named Bubs are a crew of space sweepers who live at an orbiting space station created by the UTS corporation after Earth becomes uninhabitable. Under the leadership of Sullivan, UTS has also created artificial planetoids for a select group of humans, who live idyllic lives. UTS has also terraformed Mars, intending to colonise the planet. By contrast, 90% of humanity lives in poverty and squalor on a dying Earth.

Tae-ho's crew struggle with mounting debts, loan sharks, and competition from other space sweepers. During their work, Captain discovers a child robot named Dorothy, who contains a weapon of mass destruction purportedly created by the terrorist group "Black Foxes". They negotiate a ransom for returning Dorothy, but their plan is foiled when UTS soldiers stage a massacre at the club where the exchange was supposed to take place. Following the massacre, the UTS frames Tae-ho and his crew as terrorists.

While the crew initially view Dorothy as an object, their feelings towards the girl soften. For Tae-ho, Dorothy reminds him of his adopted daughter Kim Su-ni, who was blown out into space during a space accident. Tae-ho and Jang were once UTS soldiers but defected after being forced to kill refugees fleeing Earth and incurring the wrath of Sullivan. Bubs and Park also befriend Dorothy.

Tae-ho and his group come into conflict with the Black Foxes, led by Karum. Following a confrontation on a space station, Karum reveals that the Black Fox are not terrorists but rather environmentalists seeking to return Dorothy to her father Kang Hyeon-u, a dissident scientist who has fallen afoul of Sullivan. Dorothy is revealed to be Kang Kot-nim, a human who was injected with nanobots by her father in an attempt to heal her. Sullivan wants Kang because her nanobots can interact with other nanobots, making her a superweapon.

Sullivan's UTS forces track down the two groups and kill the Black Foxes. However, he spares Tae-ho, Jang, Park and Bubs due to his past relationships with the former two. In return for Tae-ho surrendering Kang Kot-nim, Sullivan grants the space sweepers an amnesty and a lump sum to cover their debts. Tae-ho uses his share of the money to fund an expedition to find his lost daughter Kim Su-ni but feels guilty about betraying Kang.

Sullivan intends to use Kang Kot-nim's nanobots to control a bomb fitted into an orbital factory. He intends to cause the factory to crash into the Earth, causing a cataclysmic accident. Tae-ho's team rescue Kang but struggle to disable the bomb and stop the collision. They enlist the help of the other spacers in stopping the collision. During a climactic battle with Sullivan, Tae-ho and his companions manage to detach the bomb from the orbital factory. Sullivan is killed when the bomb collides with his spaceship.

Following the battle, UTS makes reparations to those affected by Sullivan's crimes. Kang Kot-nim is adopted by Tae-ho and his crew, who are richer and settle scores with their crooked financial manager. Tae-ho also reconnects with Kim Su-ni on the astral plane while Bubs obtains a female human body.

• Song Joong-ki as Kim Tae-ho – Former Commander of the Space Guards and the first ever UTS Genius.
• Kim Tae-ri as Captain Jang / Jang Hyun-sook – Former Special Forces Squad officer who later deserted her post to create her own pirate organization. She attempted to assassinate CEO James Sullivan in which her entire pirate crew were killed.
• Jin Seon-kyu as Tiger Park / Park Kyung-soo – Former Drug King who escaped Earth after being arrested and sentenced to death.
• Yoo Hae-jin as Robot Bubs – Former military robot trying to save up for a skin graft
• Richard Armitage as James Sullivan – The CEO of UTS and the main antagonist. A survivor of World War II who has grown disgusted with humanity throughout his long life. He seeks to destroy the Earth and its people so he can start again in Mars with his followers, to turn it into a new Eden.
• Kim Mu-yeol as Kang Hyeon-u – Kang Kot-nim's father and a scientist.
• {{ill|Park Ye-rin (actress)|ko|박예린|lt=Park Ye-rin}} as Dorothy / Kang Kot-nim – a robot who is the target of pursuit by multiple factions.
• {{ill|Oh Ji-yul|ko|오지율}} as Kim Su-ni – Tae-ho's adopted daughter
• Anupam Tripathi as Sullivan's assistant
• Kim Hyang-gi as Bubs' new body
• Christian Lagahit as Restaurant manager
• Nas Brown as Karum, leader of the Black Foxes

The film criticises capitalism.{{cite web|url=https://mythcreants.com/blog/space-sweepers-shows-us-what-excellent-messaging-is/|title=Space Sweepers Shows Us What Excellent Messaging Is|website=Mythcreants|date=5 March 2021 |access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005082742/https://mythcreants.com/blog/space-sweepers-shows-us-what-excellent-messaging-is/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tor.com/2021/02/08/space-sweepers-might-be-the-best-sci-fi-blockbuster-of-the-21st-century/|title=Space Sweepers Might Be the Best Sci-Fi Blockbuster of the 21st Century|website=Tor.com|date=8 February 2021|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=8 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208183626/https://www.tor.com/2021/02/08/space-sweepers-might-be-the-best-sci-fi-blockbuster-of-the-21st-century/|url-status=live}} The process of the colonization of Mars in the film has been compared to billionaires prepping for an apocalypse. Avery Kaplan of ComicsBeat noted that "while capitalism may make the members of the Victory crew more likely to go for each others’ throats, it can't completely eradicate their intrinsic morality" and pointed to Bubs' arc as showcasing the barriers to trans healthcare that exist under capitalism.{{cite news|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/space-sweepers-captures-the-hell-of-being-trans-under-capitalism/|title=Space Sweepers captures the hell of being trans under capitalism|website=The Beat|date=March 2021|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005153939/https://www.comicsbeat.com/space-sweepers-captures-the-hell-of-being-trans-under-capitalism/|url-status=live |last1=Kaplan |first1=Avery }} Kambole Campbell of Polygon notes that "one of the film’s most striking elements is its casual multiculturalism. Characters from presumably dissolved nations speak to each other in a mix of their native languages, while English mostly appears as the language of power and of the film’s white antagonists."{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/22269152/space-sweepers-review-netflix|title=Space Sweepers review: Netflix sci-fi movie feels like Cowboy Bebop|website=Polygon|date=5 February 2021|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222042945/https://www.polygon.com/22269152/space-sweepers-review-netflix|url-status=live}}

The early working title of the film was Lightning Arc ({{ko-hhrm|번개호||Beongaeho}}).{{cite web|first=Joo-hyung|last=Kim|url=http://www.beffreport.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=46079|title=송중기 측 "영화 '번개호' 출연, 결정된 바 없다" (공식입장)|date=June 18, 2018|website=Beff Report|language=ko|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210020948/http://www.beffreport.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=46079|url-status=dead}}

Jo Sung-hee started writing the story 10 years prior to the film's release, after a friend talked to him about the dangers of space junk. He said that "It started with the idea of space travelers collecting space junk. I heard about how these fast-moving fragments of space debris are growing and leading to in-space collisions. I realized that this subject has already been dealt with in animations and games, but never in a film. I started writing the script wondering how Koreans, who possess a tenacious mentality, would approach this problem."{{cite web|first=Yeon-soo|last=Kwak|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/08/689_294578.html|title=Song Joong-ki returns to cinema with 'Space Sweepers'|date=August 18, 2020|website=The Korea Times|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-date=February 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211042041/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/08/689_294578.html|url-status=live}}

In May 2019, the Chinese multinational entertainment company Huayi Tencent invested $4.2 million in the film.{{cite web|first=Sonia|last=Kil|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/asia/huayi-tencent-invests-korean-sci-fi-film-victory-1203228825/|title=Huayi Tencent Invests in Korean Sci-Fi Film 'The Victory'|date=May 29, 2019|website=Variety|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112035901/https://variety.com/2019/film/asia/huayi-tencent-invests-korean-sci-fi-film-victory-1203228825/|url-status=live}} The visual effects company Dexter Studios, which was behind the production of the films Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, Ashfall and Wandering Earth, was hired for Space Sweepers.{{cite web|first=Gyu-lee|last=Lee|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/01/689_281234.html|title=What to expect in 2020 box office: upcoming films from comedy to sci-fi|date=January 1, 2020|website=The Korea Times|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112234017/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/01/689_281234.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/06/398_267618.html|title=S. Korean studio receives best visual effects award at Beijing film fest|date=April 23, 2019|website=The Korea Times|access-date=March 20, 2021|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227125421/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/06/398_267618.html|url-status=live}}

In June 2018, it was reported that Song Joong-ki agreed to star in Jo Sung-hee's next film, making it their second collaboration after A Werewolf Boy (2012).{{cite news|url=https://www.hancinema.net/song-joong-ki-reunites-with-director-jo-sung-hee-in-victory-119815.html|title=Song Joong-ki Reunites With Director Jo Sung-hee in "Space Sweepers"|date=June 25, 2018|website=HanCinema|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214083004/https://www.hancinema.net/song-joong-ki-reunites-with-director-jo-sung-hee-in-victory-119815.html|url-status=live}} Kim Tae-ri was offered the role of the spaceship captain in January 2019, followed by Jin Seon-kyu for the role of the keeper in April.{{cite news|url=https://www.hancinema.net/kim-tae-ri-offered-a-role-in-victory-starring-song-joong-ki-126028.html|title=Kim Tae-ri Offered a Role in "Space Sweepers" Starring Song Joong-ki|date=January 24, 2019|website=HanCinema|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406024429/https://www.hancinema.net/kim-tae-ri-offered-a-role-in-victory-starring-song-joong-ki-126028.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Pierce|last=Conran|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=5131&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=victory|title=Jin Seon-kyu Joins Space Drama Victory Ship|date=April 4, 2019|website=Korean Film Council|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311044849/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=5131&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=victory|url-status=live}} The final lineup was confirmed in June 2019, with Yoo Hae-jin joining the main cast in the form of robotic motion capture and voice acting.{{cite web|first=Han-na|last=Lee|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/06/689_270386.html|title=Song Joong-ki cast for blockbuster space movie|date=June 10, 2019|website=The Korea Times|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513171155/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/06/689_270386.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hancinema.net/victory-song-joong-ki-kim-tae-ri-jin-seon-kyu-yoo-hae-jin-on-board-130416.html|title="Space Sweepers" Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu, Yoo Hae-jin on Board|date=June 10, 2019|website=HanCinema|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727101534/https://www.hancinema.net/victory-song-joong-ki-kim-tae-ri-jin-seon-kyu-yoo-hae-jin-on-board-130416.html|url-status=live}} English actor Richard Armitage also revealed through his Instagram account that he would start filming in July 2019, making Space Sweepers his first Korean film.{{cite web|first=Yeon-kyung|last=Cho|url=https://news.joins.com/article/23515559|title="'승리호' 탑승" 英배우 리처드 아미티지, 오늘(4일) 한국行 '인증'|date=July 4, 2019|website=JoongAng Ilbo|language=ko|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311041940/https://news.joins.com/article/23515559|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Sae-jin|last=Park|url=https://www.ajudaily.com/view/20190828100310335|title=British actor Richard Armitage tastes cold noodle at meal with actor Song Joong-ki|date=August 28, 2019|website=Aju Business Daily|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=September 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901152305/http://www.ajudaily.com/view/20190828100310335|url-status=live}}

Principal photography began on July 3, 2019, and filming was completed on November 2.{{cite web|first=Hye-ri|last=Lee|url=https://www.donga.com/news/Entertainment/article/all/20200511/100997800/5|title=영화 '승리호', '우주 청소부' 송중기표 SF물…"기대되네"|date=May 12, 2020|website=DongA|language=ko|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516083249/https://www.donga.com/news/Entertainment/article/all/20200511/100997800/5|url-status=live}}

In June 2020, it was announced that the release was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a plan for the film to premiere during the Chuseok holiday.{{cite web|first=Woo-young|last=Jang|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004223169|title='승리호' 측 "코로나19 여파로 개봉 연기, 여름→추석 검토 중" [공식입장]|date=June 12, 2020|website=Osen|publisher=Naver|language=ko|access-date=June 12, 2020|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616020431/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004223169|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Yeon-soo|last=Kwak|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/06/689_291141.html|title=Summer tent-pole films set new release dates despite increase in movie attendance|date=June 14, 2020|website=The Korea Times|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614075513/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/06/689_291141.html|url-status=live}} In August 2020, the release was once again postponed due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in South Korea.{{cite web|first=Ji-won|last=Choi|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200828000631&np=1&mp=1|title=Song Joong-ki's 'Space Sweepers' release shelved again|date=August 28, 2020|website=The Korea Herald|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829011126/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200828000631&np=1&mp=1|url-status=live}}

In November 2020, it was announced that the film would be released exclusively on Netflix.{{cite web|first=Jae-lim|last=Lee|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/11/20/entertainment/movies/Space-Sweepers-Netflix/20201120170200461.html|title=Korean sci-fi 'Space Sweepers' set for release on Netflix|date=November 20, 2020|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=November 20, 2020|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208223841/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/11/20/entertainment/movies/Space-Sweepers-Netflix/20201120170200461.html|url-status=live}} Space Sweepers was released on February 5, 2021.{{cite web|first=Gyu-lee|last=Lee|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/01/689_302037.html|title=Blockbuster 'Space Sweepers' to debut on Netflix Feb. 5|date=January 6, 2021|website=The Korea Times|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106065126/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/01/689_302037.html|url-status=live}}

In May 2021, Space Sweeper's second film is scheduled to be produced.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-17|title='승리호2' 본격 궤도..정성진·정철민 참여, 송중기 미정|url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2021051710470649078|access-date=May 17, 2021|website=스타뉴스|language=ko|archive-date=2021-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517092602/https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2021051710470649078|url-status=live}}

The film debuted at No.1 on Netflix in 16 countries including France, Malaysia, Croatia, South Korea and Philippines. The movie also dominated Netflix's daily top 10 rankings in 80 countries upon its premiere. Space Sweepers also gathered more than 26 million household viewers on Netflix during the first 28 days of its release or 53,340,000 hours watched.{{cite web|last=Lim|first=Jang-won|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210207000179&np=1&mp=1|date=February 7, 2021|work=The Korea Herald|title='Space Sweepers' debuts at No. 1 on Netflix|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207220123/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210207000179&np=1&mp=1|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kasey |date=2023-02-09 |title=Most Watched Series & Movies on Netflix (Hours Watched) |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/what-to-watch/most-watched-series-movies-of-all-time-hours-watched/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=What's on Netflix |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209202325/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/what-to-watch/most-watched-series-movies-of-all-time-hours-watched/ |url-status=live }}

On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critics consensus reads, "As a story, Space Sweepers isn't as adventurous as its star-navigating protagonists -- but relatable characters and impressive effects keep it from drifting out of orbit."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/space_sweepers|title=Space Sweepers (2021)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=2021-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209213904/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/space_sweepers|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}} On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 64 out of 100, based on reviews from 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/space-sweepers|title=Space Sweepers Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=February 18, 2021|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227153956/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/space-sweepers|url-status=live}}

Zaki Hasan of IGN argued that "even as [the film is] a concoction of various familiar sci-fi tropes, they’ve been reassembled with verve and passion enough to sand down any cynicism when taking it all in."{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/space-sweepers-review|title=Space Sweepers Review|website=IGN|date=8 February 2021 |access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005074033/https://www.ign.com/articles/space-sweepers-review|url-status=live}} Dais Johnston of Inverse argued that the film "proves that Netflix's big bet on international audiences is paying off."{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/space-sweepers-review-netflix|website=inverse.com|title='Space Sweepers' review: Working class save outer space in Netflix's Korean sci-fi|date=8 February 2021 |access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005074119/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/space-sweepers-review-netflix|url-status=live}} Gavia Baker-Whitelaw of The Daily Dot compared the film to Cowboy Bebop and Guardians of the Galaxy, arguing that the film was "hardly groundbreaking stuff" but that "there’s always something fun to look at on-screen", and praising the diversity of the characters, stating that the film "feels far more international than most Hollywood blockbusters."{{cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/movies/netflix-space-sweepers-review/|website=dailydot.com|title=Netflix's 'Space Sweepers' is the First Good Blockbuster of 2021|date=14 February 2021|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=15 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215142636/https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/movies/netflix-space-sweepers-review/|url-status=live}} Karen Han of Slate stated that the film was "one of the rare space operas that doesn’t posit that English has somehow become a universal language" and that Bubs' arc "feels like one small step for transgender representation and, arguably, a giant one for blockbuster filmmaking from any nation."{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/culture/2021/02/space-sweepers-netflix-review-korea-movie-trans-robot.html|author=Karen Han|website=slate.com|title=Space Sweepers movie review: Korea's first space blockbuster just premiered on Netflix, and it's a blast.|date=8 February 2021|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=11 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011073826/https://slate.com/culture/2021/02/space-sweepers-netflix-review-korea-movie-trans-robot.html|url-status=live}}

A webtoon based on the film premiered on May 26, 2020, on Daum and KakaoPage.{{cite web|first=Jae-lim|last=Lee|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/05/25/movies/Space-Sweepers-IP-webtoon/20200525180800170.html|title='Space Sweepers' set for webtoon release ahead of movie premiere|date=May 25, 2020|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525203049/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/05/25/movies/Space-Sweepers-IP-webtoon/20200525180800170.html|url-status=live}} It premiered globally on February 8, 2021.{{cite web|first=Han-sol|last=Park|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/02/689_303824.html|title='Space Sweepers' webtoon premieres in 4 countries|date=February 9, 2021|website=The Korea Times|access-date=February 9, 2021|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209075013/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/02/689_303824.html|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|tt12838766}}
• {{kmdb film|20772}}
• {{hancinema film|Space_Sweepers}}

Category:2010s Korean-language films

Category:Netflix original films

Category:2021 science fiction action films

Category:2010s dystopian films

Category:South Korean post-apocalyptic films

Category:South Korean science fiction action films

Category:Space adventure films

Category:English-language South Korean films

Category:Films set in the 2090s

Category:Films set on spacecraft

Category:Films using motion capture

Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:Films not released in theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:2010s South Korean films