Although Seoul is an already famous city known for its bustling lifestyle and bright nightlife, this creative animated romance on Netflix reimagines this well-known city in a colorfully new and futuristic way.
Lost In Starlight is the first Korean animated film to be featured on Netflix. From the beautifully animated characters to the lively backgrounds, the story leaps off the screen, and its artsy expressions are not only enjoyable but also memorable for viewers. Directed by Han Ji Won, stars Kim Tae Ri and Hong Kyung take the leads and voice characters Nan Young and Jay. The two have a real knack for voice acting as they breathed life into the characters, and viewers can easily feel a sense of realism from the two leads as they act out every scenario. In particular, Hong Kyung’s deep voice suits Jay’s gentle but firm personality, and Kim Tae Ri excellently showcased her English speaking skills throughout the film’s dialogue.
With a focus on space and at times neo-punk flair, the theme shines and sparks interest in what the future might look like. From the get-go, the vivid colors and city pop-inspired vibes stand out and capture our eyes. The various settings traverse all of Seoul, and multiple landmarks such as the peaceful Han River, futuristic Dongdaemun Plaza and the iconic Seoul City Wall are each represented beautifully. The animation doesn’t cut corners nor lacks details, as even the tiniest of alleys and hole-in-the-wall restaurants are well-represented and capture the essence of Korea’s modern culture and lifestyle. The story’s 2050 cyber hi-tech society is eye-catching, and it feels like a believable portrayal of Seoul’s fast-paced future.
The story is cheesy but charming, a perfect combination for fans of simple and heart-warming love stories. Although it is met with two climactic tragedies, love prevails in this sweet and cliché romance. At times, their love makes our hearts flutter and dances into our minds, but it did feel rushed and sudden rather than well-developed and detailed. Love at first sight comes to mind while watching their story unfold. However, the plot doesn’t lack depth despite its simplicity. It raises the question if love gets in the way of our selfish dreams or if love is what makes us stronger, as it lifts us up to prevail and do better under its supportive wing.
The scoring was well done and the songs provided for the feature went hand and hand with the theme and atmosphere. During romantic kiss scenes and charming dates, the soundtrack felt immersive and could easily transport viewers to moments where a favorite pop song has you thinking about someone special. From start to finish, many aspects of this animated film were well-developed and thoroughly thought through. The only complaints would be the rushed romance, which loses a natural spark most budding romances have and the perilous ending that started off dramatic but suddenly resolved with little explanation. The happy ending seemed more important to create rather than a typical cliffhanger most K-Dramas would provide.
Another big point of debate was whether or not Lost In Starlight is considered an anime or not. Some fans had mixed opinions and even poorly rated the animation since it couldn’t be considered anime. At times, the animation could feel a bit different than usual such as the kiss scenes or the way the lips or eyes were animated, but it didn’t stop it from losing its charm. In the end, animation comes in various forms and a label shouldn’t stop this wonderful series from finding success.
Overall, Lost In Starlight is a futuristic story, but the classic and at times mundane love story proves that romantic cliches are timeless. It is easy to watch and the vibrant drawings and portrayals of Seoul are a must-see. The animation doesn’t shy away from being different and unique, which makes it a charming watch for fans of animated love stories. A quick but enjoyable watch. (7.5/10)
>> Kim Tae Ri and Hong Kyung Explore Love, Loss and Voice Acting in Netflix’s ‘Lost in Starlight’
