'Space Sweepers': The first Korean sci-fi blockbuster launches on Netflix today

The original release date was postponed from last summer

The crew onboard The Victory find a humanlike child robot in 'Space Sweepers'. Courtesy Netflix

The year is 2092. Pollution levels on Earth are so toxic, the planet is becoming uninhabitable. Humanity has no other choice but to start living on Mars, where a new colony is being developed. However, only the wealthy can afford to relocate.

That is the premise for new Korean science-fiction film, Space Sweepers, which is being released on Netflix across the world on Friday, February 5.

Directed by Jo Sung-hee, who was behind 2012 hit A Werewolf Boy, the film is being touted as Korea's first big-budget space adventure.

The story follows the crew of space-garbage collectors aboard The Victory, as they find a wide-eyed humanlike robot and try to escape the destruction of planet Earth.

It stars Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu, Yoo Hae-jin and English actor Richard Armitage.

Space Sweepers was originally meant to hit screens last summer, but those plans were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, Netflix came to the rescue, offering to take up distribution rights.

South Korean star Joong-ki has said he accepted his role in the film before even reading the script. "When I first heard it from director Jo, I was really shocked because it was so new and fresh,” he said in a press conference.

"After decades, literally, he proposed this role and when he said that, I immediately thought I would definitely do it."

Space Sweepers airs on Netflix across the world on Friday, February 5