Director Won Dong-yeon Confirms Ongoing Development of 'Along with the Gods' Drama Adaptation

Won Dong-yeon, the head of the production company behind the film 'The World of the Married' (전지적 독자 시점), recently shared updates on the highly anticipated drama adaptation of 'Along with the Gods' (신과함께). In an interview held on July 22 at a café in Yeouido, Seoul, he stated that the project is still in progress.

'Along with the Gods' is based on a web novel that has garnered over 300 million views globally. The story follows Kim Dokja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), the sole reader of a novel that becomes reality on its final day, as he navigates a post-apocalyptic world alongside the main character Yoo Jung-hyuk (played by Lee Min-ho) and his companions. The film, which has a production budget of approximately 30 billion KRW, features a star-studded cast including Lee Min-ho, Ahn Hyo-seop, Cha Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, Nana, and BLACKPINK's Jisoo. Directed by Kim Byung-woo, known for his work on 'The Terror Live' (2013) and 'PMC: The Bunker' (2018), this film marks his return after seven years.

Won Dong-yeon, who began his career as a screenwriter in 1995 with 'Run Away with Money' (돈을 갖고 튀어라), transitioned to producing and has since created numerous successful films, including '200 Pounds Beauty' (미녀는 괴로워) and the 'Along with the Gods' series, which made history by producing two sequels simultaneously, achieving over 10 million admissions each.

Currently, 'Along with the Gods' has secured pre-sales in 113 countries, including Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Europe, and North America, signaling strong global interest. Notably, it is set to be released in Germany, where Korean films rarely screen in theaters. The film has also achieved a real-time reservation rate of nearly 30% just a day before its release, ranking first in ticket sales.

Regarding the potential for an OTT series adaptation of 'Along with the Gods', Won stated, "There’s no reason we can’t do it. It’s not a trade secret. The reason we are releasing the first part in theaters is that I wondered if such scale, action, and mise-en-scène should be viewed on a phone."

He emphasized the film's themes of human connection and cooperation in times of crisis, suggesting that experiencing it in a communal setting would enhance its impact.

While the drama adaptation of 'Along with the Gods' was officially announced, progress has been slower than expected. Won explained, "The drama is still in development, but it’s not an easy process. The production cost for Korean series typically caps at 5 billion KRW per episode, while 'Along with the Gods' has a budget of 30 billion KRW for a two-hour runtime. If it were to be adapted into a series, each episode would effectively cost around 15 billion KRW."

He also noted that creating a series with high-quality visual effects and CGI for under 10 billion KRW per episode is challenging, given audience expectations. He expressed a desire to establish a franchise in the Korean film industry, similar to 'Along with the Gods' and 'The Outlaws' (범죄도시), to ensure that successful films are fully utilized.

The film's ending includes a post-credit scene that hints at a sequel, but Won acknowledged that the success of the first film is crucial for any further developments. He estimated that the film needs to surpass 6 million admissions to be considered successful, although he hopes for even more. He concluded by expressing a wish to create a stable franchise in the Korean film industry, allowing him to retire with satisfaction.