The First Domestic Feature Film Utilizing AI 'Run to the West' By Byun Yo-han: "I Thought AI Cannot Exist Without Human Creativity"

The first domestic feature film produced using artificial intelligence (AI) 〈Run to the West〉 will be released exclusively on the 15th at CGV. At the premiere held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul, the cast and crew shared their views on the significance and limitations of introducing AI technology.

Lead actor Byun Yo-han expressed, "I am very excited and nervous because it is the first AI-utilized film in the country," adding, "It feels like the most serious scientific hearing during a premiere. It feels like a moment of proof after completing the experiment." He mentioned, "I participated with various thoughts on how AI can be utilized in the film industry and how far it can go."

He explained, "Ultimately, I felt that without human imagination and creativity, such as directors, actors, and staff, AI cannot exist," and added, "The breathing and relationships between people were interestingly filmed while acting humanly with the creatures." He also laughed, saying, "I hope articles like 'Actors Who Outperformed AI' come out."

The film 〈Run to the West〉 tells the story of National Intelligence Service agent Lee Jang-won (Byun Yo-han), police officer Jo Min-young (Kim Kang-woo), actress Seol Ah (Bang Hyo-rin), and broadcasting PD Kim Seok-tae (Lim Hyung-joon) as they navigate the world between the living and the dead after a traffic accident. The film actively utilized AI technology in scenes involving creature implementation, vehicle explosions, and building collapses.

Director Kang Yoon-sung, who wrote and directed the film, returned to the theater after six years since 〈Long Live the King〉. He revealed that he received a proposal for an AI short film while filming the Disney+ series 〈Low Life〉 last year, which developed into a 60-minute feature film.

Regarding the background of introducing AI, Director Kang explained, "I saw AI videos and thought they would have a tremendous impact on the video industry, and I wanted to incorporate this into commercial films." He added, "Initially, it was planned as a 2-hour film, but it was not easy to create it that way using AI due to various conditions, so I aimed for a series film and planned it as a 1-hour piece."

The advantages of AI in terms of production efficiency were also highlighted. Director Kang stated, "The vehicle explosion scene, which takes 4 to 5 days for CG work, was completed in 1 to 2 hours using AI," and evaluated, "AI shortened the time and reduced costs."

However, he also clearly stated the limitations of AI. Director Kang remarked, "One actor is all the creators, so AI cannot replace that area," and predicted, "Instead, I think AI might replace scenes that were traditionally done with CG."

They also attempted differentiation in filming methods. The actors acted against a stand-in in scenes where they would face creatures implemented by AI, and unlike traditional CG work, they performed in actual filming locations like Gwanghwamun Square instead of a chroma key studio to enhance realism.

Director Kang expressed, "Seeing the amazing speed of AI's development, I felt that the day when AI is actively used in the film industry is not far off," and predicted, "In the future, it will flow in the direction of reducing production costs and time." He expressed his hope that "AI would become a motive for significant capital to come in and for works to be actively created."

Director Kang hinted at plans for a sequel, stating that he has completed two scripts.