Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds Year: 2017 Country: South Korea Director: Kim Yong-hwa Based on: The webtoon Along with the Gods by Joo Ho-min

★★★★½ (4.5/5) Recommendation: Watch it. Then immediately watch the sequel. Then prepare to cry.

"Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds" was a critical and commercial success, grossing over 80 million tickets worldwide, including 5.5 million tickets in Korea alone. The film received widespread acclaim for its engaging storyline, impressive action sequences, and memorable performances. The movie's success can be attributed to its well-balanced blend of action, drama, and humor, making it an enjoyable ride for audiences of all ages.

The Guardians are not just escorts; they are active participants. Gang-rim’s backstory (hinted at in the film and fully explored in the sequel) suggests that even the judges have sins they are running from.

It also sparked a trend in Korean cinema towards "universe building." The film was deliberately shot back-to-back with its sequel, Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018), which follows a different soul while resolving Gang-rim’s ancient past.

The making of "Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds" was a complex and challenging process, involving a large team of producers, writers, and crew members. In an interview, director Kim Joo-hwan revealed that the film's script went through multiple revisions to ensure that the story was faithful to the original webtoon. The cast also underwent extensive training to prepare for their roles, including learning martial arts and stunts.