AI-powered visuals meet Korean cinema in a fresh, boundary-pushing chase.

Things once imagined only in the realm of fantasy unfold vividly on the screen. In a starkly realistic, everyday setting, it conjures unreal stories and visuals, a fresh viewing experience born from the convergence of AI technology and Korea’s film industry, The Intermediary Realm. The Intermediary Realm opens on the 15th as a pursuit-action blockbuster about people trapped in the liminal space between life and death, chased by grim reapers who seek to erase their souls. The story begins with Jaebum, a billionaire said to run illegal online gambling sites in the Philippines, who returns to Korea after hearing his mother’s obituary and heads to the funeral home. There, Jaebum is joined by Jang-won from the International Crime Information Center, as well as detective Min-yeong, broadcaster Seok-tae of the current affairs division, and actress Seola. The Intermediary Realm marks Korea’s first feature-length AI-assisted production, drawing significant attention from the industry from development onward. Director Kang Yoon-sung wrote and directed, while Kwon Han-seul designed 18 creatures and action sequences including the grim reapers, contributing AI direction to the project. The story and visuals feel fresh. The premise—a chase among those trapped in the Intermediary Realm—finds the protagonists confronting, among others, the 12 zodiac guardians as grim reapers, and clashes with Jogyesa’s Four Heavenly Kings and the Haetae in Gwanghwamun Square. Stellar performances from Byun Yo-han, Kim Kang-woo, Yang Se-jong, Bang Hyo-rin, Im Hyung-jun and Im Moo-saeng elevate the audience’s immersion. Yet as the film unfolds, the reliance on chase sequences and the incongruity between performances and AI visuals in certain stretches dulls the focus. Nevertheless, AI-enabled effects allow car-explosion sequences that would normally take 4-5 days of CG work to be completed in about 1-2 hours, illustrating the high efficiency and raising expectations for future AI-assisted Korean cinema. As a feature-length film that fully embraces AI, The Intermediary Realm marks a meaningful challenge. As a feature-length film with a concise 60-minute runtime and an affordable 8,000-won ticket price, it offers a clear incentive to watch. At the same time, with two ready-to-go scripts in place, the ending’s abruptness may feel disjointed. With unresolved narrative threads, all eyes are on whether The Intermediary Realm can achieve box-office success and energize Korea’s film industry, as its technological and narrative ambitions unfold. Rated for ages 15 and up, with a running time of 60 minutes.