Alienoid (original title: Oegye+in 1bu) is a 2022 South Korean sci-fi fantasy film directed by Choi Dong-hoon, known for his stylish and high-concept storytelling. The movie mixes science fiction, time travel, martial arts, and alien invasion — yes, all at once — and somehow makes it work. It’s the first part of a planned duology, with Alienoid: Part 2 following in 2024.
Detailed Summary
Opening: When Aliens Meet Ancient Korea
The film kicks off with a bold premise — aliens have been secretly imprisoning their criminal kind inside human bodies on Earth for centuries. Two alien wardens, Guard and his AI companion Thunder, are tasked with monitoring these imprisoned beings. Their advanced spaceship, their holographic tech, and the neon-hued energy blasts immediately set the tone: this is not your average historical fantasy.
Dual Timelines: 14th Century and Modern Day
The story unfolds across two timelines — the Goryeo Dynasty (14th century) and present-day Korea. In the past, sorcerers and Taoist masters seek a mysterious divine object called the Divine Blade (or “The God’s Blade”), which grants immense power. Meanwhile, in the present, Guard (Ryu Jun-yeol) and Thunder are dealing with rogue aliens attempting to break free from their human hosts.
These two stories are intricately connected — though at first, the connection isn’t obvious. The film jumps between timelines, slowly weaving them together as the mystery deepens.
The Child and the Key to the Future
Guard rescues a baby girl from an alien-related incident in the present day and raises her as his own. Her name is Ean (played by Kim Tae-ri). Years later, she becomes a fearless woman drawn into the interdimensional conflict, unknowingly carrying secrets that could alter the fate of both timelines.
The Goryeo Sorcerers and the Divine Blade
In the past timeline, we meet a charming bounty hunter and Taoist master known as Mureuk (also Ryu Jun-yeol in a dual role). He’s after the Divine Blade, along with several quirky sorcerers — each with their own agendas and special powers. What begins as a mystical treasure hunt soon takes a sci-fi twist as mysterious metal fragments and alien energy appear in ancient Korea.
The Alien Prison Break
In the present, alien criminals start escaping their human prisons, wreaking havoc. One of them plans to unleash mass destruction on Earth. Guard and Thunder attempt to stop it but face betrayal from within their own ranks. Their technology, which allows them to freeze time or teleport, leads to some dazzling action scenes — especially one involving a chase through the skies over Seoul.
Movie Ending
The film’s climax brings both timelines to a head.
In the modern timeline, Guard fights a massive alien invasion as several prisoners are freed. Thunder sacrifices itself to save Guard and Ean, leading to one of the film’s most emotional moments. Meanwhile, Ean accidentally triggers a temporal anomaly, sending her consciousness (and possibly her body) back to the Goryeo Dynasty.
In the past timeline, Mureuk and the sorcerers realize that the Divine Blade is not a magical artifact but alien technology capable of sealing or destroying these extraterrestrial beings. As the alien presence merges with Goryeo’s mystical world, the boundaries between magic and science blur entirely.
In the closing scenes, Ean (from the future) arrives in the 14th century, meeting Mureuk face to face — revealing the two timelines have finally collided. It’s an explosive ending that answers some questions while setting up even bigger ones for Part 2.
Ean’s arrival hints that she might be the key to stopping a war across time and space — and that her connection to Guard is more complicated than she realizes. The movie ends mid-cliffhanger, with the Divine Blade activating and a massive alien energy surge threatening to tear through history itself.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes. Alienoid (2022) features a mid-credits scene, not a full post-credits one.
The short clip teases the continuation of the story, confirming that Part 2 is coming and that the characters’ journeys are far from over. The scene adds a bit of mystery rather than resolution, so it’s worth staying until it plays.
Type of Movie
Genre-wise, Alienoid is a blend of:
- Science fiction
- Fantasy
- Action adventure
- Time travel drama
It’s often described as “Doctor Strange meets The Matrix meets The Wailing”, but with that distinct Korean genre-mixing flair.
Cast
- Ryu Jun-yeol as Guard / Mureuk
- Kim Tae-ri as Ean
- So Ji-sub as Moon Do-seok (detective in the present timeline)
- Yum Jung-ah as Heug-seol (sorceress)
- Jo Woo-jin as Cheong-woon
- Kim Eui-sung as Ja-jang
- Honey Lee (Lee Ha-nee) as Min Gae-in
- Shin Jung-geun and Lee Si-hoon as comedic Taoist assistants
Film Music and Composer
The film’s music was composed by Jang Young-gyu, known for The Wailing and Train to Busan. The soundtrack blends traditional Korean instruments with futuristic electronic tones, perfectly reflecting the movie’s dual-era narrative.
Filming Locations
Most of the film was shot in Korea, including:
- Jeonju and Gyeongju for the Goryeo-era scenes, providing authentic historical architecture.
- Seoul and Incheon for modern-day sequences, enhanced with CGI for futuristic tech and alien landscapes.
These contrasting settings are essential — the lush ancient scenery grounds the mystical past, while the modern urban skyline amplifies the sci-fi chaos.
Awards and Nominations
While Alienoid received mixed critical reviews, it was praised for its visual effects and ambition. It earned nominations at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Grand Bell Awards for:
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Production Design
- Best Supporting Actress (Yum Jung-ah)
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Choi Dong-hoon spent over 5 years developing the script and world-building before filming.
- The movie used over 2,000 VFX shots, one of the largest in Korean cinema.
- Ryu Jun-yeol trained in both wire stunts and historical sword fighting for his dual roles.
- Kim Tae-ri filmed intense green-screen scenes for weeks due to the heavy CGI sequences.
- The concept was so ambitious that the studio greenlit both parts simultaneously, shooting them back-to-back.
Inspirations and References
Alienoid draws inspiration from:
- Korean folklore and Taoist legends.
- Western sci-fi such as The Terminator, Men in Black, and Interstellar.
- Philosophical questions about fate and destiny, reminiscent of Cloud Atlas and Arrival.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Some deleted sequences reportedly explored more of Guard’s backstory and Thunder’s personality. However, these were cut to keep the runtime below 140 minutes. No alternate ending exists, but Part 2 continues the story directly from the cliffhanger.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Alienoid is not based on a book, but it feels like a cinematic novel — packed with lore, mythology, and parallel timelines. The complexity is fully original, written by Choi Dong-hoon himself.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening sequence where an alien is extracted from a human host.
- Guard rescuing baby Ean amidst chaos, blending emotion and action.
- The time-freeze sequence in Seoul, showcasing breathtaking VFX.
- Ean’s sudden arrival in the Goryeo era, bridging both timelines.
Iconic Quotes
- Guard: “We protect them, but they’ll never know.”
- Ean: “The stars aren’t just above us — they’re inside us.”
- Mureuk: “Magic? Science? What’s the difference when you’re about to die?”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Divine Blade’s design subtly resembles alien tech from The Fifth Element.
- A shop sign in modern Seoul reads “Thunder Repairs,” a nod to the AI companion.
- The opening spaceship model is similar to Korean myths of “Heaven’s Chariot.”
- The baby’s bracelet in the opening scene is identical to Ean’s adult accessory — a clue to her identity.
Trivia
- Filming took place during the pandemic, causing major schedule delays.
- The production built multiple full-scale spaceship interiors rather than relying solely on CGI.
- Kim Tae-ri reportedly improvised parts of her dialogue for comedic timing.
- Choi Dong-hoon described Alienoid as “a bridge between Eastern myth and Western science.”
Why Watch?
If you love movies that refuse to be boxed into a single genre, Alienoid is for you. It’s visually spectacular, narratively bold, and unapologetically weird — a film that rewards patience and curiosity. Think of it as a Korean blockbuster that dares to be both philosophical and chaotic in equal measure.
Director’s Other Movies
- Assassination (2015)
- The Thieves (2012)
- Tazza: The High Rollers (2006)
- The Big Swindle (2004)
- Alienoid: The Return to the Future (2024)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)
- The Witch: Part 1 – The Subversion (2018)
- The Matrix (1999)
- Cloud Atlas (2012)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Time to Hunt (2020)
