On February 28, 2025, Bong Joon-ho's highly anticipated sci-fi film 'Miki 17' premiered across South Korea, quickly positioning itself at the top of the box office with impressive ticket reservation rates. By 7 AM on release day, the film boasted a 67.8% reservation rate, equaling approximately 319,000 tickets sold, surpassing competing films such as 'The Exorcist' and 'Captain America: Brave New World'.
'Miki 17', six years in the making since the acclaimed 'Parasite' won the Academy Awards, takes viewers on a futuristic adventure centered around disposable clone workers sent to colonize ice planets. The film stars prominent actors including Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Tony Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, all acclaimed for their acting prowess.
Based on Edward Ashton’s gripping novel 'Miki 7', the film explores the concept of clones who undergo multiple iterations, embodying themes of identity and existentialism. "I wrote the script back in September 2021 with the political climate creating echoes for some characters," Bong remarked, tying the film's narrative to contemporary political issues.
Upon its release, the film received positive reviews with Metacritic reporting it at 75 points. Critics praised the film for maintaining Bong’s signature storytelling style, engaging with human identity and the moral dilemmas presented by cloning. "We wanted to address issues of hate within the narrative," Bong expressed, pointing to character development as pivotal to the plot.
Bong noted this film's turning point was the relationship between Miki (played by Pattinson) and Nasha (played by Ackie), bringing human connections to the forefront. "This project features top Hollywood actors bringing both star power and acting skills," he stated, emphasizing how each actor brought to life their complex characters.
Director Bong's past works have created high expectations, with previous films like 'Parasite' and 'Snowpiercer' captivating audiences worldwide. Their successes greatly contributed to Bong Joon-ho’s reputation as one of the leading filmmakers today. 'Parasite’, which won multiple awards including the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, solidified his position as industry royalty.
The film's budget of $118 million marks it as one of the more substantial Korean productions, reflecting the growing investment within the nation’s film industry. Discussing the scale of production, Bong shared, "Creating this film was no small feat; we shot with elaborate sets, incorporating elements from real-world analogs to craft the extraterrestrial experience convincingly."
On the broader spectrum, Bong will engage with audiences directly through Q&A sessions following the showings, allowing viewers to connect with the mind behind the film. Scheduled for March 8 and 9 at Megabox Coex and Lotte Cinema World Tower, these interactions will provide insights and create dialogues surrounding the film's themes and depiction.
Despite challenges faced during the production phase, including adapting the story to more instantaneous reflections of societal issues, Bong remains optimistic. His aim is to leave audiences not only entertained but also with food for thought. "I aimed to make the audience unable to look at their phones for two hours," Bong remarked, highlighting his dedication to audience engagement through immersive storytelling.
With 'Miki 17', Bong Joon-ho invites viewers to explore new horizons through the narrative of clones and humanity, bridging the gap between sci-fi fantasies and our earthly realities, hoping to resonate with the audience on multiple levels. This new venture is expected to breathe life back to the theatres as the film industry evolves and adapts to new storytelling methods, confirming Bong’s status as not just relevant but revolutionary within modern cinema.