Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) is a Korean-language superhero film adapted from Manga, directed by Kim Yong-hwa and starring Ha Jung-woo and Cha Tae-hyun. The film is a standalone production outside any shared cinematic universe and was released by Dexter Studios. Audience rating: 7.3/10.
What is Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) about?
A brave firefighter dies and is escorted by three guardians through seven trials in the afterlife — a court in hell — before he can be reincarnated. Based on Joo Ho-min's popular manhwa.
Released in 2017, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds was directed by Kim Yong-hwa and produced under the Dexter Studios banner. The film occupies a significant place within the Independent — telling a self-contained story outside of shared-continuity superhero franchises.
The film features lead performances from Ha Jung-woo, Cha Tae-hyun, Ju Ji-hoon, among others, anchoring a story that adapts characters first brought to life in Manga. Its source material gives the film a foundation rooted in decades of published storytelling, which Yong-hwa and the creative team interpret through a cinematic lens.
Its 7.3 rating reflects a film that divided audiences — appreciated for its ambition and spectacle by some, criticized for pacing and execution by others. Its place in the genre remains a frequent discussion point.
What happens in Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)? — Full Plot
We open in Seoul. Firefighter Kim Ja-hong (Cha Tae-hyun) dies trying to rescue a child from a fire. His soul is met by three guardians — Gang Lim (Ha Jung-woo), the chief guardian; Hae Won-maek (Joo Ji-hoon), the warrior; and Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi), the lawyer.
The guardians inform Kim Ja-hong that he must pass through Seven Hells (Korean Buddhist judgment realms) to be reincarnated. Each Hell judges him on a specific moral category: betrayal, sloth, violence, indolence, deceit, injustice, and impiety.
The film unfolds as a series of trials in different Hells. Each trial is visually distinct — particular Korean Buddhist iconography, monsters, and judgment formats. Kim Ja-hong must defend his actions against demonic prosecutors.
Kim Ja-hong's defense gradually reveals more about his life. He had been a single father raising his sister Su-hong. He had been working multiple jobs to support her. The flashbacks reveal his deep moral commitment.
The chief guardian Gang Lim discovers a secret about Kim Ja-hong's past — his sister Su-hong has died in a suspicious accident months before his own death. Kim Ja-hong was unaware of his sister's death because he had been working a long shift.
Kim Ja-hong's case becomes complicated by the suspicious circumstances of his sister's death. The guardians' final judgment depends on resolving the mystery of Su-hong's death.
The film closes with Kim Ja-hong's judgment being delayed for further investigation. Su-hong's case carries into the sequel Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018). Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds was South Korea's highest-grossing film of 2017.
Who stars in Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)?
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What are some facts about Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)?
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds released in 2017, placing it within the 2010s era of comic book cinema — a decade that saw superhero films become the dominant force at the global box office.
Directed by Kim Yong-hwa, the film was produced by Dexter Studios and adapts source material from Manga.
The principal cast features Ha Jung-woo and Cha Tae-hyun, with key supporting roles played by Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hyang-gi.
The film belongs to Independent — an independent / standalone production, not tied to a shared cinematic universe.
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds carries an audience rating of 7.3 — putting it in the solid-to-excellent tier of the genre.
The Manga source material for Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds has been in continuous publication for decades, giving filmmakers a rich well of storylines, character arcs, and iconography to draw upon.
Modern superhero films like this one use a mix of practical effects and digital VFX, with entire sequences often shot against volume walls or LED stages pioneered by shows like The Mandalorian.
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds is catalogued on Movies on Comics among our collection of 162 comic book films spanning 48 years of cinema — from Richard Donner's 1978 Superman to the present day.
