Doomsday Book – A Unique Korean Sci-Fi Anthology You Shouldn’t Miss

I initially overlooked Doomsday Book because I mistakenly thought it was another version of I, Robot, judging it solely by the poster. That was a huge mistake. The stories in this Korean sci-fi anthology turned out to be far more thought-provoking than I ever expected. Though its structure is unconventional, each of the three segments immerses viewers in a distinct apocalyptic vision.

A Collaboration Between Korean Cinema Giants

Doomsday Book is split into three parts, directed by Kim Jee Woon (I Saw the Devil) and Yim Pil Sung (Hansel and Gretel). For fans of Korean cinema, this combination is explosive: one is a thriller mastermind, the other a mystery genius. Together, they deliver a film that’s visually stunning and tonally diverse, shifting environments and moods with incredible precision.

What Is Doomsday Book About?

The film’s three chapters explore different paths to humanity’s potential downfall:

1. Human Self-Destruction
2. The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
3. An Unexpected Threat from Outer Space

Each story poses unique questions about human nature, responsibility, and our future—wrapped in sharp social commentary and smart sci-fi storytelling.

Segment 1: “A Wonderful New World” – Human Error and Viral Outbreak

This story stars Ryoo Seung Bum (Over My Dead Body) as a soldier working in a military science division, and Go Joon Hee (Queen of Ambition, Architecture 101) as a woman who takes an interest in him. But the real focus is a mysterious disease outbreak threatening to wipe out humanity.

What stands out here is the brutal portrayal of how the media manipulates truth, how political systems react under pressure, and how environmental negligence has consequences. It’s raw, disturbing, and certainly not for the faint of heart.

Segment 2: “The Creation of Heaven” – The Rise of a Conscious Robot

A complete tonal shift from the first story, this tale dives into spiritual philosophy and ethics. Kim Kang Woo (Haeundae Lovers) plays a robot technician, while Kim Gyu Ri stars alongside Kim Seo Hyung (History of the Salaryman) and Jo Yoon Hee (Love in Memory, Nine: Nine Time Travels).

At the center is RU-4 (also called In Myoung), a robot monk who surpasses human enlightenment. His creators see him as defective, but his existence forces a confrontation between science and faith, creator and creation. The dialogue is rich and rapid—prepare to read subtitles quickly!

Segment 3: “Happy Birthday” – A Bizarre and Comedic Take on the Apocalypse

The final story is perhaps the strangest, though still compelling. A young girl accidentally orders a mysterious item online while trying to replace her father’s beloved 8-ball. Two years later, Earth faces annihilation from a strange object approaching from space.

This segment stars Song Sae Byeok (Tone Deaf Clinic), young talent Jin Ji Hee (Hansel and Gretel), Lee Seung Jun, Yoon Se Ah (Gu Family Book, A Gentleman’s Dignity), and the internationally acclaimed Bae Doona (Cloud Atlas, Air Doll, Kingdom). Her scene signing for the package is unexpectedly hilarious.

Final Thoughts on Doomsday Book

Doomsday Book is a rare gem in the world of sci-fi cinema. It blends multiple genres—horror, drama, satire, and philosophical inquiry—into one coherent and meaningful experience. Each segment offers a fresh take on humanity’s fate, whether through viral collapse, spiritual AI, or cosmic mishaps.

Though I may not have captured everything this film offers, it’s better experienced than described. Watch it, enjoy the many familiar faces in supporting roles, and reflect on what it all means.