Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds
A visually stunning fantasy epic that plummets into the heart of the afterlife, where a hero's soul navigates a labyrinth of judgment and redemption.
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds

신과함께-죄와 벌

"Fate continues even after death."

20 December 2017 South Korea 139 min ⭐ 8.1 (1,121)
Director: Kim Yong-hwa
Cast: Ha Jung-woo, Cha Tae-hyun, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hyang-gi, Lee Jung-jae
Drama Fantasy Action Thriller Adventure
Redemption and Forgiveness Filial Piety and Family Judgment and the Afterlife Sacrifice
Budget: $18,300,000
Box Office: $125,983,972

Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Kim Ja-hong

Cha Tae-hyun

Archetype: The Everyman Hero
Key Trait: Self-sacrificing

Motivation

His primary motivation throughout his life was to provide for his deaf mother and younger brother, whom he left behind in his youth out of guilt and a desire not to be a burden. In the afterlife, his motivation is to pass the seven trials to be reincarnated and, in his own way, find peace.

Character Arc

Ja-hong begins as a seemingly perfect hero, a selfless firefighter who died a noble death. As he progresses through the trials, his flaws and past traumas are revealed, transforming him from an idealized paragon into a relatable human being burdened by guilt. His arc is about confronting his past and accepting that his life, while dedicated to others, was not without sin. His ultimate redemption comes from his family's forgiveness, not from passing the divine trials alone.

Gang-rim

Ha Jung-woo

Archetype: The Mentor/Leader
Key Trait: Determined

Motivation

As the leader, his motivation is to successfully guide their 49th paragon to reincarnation, which will allow him and his fellow guardians to be reincarnated. However, he is also driven by a strong sense of justice and a deep-seated affection for humans.

Character Arc

Gang-rim is the stoic and wise leader of the three guardians. He is resolute in his duty to defend Ja-hong. His arc involves him becoming personally invested in Ja-hong's case, even bending the laws of the afterlife to uncover the truth in the living world. This shows a compassionate side to his otherwise stern demeanor and hints at his own mysterious past, which is further explored in the sequel.

Haewonmak

Ju Ji-hoon

Archetype: The Impulsive Warrior
Key Trait: Sarcastic yet Loyal

Motivation

Like the other guardians, his main goal is to achieve reincarnation. He is also motivated by his loyalty to Gang-rim and his protective instincts over Deok-choon, the youngest member of their team.

Character Arc

Haewonmak is the skilled fighter of the trio, often providing comic relief with his sarcastic and laid-back attitude. He is initially cynical about their chances but grows to respect and care for Ja-hong. His arc shows a development from a detached guardian to a more engaged and protective figure, especially towards Deok-choon.

Lee Deok-choon

Kim Hyang-gi

Archetype: The Heart/Innocent
Key Trait: Empathetic

Motivation

Her motivation is rooted in a genuine desire to help souls find peace and successfully reincarnate. She is driven by empathy and a strong belief in the inherent goodness of people. She also shares the goal of reincarnation with her fellow guardians.

Character Arc

Deok-choon is the youngest and most compassionate of the guardians, possessing the ability to see a person's past. She has unwavering faith in Ja-hong's goodness from the beginning. Her arc is about maintaining her innocence and empathy in the harsh reality of the afterlife. Her kindness often serves as the moral compass for the group.

King Yeomra

Lee Jung-jae

Archetype: The Supreme Judge
Key Trait: Authoritative

Motivation

His motivation is to uphold the laws of the afterlife and ensure that souls are judged fairly according to their deeds. He represents the principle of cosmic justice and karma.

Character Arc

King Yeomra is the formidable ruler of the afterlife who oversees all the trials. He appears as an intimidating and impartial judge. His arc in this film is more static, serving as the ultimate authority figure. However, his interactions with Gang-rim and his final judgment of Ja-hong reveal a deeper understanding of human nature and the importance of earthly forgiveness.

Cast

Ha Jung-woo as Gang-rim
Cha Tae-hyun as Kim Ja-hong
Ju Ji-hoon as Hae Won-maek
Kim Hyang-gi as Deok-choon
Lee Jung-jae as King Yeomra
Kim Dong-wook as Kim Su-hong
Ye Su-jeong as Ja-hong's Mother
Oh Dal-su as Prosecutor
Im Won-hee as Prosecutor
Sung Yu-been as Young Kim Ja-hong
Goo Seung-hyun as Young Kim Su-hong
Lee Jun-hyuk as First Lieutenant Park Moo-sin
Doh Kyung-soo as Private Won Dong-yeon
Jung Hae-kyun as Byeon-seong / God of Murder Hell
Kim Hae-sook as Cho-gang / God of Indolence Hell