South Korea · Film · 2020
P1H: The Beginning of a New World
Binge Brief
- P1H: The Beginning of a New World opened in South Korean theaters on 8 October 2020.
- The film runs 99 minutes and carries a 15-and-up content rating from Korean regulators.
- Chang, the credited director and co-writer, is the professional name of Yoon Hong-seung, who also made the 2014 thriller The Target.
- FNC Story and Chang Pictures produced the film, and Lotte Entertainment released it in cinemas.
- Six members of P1Harmony share the lead with actress Lee Chae-yun as their seventh childhood friend.
- Six other actors, including Jung Hae-in and Kim Seol-hyun, appear in guest roles as older or extended-family versions of the main characters.
Synopsis
P1H: The Beginning of a New World follows a virus outbreak that pushes infected people toward sudden rage, and it splits six teenage friends across three timelines, past, present and future, as they search for a way to stop it before the anger spreads.
The friend group is played by the six members of K-pop group P1Harmony: Keeho as Nam Gi-ho, Jiung as Kang Ji-woong, Intak as Seol In-tak, Theo as Jung Hee-su, Soul as So Bo-woong and Jongseob as Oh Jong-seop. Actress Lee Chae-yun plays their childhood friend Chae-yoon, and the seven grew up together in the same Seoul neighborhood before the outbreak scattered them across time.
Older or parallel-timeline versions of several characters are played by established actors in guest roles: Jung Hae-in and Yoo Jae-suk appear as adult relatives from the past, Jung Yong-hwa as a present-day cousin, Kim Seol-hyun as In-tak's sister, Jo Jae-yun as Chae-yoon's father and Jung Jin-young as Gi-ho's uncle. Their scenes tie the friend group's search for the source of the virus to the wider family history behind it.
The film premiered in South Korean cinemas on 8 October 2020 and runs 99 minutes with a rating of 15 and up. Chang, whose real name is Yoon Hong-seung and who had already directed the 2014 thriller The Target, wrote and directed the project with co-writer Heo Areum. FNC Story and Chang Pictures produced the film as a pre-debut showcase for P1Harmony, and Lotte Entertainment handled its theatrical release.
Why it still gets watched
P1H: The Beginning of a New World still draws views mainly from P1Harmony's own fan base. FNC Entertainment built the film as the group's introduction rather than a stand-alone commercial release, and it remains the only feature film that brings all six original members together in a fictional story.
P1H: The Beginning of a New World cast
Best scenes
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The intense virus outbreak scene in the futuristic timeline shocks viewers with cinematic realism and emotional depth.
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Theo's transformation moment reveals his power and inner conflict, delivering one of the film’s most visually gripping sequences.
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The first meeting of all six boys across different timelines is a turning point that ignites the “new world” narrative.
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Intak’s emotional breakdown in the present timeline adds depth to his character and showcases raw acting talent.
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The closing battle scene, where all members unite, leaves a lasting impact with choreographed action and symbolic visuals.
Filming locations
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Shot across futuristic urban sets in Seoul, giving the film an authentic yet stylized aesthetic.
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Green screen and CGI-enhanced locations were used to simulate alternate dimensions and apocalyptic settings.
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Traditional Korean buildings were featured in the “past” timeline for cultural grounding.
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Underground tunnels and abandoned facilities provided a gritty, dystopian backdrop.
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Rooftop scenes in Seoul’s city center visually emphasize isolation in a crowded world.
Visual design and costumes
The film uses color-coded styling for each timeline: warm tones for the past, cold metallics for the future.
Costume design blends modern fashion with subtle sci-fi elements, ideal for K-pop idol aesthetics.
Futuristic weapons and accessories are custom-designed for each member, representing their unique powers.
Use of LED lighting and glitch effects enhances the visual identity of the virus-infected zones.
Each scene is shot with cinematic framing and slow-motion sequences that feel like a high-end music video.
Themes and messages
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Unity and hope are central themes as six boys from different times must overcome fear and distrust.
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The story reflects youth empowerment, showing young heroes shaping the fate of the world.
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Fighting an invisible enemy (virus) draws strong parallels to real-world pandemics.
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The idea of destiny versus choice is explored as each character questions their role in the new world.
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It emphasizes the power of connection across time, hinting at universal values like compassion and resilience.
Interesting facts
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This film serves as the pre-debut project for K-pop group P1Harmony, combining music and cinema.
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Directed by Chang (Yoon Hong-seung), known for the cult hit The Target, adding cinematic credibility.
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Celebrity cameos include Jung Hae In, Jung Yong Hwa, and Seolhyun, enhancing cross-fandom appeal.
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The film blends K-pop, sci-fi, and superhero genres, creating a new template for idol-focused cinema.
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A unique cinematic universe was created, setting the narrative base for P1Harmony’s real-world music concept.
Frequently asked questions
What is P1H: The Beginning of a New World about?
P1H: The Beginning of a New World is a 2020 South Korean film in which a virus outbreak triggers extreme anger in the infected, and six teenage friends split across the past, present and future try to find a way to stop it.
Who plays the friend group in P1H: The Beginning of a New World?
The six members of P1Harmony play the core friend group in P1H: The Beginning of a New World: Keeho as Nam Gi-ho, Jiung as Kang Ji-woong, Intak as Seol In-tak, Theo as Jung Hee-su, Soul as So Bo-woong and Jongseob as Oh Jong-seop, alongside actress Lee Chae-yun as their friend Chae-yoon.
Which stars make guest appearances in P1H: The Beginning of a New World?
Jung Hae-in, Yoo Jae-suk, Jung Yong-hwa, Kim Seol-hyun, Jo Jae-yun and Jung Jin-young appear as older or extended-family versions of the timelines' characters in P1H: The Beginning of a New World.
Where can I watch the P1Harmony movie, P1H: The Beginning of a New World?
P1H: The Beginning of a New World streams with subtitles on Prime Video and Tubi, and is available to purchase on Amazon.
Is there a P1H movie 2 or a second P1Harmony movie?
No sequel or second P1H movie has been released or announced; P1H: The Beginning of a New World remains P1Harmony's only feature film together.
Who directed P1H: The Beginning of a New World?
P1H: The Beginning of a New World was directed and co-written by Chang, the professional name of Yoon Hong-seung, who also directed the 2014 thriller The Target.
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