Lost In Starlight (2025) Review & Summary
Lost In Starlight, as its leads work through their personal anxiety and trauma, reminds you what finding “The One” looks like.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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“Lost In Starlight” Film Details
- Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 38 Minutes
- Released On: Netflix
- Public Release Date: May 30, 2025
- Director(s): Han Ji-won
- Writer(s): Kang Hyun-joo, Han Ji-won
- Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Young Adult, Animation, Non-English (Korean)
- Rating: Rated PG
- Distributor: Netflix
Summary
Despite Nan-young losing her mother at a young age, she still decided to follow in her footsteps. But what she never expected was to meet Jay on her path to getting to Mars and fall in love. Which complicates not only her leaving but also making the most of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, of which the possibility of not coming back is present.
Cast and Characters
Nan-Young (Kim Tae-ri)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Nan-young is an astronaut training to be a Martian explorer, but her attempts to suppress her trauma regarding her mother’s death have affected her results in various tests. However, she aims to prove herself an asset, one way or another, to overcome the obstacle of her mother’s death.
Jay (Hong Kyung)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: With songwriting abilities, but a struggle with being on stage, especially singing, Jay has taken an extended hiatus from his band, The Moles, who have largely moved on without him. But, with an open door for a potential return, especially as they haven’t hit it big yet, the clock is ticking for him to do what he is passionate about rather than just focus on what pays the bills.
Why Is “Lost In Starlight” Rated PG?
- Dialog:
- Cursing: None
- Discriminatory Language: No
- Innuendo: None
- Suicide Mentions: No
- Violence:
- Gun Violence: None
- Violence Against Animals: No
- Violence Against Children: No
- Domestic Violence: No
- Gore/ Blood: None
- Body Horror: No
- Notable Violence: None
- Sexual Content:
- Nudity: None
- Sexual Situations: Implied
- Sexual Violence: No
- Miscellaneous:
- Drinking: No
- Drug Use: None
- Vomiting: No
- Smoking: No
- Vermin: None
- Scenes of Peril
Links
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- Official Site Link for Lost in Starlight
Review and Commentary
Highlight(s)
It’s Going To Make You Cry [85/100]
As noted in the topics below, Lost In Starlight makes every effort to bring about fully developed characters who remind you of the beauty of two individuals, completely autonomous, learning and wanting to share what it means to be alive, to feel like your thriving, and have a witness there to see it all first hand, or be the person you know can match your excitement.
And it is because of Jay and Nan-young’s relationship, how it develops, and some of its imperfections that make it so, as you reach the end of the film, and you are left wondering if both Nan-young and Jay will learn exactly how her parents felt almost 25 years ago, you will find yourself learning if you are properly hydrated – due to finding yourself crying.
The Push For Both To Pursue Their Dreams [86/100]
It’s becoming increasingly common not to see one half or the other sacrifice their hopes and dreams for the sake of the relationship. If anything, in Lost in Starlight we’re reminded that being in love, spending time with someone, doesn’t stop you and may not even slow you down. Nan-young, for example, has a breakthrough due to her time with Jay, after they cuddle, as she talks about her life and work.
Him being a soundboard allows her the opportunity to head to Mars and what does he get? He realizes she is a true fan of his music. You see, Jay, like many creatives, found himself struggling with the hustle required to transition from someone with an interest in music to learning how to produce it, then building a fan base and earning a living. Add in a form of anxiety, issues with bandmates, and a bit of stage fright, and he found himself settling for a steady check fixing televisions and record players.
But, with Nan-young knowing his music, a song he thought he never released and being a genuine fan who encouraged him to get on stage, rejoin his band, and let his voice be heard, while she may have been making history, he was providing her the soundtrack for the hard work to get her through the day. In many ways, it demonstrates how relationships balance themselves, even if not in the most obvious ways.
How It Handles Trauma [84/100]
For both Jay and Nan-young, their hesitation, fear, and anxiety aren’t simple despite being shown the problem. As stated in the summary, Nan-young tragically lost her mother, and has on tape her mother’s final moments. Jay, his trauma isn’t as violent or in your face, but for the average person, blanking out on stage, feeling unsupported by band members, and even having them switch up on you before a performance, it is a different type of trauma.
Again, Lost In Starlight doesn’t do direct comparisons to push who went through the worst, but instead establishes everyone has their thing, which is making what’s next for them a challenge. And it is in seeing Nan-young freeze up when someone mentions her mother, how bright lights remind her of one of the final times she saw her in person, that gets to you.
Then with Jay, seeing him on stage, after dealing with negative comments in the past, his band who loves him but wants success, and imposter syndrome, that gets to you too. Making the combination feel specific to both yet as the movie focuses on them being a we and not singular, again, it just reminds you of the beauty of being in a relationship in which both parties actively show up for one another.
Overall
Our Rating (85/100): Positive (Worth Seeing) – Recommended
Lost In Starlight excels in portraying a love story rooted in mutual support and healing with, at its core, a reminder of the benefits of finding the right one. For with how Jay and Nan-young’s relationship evolves as they navigate personal traumas, dreams, and doubts, they find in each other not just companionship, but motivation and courage. All the while, we see a love that doesn’t require self-sacrifice but can instead fuel personal growth.
Hence, the positive label and recommendation for Lost In Starlight. With how it handles trauma and gives an honest depiction of what it means to be truly seen and supported, the film is sure to move viewers to tears. Especially as it avoids sensationalizing pain and instead quietly honors the emotional weight both characters carry and how they help one another rise above it. The result is a beautifully balanced and heartfelt story that leaves a lasting impression about the healing power of connection.
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