Gene Kim, celebrated for his storytelling prowess in animation and his contributions as a storyboard and CG artist at Pixar and Disney, has delivered a remarkable project that deeply resonates with his Korean heritage. As a second-generation Korean-American, Kim infuses One Last Monster with a profound connection to Korean history and culture.
The young, brave but inexperienced Empress Eura of Adin confronts her greatest challenge as a ruler. With the lives of her people at stake, Eura is forced to choose between trusting the will of her late husband Emperor Taejo, who wished to protect Adin from further alien invasion with a mysterious weapon, or an extraterrestrial monster who arrives with a dire warning about the very same weapon. Inspired by Korean history and winner of over 100 combined international film festival honors. Presented by NextShark. For more info visit: onelastmonster.com/awards.
- Written, Directed, Storyboarded, Edited & Produced by Gene Kim.
- Animated by Gene Kim & Elmer Barcenes.
- Concept Art by Eileen Kim, Jenna Bae & Gene Kim.
- Music Composed by Lulu Chen & Cai-Jhen Jhu.
- Full Credits: onelastmonster.com/cast-crew
“Accessible, creative, and clever, ‘One Last Monster’ is a thoughtful and wondrous short film… watch and consider the costs of being a monster, and the sacrifice necessary to be truly human.”
– The Beneath The Tangles Blog
“..Epic… populated with memorable characters, amazing environs, and a well realized mythology… just absolute world-building perfection done to a turn, and presented in a manner that leaves the audience wanting to spend more time in its universe!”
– HorrorFuel.com
“Refreshing… it exemplified the worlds creators of color could explore in independent animation.”
– Kollaboration San Francisco
“Loving… charming animation… (Gene) Kim, like Eura, is a creative kaiju. Who knows what worlds you can make when you knock down a few walls?”
– FP Magazine
The film was brought to life with the assistance of a dedicated team, including animator Elmer Barcenes and concept artist Eileen Kim, over nearly two years. This collaborative effort has yielded a short film that has captured the imagination of audiences around the globe. One Last Monster has amassed over 100 awards and official selections at international film festivals, a testament to its widespread acclaim and impact.
The film’s cultural significance was further highlighted when it garnered attention from the South Korean President, underscoring the deep-rooted connection and relevance of Kim’s work.
If you have a half hour to spare, give this delightful animated short your undivided attention. You will be glad you did.
