Edited by Hong Hyun Jung

Translated by Kim Hoyeun

Since the mid-2010s, the romance genre has lost its power in Korean cinema. But recently, news of romance movies being produced has hit the wire steadily, delighting the fans of K-romance. Among them, we introduce 7 movies that are gearing up for release. From rom-com that illustrates singles’ stories to a youthful romance story – let’s look into the upcoming release with a variety of materials, genres, and content.

Single in Seoul

Single in Seoul is the new rom-com that revolves around an influencer who loves being single and an editor of a publishing company who hates being single. The story follows a series of happenings as they work together to make a book about single life.

Lee Dong Wook will play Park Young Ho, a lecturer who becomes an influencer on social media for his posts that praise single life. Im Soo Jung plays Joo Hyun Jin, a talented editor who loves books but is quite clumsy when it comes to dating. Esom appears as a mysterious best-selling author.

It’s a much-awaited rom-com, and Lee Dong Wook and Im Soo Jung’s chemistry is highly anticipated. As it depicts the romance between two characters with conflicting views about “single life,” the key to success will lie in how realistic the story is.

Romance Without Dating (literal title)

Romance Without Dating tells the story of a 34-year-man, who hates being lonely but is not good at dating, and a 29-year-old woman, who wants to date but is not good at it, meeting through a dating app. It’s a commercial film debut of director Jung Ga Young, who has showcased daring stories of women’s love and desire (Bitch on the Beach, Hit the Night, Heart).

Jeon Jong Seo takes on the role of Ja Young, who dreamt of living a mature life in her 30s but ended up with a life full of debt and failures. After being dumped by a boyfriend she dated for a week, she gives up on a relationship. Son Seok Koo turns into Woo Ri, a rookie journalist of a magazine who writes about sex when his dream was to become an author.

Since Jeon played intense characters in Bruning and The Call, expectations for her performance in rom-com are already high.

Happy New Year

Credit: BH Entertainment, King Kong by Starship, th Company, SM Entertainment, Man Of Creation, Yooborn Company, Wide-S Company

Happy New Year, set to be released in theaters and on TVING, centers around the people who visit the hotel “Emross” with their own stories. Like New Year Blues, which was released earlier this year, it’s a romance movie with multicasting. The A-list lineup definitely catches the eye.

Han Ji Min plays a hotel manager who has had a crush on her friend for 15 years. Lee Dong Wook takes on the role of young and capable CEO of hotel Emross. Besides the two, Kang Ha Neul, YoonA, Seo Kang Joon, Lee Kwang Soo, and more will appear as the guests and staff of the hotel.

Attention focuses on whether director Kwak Jae Young, who had dominated the 2000s (My Sassy Girl, The Classic), will produce another masterpiece.

Moral Sense (working title)

Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, the new Netflix film Moral Sense illustrates the romance between a man with a special taste and a woman who happens to come across his secret.

Seohyun plays Jung Ji Woo, a woman who leads a special relationship with her co-worker after she accidentally learns his secret taste. Jung Ji Soo, played by Lee Jun Young, is a man who hides his secret taste behind his perfect looks.

The key to success will lie in how boldly and wittily the original film will unravel the unique plot of one’s secret sexual desire being discovered by a co-worker.

The Twentieth Century Girl

The Twentieth Century Girl, another Netflix romance film, paints out the special moments of first love and strong friendship. It’s a feature debut of director Bang Woo Ri, who won the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Short Film with Mrs. Young, a short film about a woman meeting her first love’s son.

Kim Yoo Jung plays Na Bo Ra, who slowly faces a dilemma between her friend and love. Byeon Woo Seok will play Poong Woon Ho, Bora’s broadcasting club teammate. Rookie actress Noh Yoon Seo plays Yeon Doo, Bo Ra’s BFF. Park Jung Woo turns into Yeon Doo’s crush and Woon Ho’s best friend, Baek Hyun Jin.

Will the movie, which tells a pure and youthful story against the backdrop of 1999, the last year of the 20th century, summon fond memories of our first love?

Decision to Leave

Decision to Leave is a work written by director Park Chan Wook and his longtime partner, writer Jung Seo Kyung. The story begins as a detective who investigates a murder case feels suspicious and intrigued after meeting the deceased’s wife.

Detective Hae Joon, played by Park Hae Il, is a thorough man who works on the case he’s assigned to day and night. After meeting the deceased’s wife, Seo Rae, his world starts to shake. Tang Wei, who stars in a Korean movie after a long time, plays Seo Rae, a mysterious woman. She will be adding tension to the play.

Lee Jung Hyun plays Jung Ahn, Hae Joon’s wife and a talented career woman. Also, Go Kyung Pyo turns into Soo Wan, Hae Joon’s junior partner who raises questions about Hae Joon’s investigation. Lastly, Park Yong Woo plays Ho Shin, another man who shows up in Seo Rae’s journey.

The meeting of director Park Chan Wook and actress Tang Wei had already made headlines. But above all else, the fact that the movie is a mystery romance genre, which was rarely seen in Korean commercial films recently, raises curiosity.

Killing Romance (working title)

Credit: Saram Entertainment, tvN, HODU&U Entertainment

Killing Romance revolves around Korea’s top actress. Though she had given up everything for her marriage, she makes a big decision to regain her lost life. Lee Ha Nee plays Hwang Yeo Rae, a has-been actress. Joining her are Gong Myung, who plays her next-door neighbor Kim Bum Woo, and Lee Sun Kyun as Jonathan Na, the large landowner of an island and real estate businessman.

It’s a new project by director Lee Won Suk, who showcased the B comedy film How to Use Guys with Secret Tips. Attention focuses on what kind of fun the movie will present by combining the musical genre with comedy.

Edited Hong Hyun Jung: I am a K-content guide who publishes various articles for people to enjoy Korean movies and dramas deeper and richer. I’ll introduce you to the works that you can laugh, cry and sympathize with.

Translator Kim Hoyeun: If you are a fan of K-drama, K-movie, and K-pop, I am your guy. I will continue to provide you with up-to-date K-entertainment news.

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