Upcoming Romantic Films to Warm Up the Winter Season

As the year comes to a close, a variety of love stories are set to captivate audiences. From the tender first love in 'Even If This Love Disappears Tonight' (hereafter 'EITLDT') to the mature romance in 'What If We', and the light-hearted comedy in 'Heart Man', the winter box office is expected to be painted in warm shades of romance.

Released on the 24th, 'EITLDT' is a youthful melodrama about Seo-yoon (played by Shin Si-ah), who suffers from anterograde amnesia (a condition where she loses her memory every day), and Jae-won (played by Choo Young-woo), who fills her memory daily. The film is an adaptation of Ichijo Misaki's bestselling novel, which has sold over 1.3 million copies worldwide.

With its teenage protagonists, 'EITLDT' exudes a fresh vibe. The story unfolds in familiar settings for teenagers, such as schools, karaoke rooms, and study cafes, making the teenage romance relatable. The beautiful seaside, one of their dating spots, enhances the radiant youth and romantic atmosphere. The process of the female lead with memory impairment and the male lead with a heart condition falling in love while supporting each other is sure to tug at the heartstrings.

Set to release on the 31st, 'What If We' depicts the story of a couple who reunites by chance after ten years. Koo Kyo-hwan plays Eun-ho, a computer science student who moves to Seoul after multiple attempts, and Moon Ga-young plays Jung-won, who dreams of becoming an architect.

'What If We' is a melodrama of separated lovers and a coming-of-age story of young adults striving to succeed. Both protagonists share the experience of living away from home. Eun-ho, who quietly pursues his dreams in a small room, and Jung-won, who adapts to the harsh life in Seoul, resonate particularly with young adults in their 20s and 30s. Their 'adult romance' is poignant due to its realism.

Premiering on February 14th, 'Heart Man' is a romantic comedy that differs from the previous two films. It's a light and enjoyable watch. The film portrays Seung-min (played by Kwon Sang-woo), who struggles not to lose his first love, whom he meets again, while harboring a secret.

In this film, Kwon Sang-woo and Moon Chae-won pair up as a couple. Kwon plays Seung-min, who gives up his dream of becoming a musician to run a musical instrument store, while Moon plays Bo-na, Seung-min's first love who becomes a professional photographer. Kwon Sang-woo remarked, "Moon Chae-won appears more beautiful in our film than in any other work. She was so naturally beautiful that no preparation was needed. I acted instinctively." Moon Chae-won added, "Kwon Sang-woo was the first male actor I liked as a student," raising expectations for their romantic chemistry.

Kwon Sang-woo has previously showcased his comedic talent in the 'Detective' and 'Hitman' series. Expectations are high for his comedic performance in this film as well. A notable point is that Kwon, who is actually 49 years old, will portray both his 20s as a college student and his current middle-aged self.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr