Binge-worthy: Choi Woo-shik and Park Bo-young vehicle Melo Movie is much more than a romance

Melo Movie

Netflix
★★★★☆

Netflix bills Melo Movie as a romantic comedy, but the K-drama is more than just that one genre.

Choi Woo-shik plays Ko Gyeom, a carefree young man who grew up watching films to escape the real world. Park Bo-young is Kim Mu-bee – her name is the Korean pronunciation of “movie” – a film-maker who ironically disliked films in her youth.

Gyeom and Mu-bee’s paths first cross when he nabs a small acting role in a film on which she serves as a crew member. An infatuated Gyeom eventually wins her heart, but he suddenly disappears without a word. A chance encounter five years later sees the pair attempting to resolve their unfinished business.

Here are three reasons to binge this 10-episode series.

1. Love, life, pain and regrets

The first episode features romcom tropes, such as meet-cute moments between the leads. But it does not take Melo Movie long to switch lanes, when the episode ends with a car crash.

That accident affects the budding romance between Gyeom and Mu-bee, and the story takes on a darker tone, addressing the brutal realities of life and echoing his view that the world outside movies is always harsh and bittersweet.

The drama also explores the deep and sacrificial love between Gyeom and his elder brother Jun (Kim Jae-wook).

Kim, who has played his fair share of leading men in romcoms such as Her Private Life (2019) and Crazy Love (2022), is excellent as the sibling who prioritises Gyeom’s happiness over his own. His story also addresses the mental well-being and loneliness of a caregiver. Episode 7 will bring about many tears. 

Melo Movie also tackles one’s yearning to be loved, and deals with loss, shattered dreams and how one has to find ways to carry on living after the death of a loved one.

2. Incredible leads

Melo Movie would not have worked without the strong performances from Choi and Park. 

Choi, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite (2019), demonstrated his versatility in Our Beloved Summer (2021 to 2022) and A Killer Paradox (2024). 

His innate, goofy charm is the key to Gyeom’s likability. Choi’s ability to deliver the subtlety of Gyeom’s suffering hidden behind the cheery facade is commendable. 

Park, who is known for being the bubbly romcom queen, delivers her most nuanced performance to date – Mu-bee is mostly serious, cold and guarded.

Choi and Park’s natural chemistry makes them a couple you will root for.

3. Great supporting cast

The tumultuous romance between Gyeom’s friends Si-jun (Lee Jun-young) and Ju-a (Jeon So-nee) carries half the plot.  

Theirs is an exploration of living up to the expectations of the other half, and that sometimes love may not be enough to sustain a relationship.

Rising actors Lee and Jeon, last seen in The Impossible Heir (2024) and Parasyte: The Grey (2024) respectively, hold their own against their more established co-stars.