Music-driven romance sets Heartman’s tempo

Jan 09, 2026, 08:14 am

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The cast of Heartman pose to make heart signs at a press screening in Seoul on Jan. 8. / Yonhap

A romantic comedy about a man chasing first love while guarding an unspoken secret, Heartman turns fluttering emotions into music-driven timing, pairing gentle laughs with the cadence of reunion.

A press screening for Heartman was held Thursday afternoon at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul, attended by director Choi Won-seob and cast members Kwon Sang-woo, Moon Chae-won, Park Ji-hwan and Pyo Ji-hoon.

The film is a Korean remake of Argentine director Ariel Winograd’s 2015 movie No Kids. While retaining the original’s framework, the Korean version reshapes the story with band sounds, the everyday rhythm of karaoke, and the cast’s ensemble chemistry to fit a local comedy sensibility.

“If Hitman was about engineering laughs, Heartman focuses on natural comedy that never overplays, following the flow of emotion,” Choi said. Filmed in 2022, the movie’s release was delayed by the pandemic. “We kept refining the density and rhythm right up to release. I’m confident in the result,” he added.

Kwon plays Seung-min, once the fiery vocalist of a rock band called Ambulance, now living a quiet life running an instrument shop after burying his musical dreams. “The soundtrack is light and catchy—you’ll hum it after watching,” he said. Recalling a college flashback scene, he added that wearing a wig felt awkward but worked as an engaging starting point. He also noted that he sang at a deliberately middling level. The opening song, “Lover,” was one he often sang at karaoke and recommended to the director—“It’s still surreal to hear myself sing it in the film,” he said.

Moon portrays Bona, Seung-min’s first love from college, whose warmth and bright energy once swept him off his feet. “I think I’ve always wanted to play a first-love character,” she said. “I spent a lot of time with Park Ji-hwan, Pyo Ji-hoon and others on set, which kept the mood especially joyful.” She added that the camera and lighting teams’ care in capturing the character deepened her attachment to the role.

Park Ji-hwan described the film as layered with different kinds of excitement—from new sparks to reunions with old friends and the thrill of long-held dreams maturing. Praising his chemistry with Kwon, he said, “He’s someone whose pure, boyish side comes through effortlessly.”

Scenes with child actor Kim Seo-heon help drive the film’s tempo. Kwon noted that children’s unschooled gestures and reactions are key to the comedy’s natural feel, making father–daughter moments especially relaxed and alive.

Music is designed not as background but as a narrative spine that threads time and emotion. Music director Kim Ji-hye centered the score on band sounds, adjusting texture by relationship and situation—using everyday instruments like melodica, recorder and ocarina for family warmth, and pop textures to express first-love excitement. Tension builds through subtle shifts in rhythm and tempo. The flashback performance of “Lover” preserves the original’s energy while being rearranged as an Ambulance stage number, with an extended intro symbolizing youthful anticipation and band synergy.

“Our film is light and cheerful, but it leaves a message behind,” Moon said. Heartman premieres nationwide on Jan. 14.

#Heartman #Kwon Sang-woo #Moon Chae-won