Kwon Sang-woo & Moon Chae-won Ignite Screens in ‘Heartman’: A Sweet & Salty Rom-Com Sensation! 🔥💘
The stage is set for a cinematic knockout as Korea’s beloved stars, Kwon Sang-woo and Moon Chae-won, take center stage in the highly anticipated romantic comedy, ‘Heartman‘. Fresh off its buzzing press premiere, this film promises an exhilarating blend of laughter, heartwarming romance, and poignant emotion, creating the perfect “sweet and salty” (단짠단짠) experience that K-drama fans worldwide crave.
The exclusive press screening for ‘Heartman‘ drew a crowd of industry insiders and media on January 8, 2026, at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The event was graced by the lead actors, Kwon Sang-woo, Moon Chae-won, along with Park Ji-hwan, Pyo Ji-hoon (P.O), and Director Choi Won-sub, all eager to share their insights into this charming new feature. ‘Heartman‘ tells the story of Seungmin (Kwon Sang-woo), who fights desperately to hold onto his first love, Bona (Moon Chae-won), only for a secret he can never reveal to emerge, spiraling into a series of comedic events.
This film marks a highly anticipated reunion between Kwon Sang-woo and Director Choi Won-sub, who previously collaborated on the successful ‘Hitman’ series. Director Choi shared his ambitious vision, stating, “We aspire to become the best comedy director in Korea, and further, a director who can spread comedy across the globe.” He emphasized the strong dramatic foundation of ‘Heartman‘, aiming for natural comedy that flows organically with the story and emotions, rather than over-the-top gags. As the director’s “comedy persona,” Kwon Sang-woo once again takes the lead. The charismatic actor playfully reiterated his commitment, recalling how he spontaneously knelt during a ‘Hitman’ stage greeting to show genuine appreciation to the audience. He mused, “If kneeling makes the movie successful, I’d do it ten times. We’re so grateful to those who spend their hard-earned money to watch Korean films, especially those I appear in. I want to sincerely express my gratitude when our movie opens, and I’m still contemplating how.”
Meanwhile, Moon Chae-won, in her role as the first love, Bona, is set to captivate audiences with her unparalleled beauty. Even co-star Pyo Ji-hoon singled out Bona’s first appearance as a standout scene. Moon Chae-won revealed her preparation process: “I thought about how my daily life would be revealed on such a large screen. I tried to maintain a very positive mindset and spent a lot of time with fun friends. Although I’m usually calm, I made an effort to stay cheerful.”
Moon Chae-won expressed immense satisfaction with the film, stating, “I was very happy after watching the movie myself. I think the desire to play a first love character was inherently within me, unknowingly. There were opportunities before that I couldn’t take due to circumstances, so it felt great to be able to do it with ‘Heartman‘. I believe they put a lot of effort into portraying me beautifully.” She added, “‘Heartman‘ holds a special place in my heart at this moment.”
Get ready to fall in love with ‘Heartman‘ when it officially opens in cinemas on January 14!
This dynamic duo’s on-screen chemistry, combined with Director Choi’s nuanced approach to blending laughter and emotion, promises an immersive and genuinely moving audience experience. We anticipate ‘Heartman’ will deliver a performance that truly resonates, proving that comedy with a strong heart always wins.
Editor: Jason Lee 🎤
