Delayed Since Christmas Eve… This Korean Film Finally Hits Theaters

Originally slated for a Christmas Eve release, the Korean film It’s Okay! is finally set to hit theaters after a two-month delay.

On the 18th, a press screening was held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, attended by director Kim Hye-young and lead actors Jin Seo-yeon, Lee Re, and Chung Su-bin.

It’s Okay! is a heartwarming family comedy that tells the story of individuals who may struggle alone but find strength and happiness together. The film marks the feature-length directorial debut of Kim Hye-young, known for her witty and realistic storytelling in the hit JTBC drama Be Melodramatic and Coupang Play’s Unicorn. Despite its low TV ratings at the time of airing, Be Melodramatic gained a cult following on social media, proving Kim’s ability to craft relatable narratives.

In the film, Lee Re plays In-young, an endlessly optimistic girl who finds her greatest joy on stage. “There were a lot of dance scenes, so I put in extra effort to make sure I didn’t look awkward. I started rehearsing choreography one to two months before filming and continued practicing throughout production,” Lee shared.

Jin Seo-yeon takes on the role of Seol-ah, a lonely perfectionist and the strict director of a performing arts troupe who unexpectedly ends up living under the same roof as In-young. “I actually laugh a lot in real life, but the director told me not to smile at all, which was tough,” Jin admitted. “The most comfortable scene for me was when Seol-ah is sprawled out in the living room in the latter half of the movie. But for most of the film, I had to maintain a cold, melancholic, and empty demeanor, which was quite challenging.”

It’s Okay! was initially scheduled for release on December 24, 2023, but was postponed to February 26, 2024. At the time, the production team explained, “We made the difficult decision to delay the release in order to present the film under the best possible conditions.”

Anticipation for the film has been high since the trailer dropped last December, with audiences expressing excitement for its warm and nostalgic tone in an era dominated by high-intensity content. Online reactions included comments such as:

“It’s been so long since we’ve had a film like this. I love it.”

“I was really looking forward to this, but now I have to wait even longer 😭”

“This is a must-watch in 2024.”

“The trailer alone is already so moving.”

Adding to the buzz, It’s Okay! features a special appearance by Son Suk-ku, known for his charismatic performances in My Liberation Notes (with co-star Kim Ji-won), The Roundup: No Way Out and D.P. (with co-star Jung Hae-in). Fans are eager to see a softer, more introspective side of the actor, making his cameo one of the film’s biggest highlights.