‘Soju War’: Korean Bromance Film Set During IMF Crisis

A new Korean film is turning heads ahead of its June release—thanks to its star-studded cast and a storyline steeped in high-stakes business drama and old-school bromance. On April 24, a production briefing for Soju War was held at Megabox COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, with lead actors Yoo Hae-jin, Lee Je-hoon, Son Hyun-joo, and Choi Young-joon in attendance.

Set against the backdrop of the 1997 IMF financial crisis, Soju War follows Jong-rok (Yoo Hae-jin), the no-nonsense CFO of iconic soju brand Gukbo Soju, and In-beom (Lee Je-hoon), a results-driven analyst from a global investment firm, as they clash head-on during a tense corporate acquisition. The film delves into the cost of chasing success in an era dominated by materialism and performance metrics—asking, what really matters in life?

Yoo Hae-jin remarked, “Maybe it’s because the story is about alcohol, but the script went down smooth,” adding, “Jong-rok appears ordinary, but he’s got a strong core. He’s not afraid to speak uncomfortable truths for the sake of the company.”

A household name known for both comedic timing and emotional depth, Yoo Hae-jin rose to fame with The King and the Clown (2005) and solidified his place in Korean cinema with hits like Tazza, Jeon Woochi, Veteran, A Taxi Driver, and most recently, Exhuma.

Lee Je-hoon, who plays the ambitious corporate analyst Choi In-beom, shared that he was drawn to the project because of Yoo Hae-jin. “The characters just clicked. The bromance and chemistry felt so natural,” he said. Unlike his previous role in The Art of Negotiation, In-beom is a more layered character, torn between ambition and emotion.

Lee built his early career through indie films and gained mainstream acclaim with Bleak Night and The Front Line in 2011—earning him a Best New Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. His career since then has spanned genres with titles like Architecture 101, An Ethics Lesson, I Can Speak, and My Paparotti.

Son Hyun-joo plays Seok Jin-woo, the chairman of Gukbo Soju, who fans the flames of the company’s crisis. “I usually play the good guy, but this character has a different edge,” he said, clarifying, “He’s not exactly a villain—he just does everything he can to protect the company.”

Making his big-screen debut, Choi Young-joon—best known for the drama Our Blues—takes on the role of Goo Young-mo, a lawyer tasked with crisis management at Gukbo Group. “At first, I thought it was a minor role,” he joked, “but here I am at the press conference. Goo Young-mo is a cold, pragmatic man who simply follows the client's agenda.”

And yes—there’s actual drinking. Given the film’s theme, on-screen alcohol scenes were inevitable. Yoo Hae-jin shared, “There’s a scene where I have to advertise a new product as smooth and fresh, and I tried to act exactly that. I love soju, so I enjoyed every sip. I hope the audience feels like grabbing a drink after watching.”

Though set in 1997, the film’s message resonates with the present. “Even after 20 years, not much has changed,” said Lee Je-hoon. “I hope viewers in 2025 reflect on how their values have—or haven’t—evolved.”

Originally titled Moral Hazard, the film faced delays after a dispute between the production company and director Choi Yoon-jin surfaced in 2023. Choi is currently in a legal battle over the termination of her directing contract and was ultimately credited only for on-site direction.

Host Park Kyung-rim clarified, “Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the cast and crew are unable to give detailed answers at this time. A separate statement will be released in the future.”

Soju War hits theaters nationwide on June 3.