What does one do when dreams are ruined and the brilliant future is reduced to a memory? What does one do when friendship and love are tested by irrational actions that forever alter trajectories? And lastly, what does one do when a few young souls refuse to conform in a society that refuses to embrace diversity?
The forthcoming Korean movie Made in Itaewon (2026) attempts to answer these questions. Directed by Yoo Jae-young, its story of youth noir is set during the turbulent time of 1998 in Itaewon, Korea amidst the aftermath of the IMF crisis. Made in Itaewon is more than a story, it is an emotional representation of the youth’s dreams, mistakes, and humiliating decisions. Accompanied by an all-star cast featuring rising stars Kim Yo-han, Han Ji-hyun, and Yoo Seon-ho, it will be exciting to see what new tone it brings to Korean youth cinema.
1. General Information about Made in Itaewon
- Title: Made in Itaewon: The title reflects the setting, Itaewon, a neighborhood with a long history of representing youth culture, diversity, and struggles.
- Director: Yoo Jae-young: Yoo’s capability to create raw emotions implies a gritty, realistic style of shoot enhancement that will enhance the emotional stakes of the youth noir genre.
- Production: Monster Company: The production company has a reputation for bold, experimental work. Made in Itaewon is intended to re-frame youth-related stories in a daring, fresh manner.
- Investor & Distributor: Library Company: Library Company is both the funder and distributor. They intend to make the film available to the widest audience and ensure the message is conveyed regardless of frontier.
- Filming Start: September 8, 2025: It will make a formal transition into the active shoot phase on this date.
- Target Release: 2026: The film is expected to be released to audiences the following year after post-production.
2. Genre & Themes of Made in Itaewon
Made in Itaewon is a coming-of-age youth noir film.
- Coming-of-age film: A story that involves danger, mistakes, young people struggling to grow, develop, and discover who they want to be in the world, emotionally attached to the dream of possibility.
- Noir film: Dark, ruthless, real, and emotional – it can be about the harsh truths of life and how people do not always get what they want, the glamor of life can often be the aftermath of the truth.
The film shows young people who seem to have everything – family, friends, and love – but it is their immaturity that leads to their demise. It is a poignant telling of dreams and relationships, completed during the 1998 IMF crisis period in Korea – at a time of total economic collapse, extreme social tension, and small acceptance of diversity.
3. Cast & Characters in Made in Itaewon
- Kim Yo-han as Park Ji-soo: Ji-soo, a formerly aspiring boxer who loses all hopes due to an unfortunate situation and becomes lost and aimless in his life. His character is a representative of youth who is struggling to search for their purpose in life after realizing they failed.
- Han Ji-hyun as Kim Ji-won : Ji-won, a free spirit and seemingly happy character is covering up the fact that she will have to face the scars of confusion and depression and also depicts the duality of youth — a vision/ appearance of bright (happy) youth on the outside but deep-rooted broken youth on the inside.
- Yoo Seon-ho as Kwon Byul: Ji-soo’s mischievous childhood friend, Byul is unpredictable and is full of energy. He is the pulse of the story and brings life, even though it is neglectful, intoxicated life to the story, because he is the youngest fool who gets into the trouble and wild situation
4. Supporting Roles in Made in Itaewon
- Koo Sung-hwan as Sang-man – A boxer/coach with a past shaped by Ji-soo’s father, who has fallen prey to darker temptations.
- Ki Hyun-woo as Hyeon-sik – Ji-soo’s childhood friend and boxing rival, straddling the line between friendship and rivalry.
- Oh Chae-young as Lee Woo-ri – The daughter of a wealthy family who is empty and without focus, wrestling with pent-up desires.
- Hyun Bong-sik as Jong-pil – The student body president/boxing coach representing order amid the chaos of youth.
5. Makers’ Vision & Statements
Monster Company (Production): The team considers Itaewon not only a location but a representation of youth and also a microcosm of Korean society. The film will highlight non-conformist young people in a rigid period. They are excited by the energy of the three leads – Kim Yo-han, Han Ji-hyun, and Yoo Seon-ho – to present a compelling, genuine representation of youth noir.
Library Company (Distributor & Investor): As a financier and distributor, Library Company wants to lead the way in a new trend for Korean youth films. The company also stated that they believe the three lead actors are the “best choice” for emphasizing the film’s key message.
“Fans of upcoming dramas like Taxi Driver Season 3 and Crazy Rich Koreans will also find interest in Made in Itaewon.”
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6. Overall Essence of Made in Itaewon
Made in Itaewon follows the lives of two brothers and their friends living in Itaewon during the years of the IMF crisis. At heart, this is a film about bittersweet friendships, childhood scars, deep-seeded ambition, lost innocence, and the gut-wrenching choices that life often brings.
The film addresses:
- The journey of finding oneself and making ends meet during youth,
- The ongoing boxing matches that blur the lines between friendship and rivalry,
- The secrets and desires that highlight the discontentment of the privileged,
- And the many social pressures that plague every choice.
Ultimately, it is the story of an entire generation—not only the hopes, joys, and sorrows of today’s youth, but the IMF era’s growing pains of our country as well. Made in Itaewon is expected to release in 2026.
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