Virus (2025 film)

Virus
Theatrical release poster
Hangul
바이러스
RRBaireoseu
MRPairŏsŭ
Directed byKang Yi-kwan
Written byKang Yi-kwan
Produced by
  • Park Eun-kyung
  • Park Joo-young
Starring
CinematographyHwang Ki-seok
Edited byYang Jin-mo
Music byLee Byung-woo
Production
company
The Lamp
Distributed byBy4M Studio
Release date
  • May 7, 2025 (2025-05-07)
Running time
98 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeUS$456,388[1]

Virus (Korean: 바이러스) is a 2025 South Korean romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Kang Yi-kwan. It stars Bae Doona, Kim Yoon-seok, Chang Kiha, and Son Suk-ku. The film was released on May 7, 2025.

Plot

Taek-seon, a translator drained of energy, motivation, and any trace of romance, is going through a lifeless routine. After a disastrous blind date with Su-pil, a socially awkward researcher who proposes marriage on their first meeting, Taek-seon's world suddenly turns rosy the very next day. She finds herself smiling for no reason, drawn to flashy dresses she would have never looked at before, and even the daily texts from her old classmate Yeon-woo feel endearing.

But when she learns she has been infected by a fatal virus and meets Lee Gyun, the only researcher capable of developing a cure, Taek-seon realizes all these changes are symptoms of the virus.

Cast

Production

Development

The production of Virus began when director Kang Yi-kwan, seeking a more playful story after his previous work, Juvenile Offender, was recommended author Lee Ji-min's novel. Though the exact title suggested was unavailable, Kang discovered Lee's Extreme Youth at the library and was immediately taken by its imaginative concept. The film's early working title was Love Is a Virus. Although Kang initially entertained outlandish variations of the virus's effects, he ultimately chose to ground the story in a more intimate, character-driven journey.[2]

Filming

Production was completed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A reference to COVID was added via post-synced dialogue in a blind date scene, otherwise the film remained unchanged. Kang acknowledged that the pandemic might lead audiences to interpret the film differently, given the global experience of living through a real virus outbreak.[3][4]

Release

Virus premiered in South Korean theaters on May 7, 2025, distributed by By4M Studio.[5][6][7]

Reception

The film was released on May 7, 2025, on 555 screens.[8] It opened at fifth place on Korean box office with 11,453 admissions.

As of May 17, 2025, the film has grossed US$456,388 from 71,330 admissions.[8][1]

References

  1. ^ a b "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2025". KOFIC. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Nam Seon-woo (May 8, 2025). [인터뷰] 사랑이 너에게 하는 일, <바이러스> 강이관 감독 [[Interview] What Love Does to You, Director Kang Ee-kwan of <Virus>]. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  3. ^ Woo Jae-yeon (April 16, 2025). "Delayed by real pandemic, Bae Doo-na's 'Virus' is finally set for release". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  4. ^ Ji Hyung-jun (April 16, 2025). "Bae Doona, Kim Yoon-seok, Jang Ki-ha star in new film 'Virus' set for May 7 release". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  5. ^ Park Ji-yoon (April 1, 2025). 배두나·김윤석 '바이러스', 5월 7일 개봉 확정 [Bae Doo-na and Kim Yun-seok's 'Virus' to be released on May 7th]. The Fact (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2025 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Xu Aiying (April 23, 2025). "Actor Bae Doona's first romcom in decade to hit theaters in May". Korea.net (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  7. ^ Baek Byung-yeul (April 30, 2025). "Bae Doona finds contagious charm in romantic comedy 'Virus'". The Korea Times (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Daily Box Office". KOBIS (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2025.
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