The World of Love

Ju-in is a high school student who frequently changes boyfriends and appears to lead a carefree life centered around home, school, and taekwondo.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that her mother, a kindergarten teacher, is struggling with an increasingly serious drinking problem. Her father has lived away from the family for years and is especially distant from his daughter, ignoring even her text messages. Her younger brother, who loves magic tricks, is deeply devoted to her and is keeping a secret.

When Su-ho, one of her classmates, launches a petition concerning the possible release of a child molester, Ju-in unexpectedly opposes the effort, having read in the petition's motivations some phrases that undermine the individuality of people who have emerged from these kinds of experiences. Her reaction suggests a personal connection to the issue, though she firmly denies it.

Tensions continue to build. After learning that Mi-do, an older friend from a volunteer organization, is pursuing legal action related to mistreatment she experienced while growing up, it becomes apparent that Ju-in's difficulties in forming deeper romantic relationships stem from unresolved childhood trauma.

It is eventually revealed that a relative on her father's side, who is likely now incarcerated, has taken advantage of her for years. As a result, Ju-in harbors deep resentment toward her mother, who devoted so much attention to the children in her care while failing to recognize what was happening within her own family.

The emotional wounds prove to be far more significant than Ju-in is willing to acknowledge. When Su-ho revives his campaign around the petition, she reacts angrily, and the confrontation leads both of them to the principal's office. There, she finally finds the courage to speak openly about her past.

Her disclosure places strain on her friendships. Rather than fully understanding her pain, some of her friends feel unsettled by the realization that she had hidden such an important part of herself for years.

Shaken by her daughter's outburst, the mother calls on her husband to fulfill his responsibilities as a father, but then ends up in the hospital with a gallbladder problem that turns out to be an early warning sign of developing liver cirrhosis. The family crisis ultimately brings them closer together. Ju-in discovers that her younger brother has been intercepting letters from their uncle for years in an effort to protect her, while her father rewrites a message to her after years of silence.

Back at school, Ju-in reconnects with her closest friend, Yu-ra. Around the same time, a classmate who had previously sent anonymous notes criticizing her behavior sends one final message. This time, however, it is a note of gratitude. Without revealing his identity, he explains that he has faced similar struggles and expresses both solidarity with Ju-in and admiration for the courage she has shown.

• Seo Su-bin as Lee Ju-in
• Jang Hye-jin as Kang Tae-sun, Joo-in's mother
• Kim Jeong-sik as Jang Su-ho
• Kang Chae-yoon as Gong Yu-ra
• Lee Jae-hee as Lee Hae-in
• Kim Ye-chang as Park Chan-woo
• Go Min-si as Han Mi-do
• Kim Suk-hoon as Lee Ki-dong

The World of Love had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025, in Platform section.^[5] The film is eligible for People's Choice Awards, which is decided by audience voting.^[6][7]

It was invited to compete in the Crouching Tigers section, the international competition for new filmmakers at the 9th Pingyao International Film Festival in September 2025. It was nominated in three categories for the Roberto Rossellini Awards: Best Film, Best Director, and the Jury Prize ^[8] It also competed at the Warsaw Film Festival in the International Competition section on October 11, 2025.^[9]

It was also selected to compete in the Official Competition section of the 2025 BFI London Film Festival for the best film award and had the screening on October 14, 2025.^[10][11] On October 25, 2025, it was presented in International Perspective section of the São Paulo International Film Festival.^[12]

On November 2, it was screened at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival in Cineaste Delights section.^[13][14] In November it also competed at the Three Continents Festival in the international competition and won the grand prize the Montgolfière d'or.^[15]

It competed in the 20th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival on December 5, 2025^[16] and then in the Red Sea: Competition strand at the Red Sea International Film Festival on December 6, 2025.^[17][18]

In 2026, it will be featured in Asiascope section of Filmfest Hamburg on 26 September.^[19]

In February 2025, the film was presented at the European Film Market (EFM), which is held in Berlin, in conjunction with the Berlin International Film Festival by the South Korea's sales and production company Barunson E&A, who have acquired world sales rights of the film.^[20]

It was released on October 22, 2025, in South Korean theatres.^[21]

The film has distribution agreements with Japanese distributor Bitters End, Hong Kong's Edko Films, and Taiwan's Andrews Film. It has also entered into distribution agreement with the Chinese distribution Light Films Limited on October 19, 2025.^[22]