Nothing Serious (film)

Nothing Serious (Korean: 연애 빠진 로맨스; RR: Yeonae Ppajin Romaenseu; lit. Romance Without Love) is a 2021 South Korean romantic film, written and directed by Jeong Ga-young for CJ ENM. Starring Jeon Jong-seo and Son Suk-ku, the film revolves around 32 years old Woo-ri (Son Seok-gu) and 28 years old Ja-young (Jeon Jong-seo), who hate being alone but have anxieties when it comes to dating. They meet with each other through a dating app.

Nothing Serious
Official release poster
Hangul
연애 빠진 로맨스
Literal meaningRomance Without Love
Revised RomanizationYeonae Ppajin Romaenseu
Directed byJeong Ga-young
Written byJeong Ga-young
Produced byLee Jaemin
Im Eun-jeong
StarringJeon Jong-seo
Son Suk-ku
CinematographyLee Seong-jae
Edited byNam Na-yeong
Music bySunwoo Jung-a
Production
companies
CJ ENM
Twelve Journey
Distributed byCJ ENM
Release date
  • November 24, 2021 (2021-11-24)
Running time
95 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeest. US$5.2 million[1]

It was theatrically released on November 24, 2021. On box office as of January 2, 2022 it is at 9th place among all the Korean films released in 2021 with 604,672 admission and US$5.15 million gross.[1]

Synopsis

The film is about relationships in the digital age, fuses elements of traditional rom-coms with modern-day technology. The story follows two people of opposite sex who hate dating but feel lonely. It depicts their meeting with each other through a dating app.

Cast

Special appearance

Production

In September 2020 Jeon Jong-seo and Son Suk-ku were confirmed to play lead roles in the romance film to be written and directed by Jeong Ga-young.[8]

Release

The film was released theatrically on November 24, 2021.[9]

On November 2, 2021, the director Jeong Ga-young released a parody video of a trailer on the global video platform TikTok.[10] It became popular for its witty makeup and facial expressions. This unique way of promotion of the film attracted the Generation Z.[11]

In July 2022, it was invited at the 21st New York Asian Film Festival, where it was screened at Lila Acheson Wallace Auditorium, Asia Society on July 31 for its New York premiere.[12][13]

Home media

The film was made available for streaming on IPTV (Olleh TV, B TV, LG U+ TV), TVING, Naver TV, GOM Player, Google Play, One Store, and KakaoPage from December 17, 2021.[14]

Original soundtrack
Nothing Serious
Soundtrack album by
Sunwoo Jung-a
ReleasedDecember 9, 2021
GenreSoundtrack
Length31:38
Language
Label
Released on December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09)[15]
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Wet Dream"Sunwoo Jung-a1:04
2."Funny Morning"Sunwoo Jung-a0:49
3."Whispers Between Us" (속닥속닥)Sunwoo Jung-a4:41
4."In the Office"Sunwoo Jung-a, Jo Song-tae1:42
5."Loser Collection"Sunwoo Jung-a1:29
6."Teaser of Love"Sunwoo Jung-a1:26
7."Interview"Sunwoo Jung-a, Jo Song-tae2.28
8."Typing, Friends"Sunwoo Jung-a, Jo Song-tae1:10
9."Izakaya Story"Sunwoo Jung-a5:01
10."Touch"Sunwoo Jung-a2:11
11."Dance in Love"Sunwoo Jung-a2:59
12."Flashback"Sunwoo Jung-a2:35
13."End of Dream"Sunwoo Jung-a1:28
14."Something Missing Between Us" (뭔가 빠진 사이)Sunwoo Jung-a2:35
Total length:31:38

Songs not featured on the official soundtrack:[lower-alpha 1]

Reception

Box office

The film was released on 965 screens on November 24, 2021. As per Korean Film Council (Kofic) integrated computer network, the film ranks third on the Korean box office with 209,065 admissions on opening weekend.[16][17] In its reverse run the film topped the Korean box office in its 3rd week of release garnering 529,469 admissions by 3rd weekend.[18]

As of January 2, 2022 it is at 9th place among all the Korean films released in the year 2021, with gross of US$5.15 million and 604,672 admissions.[1]

Critical response

Heo Min-nyeong of Newsen wrote that in the film "there is no room for boredom," in spite of the main leads hogging 80% of screen time. Heo stated that some sequences made him feel like "I'm watching the heyday of 'Sex and the City'."[19] Kim Nara writing for My Daily praised the chemistry between lead pair Jeon Jong-seo and Son Suk-ku. She stated that the film gave satisfaction for performance as the actors have "acting ability and bouncing energy, which is enough to breathe life into the character and admire it." Kim appreciated the flow of narrative, as she said, "with the honesty and quirkyness of peeling off a single layer of wrapping paper without repeating the common romantic comedy, it 'hook' deeply to the emotional line beyond the hot stimulus."[20] Kang Hyo-jin reviewing for Sports TV News wrote, "The film's strengths are its blatant honesty and provocative and witty lines." Praising the casting Kang stated, "The free-spirited and unstoppable images of Jeon Jong-seo and Son Seok-gu fit perfectly with the film's precarious love story". Concluding her review she opined, "It is the birth of a masterpiece of romance that combines character, humor, and trend reflection in a short time. Romance Without Love will be a work that is going to be talked about for a long time as a reference for a romance that empathizes with reality.[21]

Accolades
Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2022 58th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Film Nothing Serious Nominated [22][23]
Best Director Jeong Ga-young Nominated
Best Actress Jeon Jong-seo Nominated
Best Screenplay Jeong Ga-young and Wang Hye-ji Won [24]
58th Grand Bell Awards Best Supporting Actress Gong Min-jeung Nominated [25][26]

Notes
    1. The songs were listed in the closing credits of the film.

    References
    1. "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2021". KOFIC. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
    2. "Nothing Serious - (Korean Movie, 2021, 연애 빠진 로맨스)". HanCinema. November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    3. Schwartz, William (August 24, 2020). "[HanCinema's News] Son Sukku and Jeon Jong-seo confirmed for "Nothing Serious"". HanCinema. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    4. Lee Seung-mi (October 20, 2021). "[공식]전종서X 손석구 주연 '연애 빠진 로맨스', 11월 개봉…티저 포스터 공개" [[Official] 'Romance in Love' starring Jeon Jong-seo and Son Seok-gu, released in November... Teaser poster released]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    5. "'연애 빠진 로맨스' 전종서X손석구, 새로운 얼굴..스틸 12종 공개" ['Romance in Love' Jeon Jong-seo X Son Seok-gu, new face... 12 kinds of stills released]. Herald POP (in Korean). Naver. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    6. "Nothing Serious - Cast (Korean Movie, 2021, 연애 빠진 로맨스)". HanCinema. November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    7. Bae Hyo-joo (November 5, 2021). "'연애 빠진 로맨스' 러닝타임 꽉 채울 신스틸러들" [Scene stealers to fill the running time of 'Romance in Love']. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
    8. Conran, Pierce (September 3, 2020). "JUN Jong-seo and SON Suk-ku Hold Hands for Woo-Ri, Ja-young". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    9. Kang Min-kyung (November 3, 2021). "전종서X손석구 '연애 빠진 로맨스', 11월 24일 개봉 확정 [공식]" [Jeon Jong-seo X Son Seok-gu 'Romance in Love' confirmed to be released on November 24 [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    10. Park Sang-woo (November 2, 2021). "연애 빠진 로맨스' 틱톡 챌린지, 익살 패러디로 MZ세대 저격" ['Romance in love' TikTok Challenge, sniping the MZ generation with a humorous parody]. Daily Sports (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    11. Bae Hyo-Joo (November 2, 2021). "'연애 빠진 로맨스' 470만 팔로워 틱톡커도 열광하는 이유" ['Romance Without Dating' 4.7 million followers Why TikTokkers are enthusiastic]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
    12. Michael Rosser (June 30, 2022). "New York Asian Film Festival reveals Screen honourees and full line-up". Screen Daily. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
    13. "20th Anniversary New York Asian Film Festival, Nothing Serious". New York Asian Film Festival. July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
    14. Yoon Jun-ho (December 17, 2021). "'연애 빠진 로맨스' 안방극장 찾는다…VOD 서비스 오픈" ['Romance in love' is looking for small screens... VOD service open]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
    15. "연애 빠진 로맨스 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" [Romance Without Love (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)]. Melon. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
    16. "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Romance Without Love 2021". KOFIC. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
    17. Bae Hyo-Joo (November 29, 2021). "'유체이탈자'·'연애 빠진 로맨스' 한국영화 주말 흥행 쌍끌이[박스오피스]" ['Fluid Fugitive' · 'Romance in Love' Korean movie weekend box office hit double [Box Office]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
    18. Jang Ah-reum (December 13, 2021). "'연애 빠진 로맨스' 1위 역주행 후 3일 연속 정상 [Nbox]" ['Romance in Love' tops the charts for 3 days in a row after running backwards [Nbox]]. News 1 (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
    19. Heo Min-nyeong (November 17, 2021). "'연애빠진 로맨스' 15세도 볼 수 있는 '빨간 맛' 썸의 세계[영화보고서:리뷰]" ['Romance without love' The world of 'Red Flavor' that even 15-year-olds can see [Movie Report: Review]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
    20. Kim Nara (November 18, 2021). "전종서X손석구의 끝내주는 '연애 빠진 로맨스' [마데핫리뷰]" [Jeon Jong-seo X Son Seok-gu's amazing 'Romance Without Love' [Made Hot Review]]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
    21. Kang Hyo-jin (November 24, 2021). "[Cine리뷰]요즘 것들의 발칙한 '연애 빠진 로맨스', 부모님 몰래 보세요" [[Cine review] Look at the 'romance in love' of things these days, secretly from your parents]. Sports TV News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
    22. "제 58회 백상예술대상" [58 Nominees · Works]. Baeksang Arts Awards (in Korean). April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
    23. Ahn Byung-gil (April 11, 2022). "58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은?" [58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory?]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
    24. Park Seo-yeon (May 6, 2022). "[제58회 백상]'모가디슈' 류승완-'오겜' 대상 영예..이준호X김태리 '2관왕'(종합)" [[58th Baeksang] 'Mogadishu' Ryu Seung-wan - 'Ogem' Grand Prize ... Jun-ho Lee X Tae-ri Kim 'Two Crowns' (Comprehensive)]. Herald POP (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
    25. "새롭게 태어나는 '제58회 대종상영화제'…혁신안과 후보작 공개 …'헌트' 12개 부문 선정" ['The 58th Daejong Film Festival' is reborn... Innovative proposals and nominations revealed… Selected in 12 categories for 'The Hunt']. Handmaker (in Korean). October 12, 2022. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
    26. Han Hyeon-jeong (December 9, 2022). "'대종상' 작품상은 '헤어질 결심'..박해일·염정아 주연상[종합]" ['Daejongsang' Best Picture is 'Decision to break up'..Park Hae-il · Yeom Jung-ah Best Actor]. Maeil Economy (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
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