Netflix Rom-Com ‘Messily Ever After’ Starring Kim Min-ha & Noh Sang-hyun Begins Production
- Netflix is bolstering its Korean content lineup with a new romantic comedy, Messily Ever After, currently in production in Seoul.
- The project centers on Su-hyun, played by Kim and Hyun-tae, portrayed by Noh, a couple navigating the complexities of a decade-long relationship.
- Kim Min-ha takes on the role of a perfectionist museum curator, a character whose carefully constructed professional life is disrupted by feelings of jealousy and emotional insecurity.
Netflix is bolstering its Korean content lineup with a new romantic comedy, Messily Ever After, currently in production in Seoul. The film stars Kim Min-ha and Noh Sang-hyun, reuniting the pair following their work together on the Apple TV+ series Pachinko.
The project centers on Su-hyun, played by Kim and Hyun-tae, portrayed by Noh, a couple navigating the complexities of a decade-long relationship. Rather than focusing on the initial spark of romance, the narrative delves into the challenges and nuances that emerge as a relationship matures. As Netflix describes it, the film “explores what it really means to stay together after the honeymoon phase has long ended — capturing the messy mix of loyalty, irritation, desire and doubt that comes with truly knowing someone.”
Kim Min-ha takes on the role of a perfectionist museum curator, a character whose carefully constructed professional life is disrupted by feelings of jealousy and emotional insecurity. Noh Sang-hyun plays an installation artist deeply committed to his creative vision and resistant to compromise. The dynamic suggests a relationship built on both attraction and fundamental differences, promising a realistic and relatable portrayal of modern love.
Behind the camera, Messily Ever After marks the feature film directorial debut of Seo Jung-min. The film is being produced by Bombaram Film, a Seoul-based production company with a track record of critically and commercially successful projects, including the youth romance Love Untangled and the socially impactful drama Kim Ji-young, Born 1982. Netflix’s backing of the project signals its commitment to supporting emerging Korean filmmakers and expanding its diverse range of Korean-language content.
The announcement of Messily Ever After comes as Netflix continues to invest heavily in Korean programming. The streamer recently unveiled a slate of 33 titles, encompassing scripted series, feature films, and unscripted formats. This ambitious lineup includes a variety of genres and star power, from the romantic comedy Boyfriend on Demand, starring Blackpink’s Jisoo, to the superhero drama The Wonderfools with Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo, and the highly anticipated new film from Lee Chang-dong, Possible Love. The slate also features returning seasons of popular unscripted series like Singles Inferno, Culinary Class Wars, and The Devil’s Plan, alongside scripted projects such as Tantara, which will star Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo.
Netflix’s strategy reflects the growing global demand for Korean entertainment, fueled by the international success of series like Squid Game and Kingdom. The platform is not only acquiring established hits but also actively developing original content to cater to a wider audience. The inclusion of projects like Messily Ever After, which focuses on the everyday realities of a long-term relationship, suggests a desire to offer more nuanced and relatable stories alongside the high-concept dramas and thrillers that have become synonymous with the “Korean Wave.”
Beyond Messily Ever After, both Kim Min-ha and Noh Sang-hyun have busy schedules. Kim Min-ha is also slated to appear in the upcoming Netflix K-drama Dead-End Job, following her role in Pachinko and other projects like Light Shop and Not Alright But It’s Alright. Noh Sang-hyun recently starred in Netflix’s Genie, Make a Wish and has also appeared in Behind Every Star, Soundtrack 2, 300-Year-Old Class of 2020, and We Are Peaceful Brothers. Roh Jae Won, also cast in Messily Ever After (also known as Starlight), has a substantial presence on Netflix, with roles in Squid Game seasons 2 and 3, Can This Love Be Translated, A Killer Paradox, Daily Dose of Sunshine, and DP. He is also set to appear in a supporting role in the next season of All of Us Are Dead.
While a specific release date for Messily Ever After has not yet been announced, the film’s production is underway, and its addition to Netflix’s robust slate signals a continued commitment to delivering diverse and compelling Korean content to a global audience. The film’s focus on the complexities of long-term relationships, coupled with the talents of its lead actors and the directorial debut of Seo Jung-min, positions it as a potentially significant addition to the growing landscape of Korean romantic comedies.
Another title for the film, Starlight, has also been reported, though Netflix currently lists the working title as Messily Ever After.