'Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight' shows romance building daily despite memory loss

Actors Shin Si-a, left, and Choo Young-woo in a scene from “Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio

The upcoming teen romance film “Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight” focuses on the delicate process of how love builds over time, carrying a brighter tone than the original novel, according to its director Kim Hye-young.

"I enjoyed the original novel. Especially the line that 'the feeling of liking someone is rooted in the senses' really resonated with me. I loved the idea that even if memories fade, the sensory experience of falling in love is never truly forgotten," Kim said following the movie's premiere at a theater in Seoul, Monday.

Based on Japanese author Misaki Ichijo's 2020 novel of the same title, the film tells the story of Seo-yoon (Shin Si-a), who loses her memory every day, and Jae-won (Choo Young-woo), who replaces her lost memories every day.

The novel was first adapted into a Japanese film in 2022, which also became a hit in Korea, garnering 1.21 million admissions. A musical adaptation also graced Korean stages earlier this year.

The director said she felt pressured because the original story was so famous, but she really wanted to tell it from a Korean perspective.

"Because the original was so beloved, I had many concerns. However, that popularity proved how much readers empathized with the story. I wanted Korean audiences to share that empathy and reflect on the true meaning of love," Kim said.

Actor Choo Young-woo in a scene from “Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio

Actor Choo, playing the high schooler Jae-won, marks his big-screen debut with this movie. "I’m thrilled. Since I started acting, it has been a dream of mine to sit in a theater and watch my own film. Seeing that come true is incredibly exciting," he said.

Shin Si-a, who portrays Seo-yoon, a girl living with anterograde amnesia following an accident, said she focused on the human element of her role.

"Rather than just portraying the symptoms of memory loss, I focused on Seo-yoon as a person. I tried to capture her diverse charms and vibrant personality," Shin said.

Actor Shin Si-a in a scene from “Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio

The movie artfully depicts the exchange of emotions, showing how first love blossoms despite the challenging circumstances of Seo-yoon’s memory loss. It starts out as a cute romance but eventually turns into a deeply moving story that leaves the audience in tears.

Set to be released on Christmas Eve, the film is already gaining significant traction. It currently ranks third in ticket reservations, trailing only global blockbusters “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Zootopia 2.”