4 Reasons To Watch Heartfelt Romance Film “Once We Were Us”

“Once We Were Us” tells the story of Eun Ho (Koo Kyo Hwan) and Jeong Won (Mun Ka Young), two young people who meet by chance on a bus and slowly become each other’s first love. As they go through various joys and challenges that come with growing up, their relationship deepens. They come to find comfort and support in each other, but eventually, the realities of life lead them down separate paths. When fate reunites them a decade later, old feelings resurface, and they are able to get the closure needed to move on. With its heartfelt romance and emotional look at love and second chances, here are a few reasons why “Once We Were Us” is worth watching.

1. The unbelievable acting from Koo Kyo Hwan and Mun Ka Young

2025 was a huge year for Koo Kyo Hwan. Already regarded as one of Korea’s most versatile actors, with even Lee Je Hoon famously expressing his desire to work with him, he landed his first romance lead role in “Once We Were Us.” And he proves exactly why he deserved it.

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Koo Kyo Hwan shows a heartfelt performance that feels completely natural, portraying every stage of the character’s life with so much ease. From the excitement of first love to the weight of years of regret 10 years later, he is able to capture every emotion in a way that feels so real to the viewers. Opposite of him, Mun Ka Young is just as impressive in the role of Jeong Won. She brings warmth, quiet strength, and emotional depth to the role. Together, they have effortless chemistry that makes you believe every moment of their relationship.

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2. A heartfelt reminder that timing really is everything

At its core, “Once We Were Us” asks one of the most heartbreaking questions: what if you met the right person at the wrong time?

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The film shows so clearly how life circumstances can pull two people apart. Dreams, responsibilities, and the choices they make shape Eun Ho and Jeong Won’s relationship in ways that feel painfully realistic. Their story is a reminder that sometimes love isn’t always enough. If Eun Oh and Jeong Won had met later in life when their dreams were fulfilled, they might have been able to live out the love they had for each other. Their story is the kind of romance that stays with you because it feels so true to life.

3. You’ll laugh just as much as you’ll cry

While “Once We Were Us” is emotional, it never feels overwhelmingly heavy. The film balances its heartbreaking moments with lots of warmth, humor, nostalgia, and youthful charm. Watching Eun Ho and Jeong Won slowly fall for each other is filled with romantic encounters and playful teasing that reminds us of first love.

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That contrast makes the emotional scenes hit even harder. Just when you’re smiling at their sweet interactions, the story reminds you how fragile those moments can be. By the end, don’t be surprised if you’re reaching for the tissues.

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4. The beautiful cinematography

The film’s visuals are just as moving as its performances. One of its most striking creative choices is its use of black-and-white and color cinematography to distinguish different points in Eun Ho and Jeong Won’s journey. Rather than simply looking beautiful, the shifting visuals become part of the storytelling itself, reflecting the emotions and memories that shape their relationship.

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Every frame feels thoughtful and intimate, making the emotional moments hit even harder. The movie leaves viewers with a lasting impression long after the credits roll.

If you haven’t already, make sure you check out “Once We Were Us” here:

Watch Now

binahearts is a Korean-Canadian published author, content creator, and influencer whose ultimate biases are Song Joong Ki and BIGBANG, but has lately been seen obsessing over Hwang In Yeop. Make sure you follow binahearts on IG as she journeys through her latest Korean crazes!

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Winners Of The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards

The winners have been announced for the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards!

Hosted by Shin Dong Yup, Suzy, and Park Bo Gum, this year’s Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony was held on May 8 at COEX in Seoul. Established in 1965, the Baeksang Arts Awards are widely recognized as one of South Korea’s most prestigious honors in television and film.

The Grand Prize in the broadcast category went to Ryu Seung Ryong of “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim,” while Yoo Hae Jin of “The King’s Warden” won the Grand Prize in the movie category.

Check out the full list of winners below!

Broadcast

Grand Prize: Ryu Seung Ryong (“The Dream Life of Mr. Kim”)

Best Drama: Netflix “You and Everything Else”

Best Educational Program: KBS1 “Our Shining Days”

Best Variety Show: MBC “The Wonder Coach”

Best Director: Park Shin Woo (“Our Unwritten Seoul”)

Best Screenplay: Song Hye Jin (“You and Everything Else”)

Best Actor: Hyun Bin (“Made in Korea”)

Best Actress: Park Bo Young (“Our Unwritten Seoul”)

Best Supporting Actor: Yoo Seung Mok (“The Dream Life of Mr. Kim”)

Best Supporting Actress: Lim Soo Jung (“Low Life”)

Best New Actor: Lee Chae Min (“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty”)

Best New Actress: Bang Hyo Rin (“Aema”)

Technical Achievement: Kang Seung Won (“The Seasons” – music)

Best Male Entertainer: Kian84

Best Female Entertainer: Lee Soo Ji

Movie

Grand Prize: Yoo Hae Jin (“The King’s Warden”)

Best Movie: “No Other Choice”

Best Director: Yoon Ga Eun (“The World of Love”)

Gucci Impact Award: “The King’s Warden”

Best New Director: Park Joon Ho (“3670”)

Best Actor: Park Jeong Min (“The Ugly”)

Best Actress: Mun Ka Young (“Once We Were Us”)

Best Supporting Actor: Lee Sung Min (“No Other Choice”)

Best Supporting Actress: Shin Sae Kyeong (“HUMINT”)

Best New Actor: Park Ji Hoon (“The King’s Warden”)

Best New Actress: Seo Su Bin (“The World of Love”)

Best Screenplay: Byun Sung Hyun and Lee Jin Seong (“Good News”)

Technical Achievement: Lee Min Hwi (“Pavane” – music)

Theater

Baeksang Best Theater: “Jellyfish”

Best Young Theater: Tank of fire (“Chang So” – theater company)

Best Performer: Kim Shin Rok (“PRIMA FACIE”)

Musical

Best Musical: “ARANG”

Creative Achievement: Seo Byung Goo (“Evita” – choreography)

Best Performer: Kim Junsu (“Beetlejuice”)

Popularity Award

Naver Popularity Award: Park Ji Hoon, Lim Yoona

Congratulations to all of the winners!

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62nd Baeksang Arts Awards Announces Nominees

Nominees have been announced for the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards!

The Broadcast, Movie, Theater, and Musical candidates were chosen among productions that aired or were released between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. For broadcasts, candidates were chosen among programs that have aired at least one third of the series as of March 31. For Best New Actor, those who have starred in no more than three productions were eligible to be nominated. Productions that were excluded last year because they were released during the screening period were also included in this year’s pool.

Check out the nominees below:

Broadcast

Best Drama

  • tvN “Our Unwritten Seoul”
  • JTBC “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim”
  • Netflix “You and Everything Else”
  • Disney+ “Low Life”
  • tvN “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty”

Best Variety Show

  • MBC “Extreme84”
  • MBC “The Wonder Coach”
  • SBS “The Ballad of Us”
  • Coupang Play “The White Collars 2”
  • Netflix “Culinary Class Wars 2”

Best Educational Program

  • Netflix “The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies”
  • KBS1 “The Talent War”
  • KBS1 “Our Shining Days”
  • KBS1 “The Holy Elements”
  • SBS “The Strange Vet in the Strange Zoo”

Best Director

  • Park Shin Woo (“Our Unwritten Seoul”)
  • Woo Min Ho (“Made in Korea”)
  • Yoo Young Eun (“Can This Love Be Translated?”)
  • Jo Yeong Min (“You and Everything Else”)
  • Jo Hyun Tack (“The Dream Life of Mr. Kim”)

Best Screenplay 

  • Kwon Jong Kwan (“The Price of Confession”)
  • Song Hye Jin (“You and Everything Else”)
  • Lee Kang (“Our Unwritten Seoul”)
  • Lee Seon (“To My Beloved Thief”)
  • Chu Song Yeon (“The Art of Sarah”)

Technical Achievement

  • Kang Seung Won (“The Seasons” – music)
  • Kim Nam Sik (“Low Life” – VFX)
  • Kim Tae Sung (“Made in Korea” – cinematography)
  • Eom Seong Tak (“You and Everything Else” – cinematography)
  • Yoon Jin Hee (“Crime Scene Zero” – art direction)

Best Actor 

Best Actress

Best Supporting Actor 

Best Supporting Actress 

Best New Actor 

  • Kim Jin Wook (“Low Life”)
  • Bae Na Ra (“Weak Hero Class 2”)
  • Lee Chae Min (“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty”)
  • Jung Jun Won (“Resident Playbook”)
  • Hong Min Ki (“To My Beloved Thief”)

Best New Actress 

  • Kim Min (“Low Life”)
  • Bang Hyo Rin (“Aema”)
  • Shin Sia (“Resident Playbook”)
  • Jeon So Young (“Honour”)
  • Choi Ji Su (“Undercover Miss Hong”)

Best Male Entertainer

Best Female Entertainer

Movie

Best Movie

  • “The Final Semester”
  • “Good News”
  • “The World of Love”
  • “No Other Choice”
  • “The King’s Warden”

Best Director 

  • Kim Do Young (“Once We Were Us”)
  • Park Chan Wook (“No Other Choice”)
  • Byun Sung Hyun (“Good News”)
  • Yoon Ga Eun (“The World of Love”)
  • Jang Hang Jun (“The King’s Warden”)

Best New Director

  • Kwon Yong Jae (“The Price of Goodbye”)
  • Kim Soo Jin (“Noise”)
  • Kim Yong Hwan (“Your Letter”)
  • Park Joon Ho (“3670”)
  • Jang Byung Ki (“When This Summer is Over”)

Best Actor

Best Actress 

Best Supporting Actor

Best Supporting Actress

Best New Actor

Best New Actress

  • Seo Su Bin (“The World of Love”)
  • Shin Sia (“Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight”)
  • Shin Eun Soo (“Love Untangled”)
  • Chae Won Bin (“YADANG: The Snitch”)
  • Choi Yu Ri (“My Daughter is a Zombie”)

Best Screenplay

  • Park Joon Ho (“3670”)
  • Byun Sung Hyun and Lee Jin Seong (“Good News”)
  • Yeon Sang Ho (“The Ugly”)
  • Yoon Ga Eun (“The World of Love”)
  • Lim Na Moo (“People and Meat”)

Technical Achievement

  • Kim Sang Beom and Kim Ho Bin (“Good News” – edit)
  • Kim Woo Hyung (“No Other Choice” – film)
  • Lee Mok Won (“The Ugly” – art)
  • Lee Min Hwi (“Pavane” – music)
  • Jung Sung Jin and Kim Woo Chul (“Omnisicient Reader” – VFX)

Gucci Impact Award

  • “The Final Semester”
  • “People and Meat”
  • “The World of Love”
  • “The King’s Warden”
  • “Pavane”

Theater

Baeksang Best Theater

  • “Last Interview”
  • “A Mirror”
  • “SAMMAEKYUNG”
  • “End Wall”
  • “Jellyfish”

Best Young Theater

  • Kim Yeon Min (“ZOOM IN: CHEKHOV” – director)
  • Munjibang (“Haboob” – theater company)
  • Tank of fire (“Chang So” – theater company)
  • Lee Kyeong Heon (“Ex Libris” – playwright)
  • The Creative Company LAS (“Function Domino” – theater company)

Best Performer

  • Kwon Jung Hoon (“Tulip”)
  • Kim Si Yu (“You Don’t Know Your Son”)
  • Kim Shin Rok (“PRIMA FACIE”)
  • Jeon Hye Jin (“[ANTHROPOLISⅡ] Laios”)
  • Ji Choon Sung (“SAMMAEKYUNG”)

Musical

Best Musical

  • “The Longest Nights”
  • “Laika”
  • “ARANG”
  • “RED HARE ; JEOKTO”
  • “Man in Hanbok”

Creative Achievement

  • Seo Byung Goo (“Evita” – choreography)
  • Oh Lupina (“Mad Hatter” – direction)
  • Oh Sang Jun (“ARANG” – original score)
  • Lee Sun Young (“Laika” – original score)
  • Han A Reum (“RED HARE ; JEOKTO” – playwriting)

Best Performer

  • Kim Junsu (“Beetlejuice”)
  • Min Kyoung Ah (“Red Book”)
  • Park Eun Tae (“Man in Hanbok”)
  • Yu Ria (“Evita”)
  • Hong Kwang Ho (“Moulin Rouge!”)

The ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 8 at 7:50 p.m. KST and will be broadcast live via JTBC.

While you wait, watch “To My Beloved Thief”:

Watch Now

“The Judge Returns” here:

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And “Once We Were Us”:

Watch Now

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62nd Baeksang Arts Awards Announces Nominees插图

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