The First Ride – Kang Ha-neul, Cha Eun-woo, & Co. Go on the Most Chaotic Trip of Their Lives!

The First Ride (Korean: 퍼스트라이드) is an upcoming South Korean comedy film set to release in theaters on October 29, 2025. Directed by Nam Dae-joong, the story follows four childhood friends who finally set out on the dream trip they once promised each other.

The First Ride Korean movie, captures youthful emotions with a heartwarming mix of friendship, love, and discovery. What begins as a long-awaited getaway quickly slips into chaos, laughter, and buried emotions that no one expected.

The movie carries the simple but powerful idea of friendship that survives decades, even when life drags people in different directions. Tae Jeong, Do Jin, Yeon Min, and Geum Bok are not the same kids they once were, but their bond is still there.

The plan is simple: take their first trip abroad together. Yet the trip to Thailand turns into one misadventure after another. Every mistake, every detour, and every clash reveals who they are now compared to who they once were.

This is not just a story of travel. It’s a reflection on how time changes people, but also how certain connections stay the same. The ride is funny, absurd, and a little painful. Sometimes friendship looks like joy, sometimes like madness, and sometimes like both at the same time.

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Characters and Cast Bring the Humor

Kang Ha-neul plays Tae Jeong, the perfectionist. He dreams big, works hard, and obsesses over details. Even as an adult, he still wants to prove himself, maybe even reach the top. He represents the kind of friend who seems to have it all together, but in truth, his control comes from fear of failure.

Kim Young-kwang steps in as Do Jin, the happy fool. He’s described as cheerful but careless, often dragging the group into ridiculous situations. His dream of raising cattle in his own home adds a layer of absurdity that fits his role perfectly. He is the comic energy that keeps the group alive even when things fall apart.

Cha Eun-woo plays Yeon Min, the handsome dreamer who wants to be a world-famous DJ. His character is both funny and insecure, wondering why people laugh at him when he is not even trying to be funny. The film leans into his charm but also makes space for his confusion about identity.

Kang Young-seok plays Geum Bok, perhaps the most unusual of the four. He floats between seriousness and eccentricity. He hates studying so much that he trains himself to sleep with his eyes open. His quirks set him apart, but they also balance the group dynamic.

Han Sun-hwa adds another layer with Ok-shim, a character full of shameless confidence. She has loved Tae Jeong for nearly two decades and refuses to let go. Her obsession mirrors his perfectionism, making their connection both funny and unsettling.

Each role is written to highlight not just comedy but different ways people grow—or fail to grow—over time. These friends may laugh together, but they also clash, and that tension shapes the trip.

A Reunion on Screen

Director Nam Dae-joong reunites with Kang Ha-neul after their 2023 box office hit Love Reset. That film made over $18 million worldwide and ranked among Korea’s biggest movies of the year.

Nam is known for his quirky sense of timing and comedy that feels fresh rather than forced. His past works, like The Last Ride and Homme Fatale, also played with unusual rhythms, and The First Ride looks ready to follow the same path.

The production is handled by Brainshower and TH Story, while Showbox takes charge of distribution. Showbox is no small player. It has delivered major hits like The Thieves, Assassination, and Taxi Driver. With that kind of backing, The First Ride is expected to reach a wide audience both at home and abroad.

Filming took place from March 21 to June 11, 2025. The project was also introduced at the 2025 Cannes Film Market, giving it international exposure even before release.

That inclusion signals confidence in its appeal outside Korea. Showbox will handle world sales, and the combination of comedy and star power may help it find an audience overseas.

Industry Buzz and Expectations

The film already carries a buzz thanks to its cast. Kang Ha-neul is a proven lead in comedy. Kim Young-kwang has a reputation for charm on screen. Cha Eun-woo, a K-pop idol from ASTRO, brings both acting experience and global fan attention.

He has already shown his ability to carry roles in dramas like True Beauty and Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung. His name alone may draw younger international viewers into theaters.

Promotional materials have leaned into the humor. Character posters show each friend’s exaggerated personality. A trailer narrated by Cha Eun-woo’s character starts with the line: “I used to think that I was the dumbest guy in the world. Until I met these real dummies.” That tone sets the stage. The humor is self-aware, mocking, but rooted in affection between friends.

The release date of October 29, 2025, positions the film in the fall season, when Korean audiences often look for lighter entertainment before the heavier winter blockbusters arrive. It’s also a time when comedies tend to perform well at the box office.

Still, expectations can cut both ways. The success of Love Reset raises the bar high. Viewers may enter expecting another hit comedy, but ensemble adventure films are harder to balance.

Too much focus on one character can weaken the group dynamic. Too many gags without depth can make the story forgettable. This is where Nam Dae-joong’s direction will be tested. Can he balance the absurd chaos with moments of sincerity about friendship?

Who Is This Movie For? A Viewer’s Guide

Based on the premise, cast, and director’s previous work, here’s who will likely enjoy The First Ride the most:

• Fans of the Cast: If you follow Kang Ha-neul, Kim Young-kwang, or Cha Eun-woo, this is a must-watch. Each actor is playing a type they excel at.

• Lovers of Lighthearted Ensemble Comedies: If you enjoyed films like “Hangover” or “We’re the Millers” for their group dynamics and escalating mishaps, this will be in your wheelhouse.

• Viewers Interested in Modern Korean Culture: This is a great example of a contemporary Korean commercial film—well-produced, star-driven, and blending humor with heart.

• Maybe Not For: Those seeking a heavy, plot-driven drama or high-stakes action. This film’s strength is in its character interactions, not a complex narrative.

Final Take: More Than a Comedy, a Litmus Test for a Genre

The First Ride arrives with a proven formula: a hit director, a bankable cast, and a universally relatable theme. Its success won’t just be measured at the box office, but in how effectively it revitalizes the friendship comedy for a post-pandemic audience.

After years of limited travel and social distancing, the theme of reconnecting with old friends on an adventurous trip carries a new poignancy.

The film’s ultimate challenge is to make the chaos feel meaningful. If it can deliver laughs that are rooted in genuine character history and emotion—much like Love Reset balanced divorce with comedy—it will be more than a fleeting diversion.

It will be a touching reminder that the friends who knew you “when” are often the ones who can help you remember who you are now. For that reason, The First Ride has the potential to be the feel-good movie of the season.

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