Yoo Ah-in’s Same-Gender Kiss in a ₩200B K-Film? +Why the Lead Broke Down in Tears After 4 Years

On May 26, Korean actress Lee Jae-in broke down in tears at the VIP premiere of her first leading role in the upcoming film ‘HI-FIVE’.

The emotional moment came during a press screening at CGV Yongsan, where she was surrounded by family, friends, and co-stars after waiting four years for the movie to finally be released. "My mom, dad, and little brother are all here,” Lee said, before being overwhelmed with tears. “I’m just so grateful to finally show them this film. Please enjoy it — we worked so hard.”

Lee, who filmed the movie as a high school student, now returns as a grown-up to witness her long-delayed debut reach the public. In ‘HI-FIVE’, she plays Wan-seo, a taekwondo teen gifted with superhuman strength — and she’s at the heart of the story.

💥 A $12–15M Korean Action-Comedy with Superpowers and Heart

‘HI-FIVE’ is a 150–200 billion KRW blockbuster about five ordinary people who gain extraordinary powers after receiving different organ transplants. Wan-seo (Lee Jae-in), aspiring writer Ji-sung (Ahn Jae-hong), a yogurt delivery woman Sun-nyeo (Ra Mi-ran), a construction site boss Yak-seon (Kim Hee-won), and an unemployed hipster Ki-dong (Yoo Ah-in) suddenly develop superpowers tied to the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and cornea, respectively.

Their unique skills — super strength, speed, healing, breath control, and even electromagnetic powers — manifest through mysterious tattoos and lead them into conflict with a cult leader who wants to absorb all of their powers.

Director Kang Hyoung-chul, known for megahits like ‘Scandal Makers’ (8.2M admissions) and ‘Sunny’ (7.4M), returns after seven years with this high-energy action-comedy. He explained that although ‘HI-FIVE’ is built on fantasy powers, it’s ultimately a story about friendship and family.

“Real strength doesn’t come from superpowers,” Kang said. “It comes from love, trust, and the people around us.”

🎬 Familiar Korean Landscapes to Same-Gender Kisses

Filmed across familiar Korean landscapes like neighborhood alleys and chicken shops, the film leans into B-movie-style humor blended with A-tier action. There’s even a wild same-gender kiss scene between Ahn Jae-hong and Yoo Ah-in, which Ahn described as a symbolic moment of team unity.

“It was the turning point where rival team members finally became one,” he said with a laugh.

Fans of Reply 1988 will also appreciate the reunion of Ra Mi-ran and Ahn Jae-hong, who once played mother and son. Ahn called working with Ra “a dream come true again,” praising her unmatched energy on set.

Despite completing filming back in 2021, ‘HI-FIVE’ was shelved due to post-production delays, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the high-profile drug scandal involving Yoo Ah-in, one of its main cast members.

Director Kang addressed the controversy with measured optimism, “This film is not about just one actor. So many people poured their hearts into it,” he said. “If there’s any concern, I truly believe the joy and talent of the cast will more than outweigh it.”

🎟️ Box Office Buzz

Before its official release, ‘HI-FIVE’ already climbed to the #1 spot among Korean films in pre-sales, reaching a 20.2% reservation rate as of May 27. It ranks #2 overall, just behind Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.

‘HI-FIVE’ hits theaters across Korea on May 30, running 119 minutes and rated 15+.

A wild, action-packed ride with laughs, love, and literal heart — this is the Korean superhero film you didn’t know you needed.

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