"Acting opposite the first male celebrity I ever liked, Kwon Sang-woo, gave me so much strength," said Moon Chae-won.

Actors Kwon Sang-woo and Moon Chae-won are set to open the new year with laughter and heart. They team up in the film Heart Man, directed by Choi Won-seok, a comedy that goes beyond humor to deliver emotional depth and a resonant message.

Kwon Sang-woo further evolves his signature comedy style. Following the box-office success of the Detective and Hitman series, which together drew more than 10.71 million moviegoers, he once again commits fully to the role—this time exploring not only comedy, but fatherhood, love, and moments of quiet introspection.

"Working with Kwon Sang-woo was incredibly fulfilling," Moon Chae-won said. "The shoot was enjoyable, and I'm very satisfied with the film."

The press screening and media conference for Heart Man took place on January 8 at Lotte Cinema World Tower, with Kwon Sang-woo, Moon Chae-won, Park Ji-hwan, Pyo Ji-hoon, and director Choi Won-seok in attendance.

Heart Man follows Seung-min (Kwon Sang-woo), who struggles to win back his first love, Bona (Moon Chae-won), after they reunite—only to find himself entangled in secrets that complicate everything. The film is adapted from the 2015 movie No Kids, reworked to better reflect Korean sensibilities.

Director Choi explained, "I focused on capturing the feeling of first love and placed strong emphasis on the music." Having collaborated with Kwon Sang-woo for the third time following the Hitman series, he noted the difference: "Unlike overt gag-driven comedies, this film flows naturally, with emphasis on emotional rhythm rather than exaggeration."

The humor arises organically from situations and character dynamics. Kwon Sang-woo's trademark sly charm blends seamlessly with Moon Chae-won's bright, lively presence, creating relatable chemistry. Park Ji-hwan described the film as one about excitement—found in long relationships, old friendships, and dreams finally coming into focus.

Kwon Sang-woo plays Seung-min, a former rock band vocalist who now runs a musical instrument fan shop. Though not portraying a professional singer, he delivers memorable stage scenes. "I'm not an amazing singer, but I worked hard for those moments," he shared, recalling an early scene of Seung-min performing as a college student. "It wasn't exactly age-appropriate," he joked, "but I wore a wig and gave it everything I had."

He added, "Every day on set, I wasn't thinking about work, but about how to make each scene more fun. Heart Man will remain a happy memory for me." He also praised his young co-star Kim Seo-heon, who plays his daughter, noting her natural acting and ease on set.

Moon Chae-won transforms into Bona, Seung-min's first love, portraying subtle emotional shifts after their reunion. The film closely follows her inner journey. Her radiant first-love image drew praise from her co-stars, with Kwon Sang-woo calling it her most beautiful role to date.

"I think I always wanted to play a first-love character," Moon said. "I'm grateful I could finally do it, and I was satisfied watching the film myself." To embody the role, she made conscious efforts to stay upbeat and active, surrounding herself with positive energy.

She spoke warmly of her chemistry with Kwon Sang-woo. "He was the first celebrity I ever liked. Working together was meaningful, even if I didn't show it much on set," she said. "He's upbeat and decisive, leading the set with great energy—that helped me a lot."

Director Choi highlighted Kwon Sang-woo as the film's anchor. "This is our third project together. At this point, we understand each other instantly—the chemistry has only grown stronger."

Kwon Sang-woo also shared his determination to connect with audiences. "Theaters are having a hard time right now. I'm deeply grateful to viewers who come and pay to watch films. I'll express that gratitude wholeheartedly once the movie opens."

Moon Chae-won added, "A healthy film industry depends on diverse movies being made. I hope our film carries its own meaning for audiences."

Director Choi concluded, "We worked hard on this film with great actors. Though the release was delayed, I'm confident." Kwon Sang-woo closed by saying, "I hope audiences leave with genuine laughter and positive energy."

Heart Man opens in theaters on January 14.