Kang HaNeul & Cha EUN WOO (ASTRO)'s ”First Ride” to be released in Asia... Coming soon to Japan

The film ‘The First Ride’ has confirmed its release in major Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong, expanding Korean comedy to the world.

Starting with Mongolia and Indonesia on the 7th, ‘The First Ride’ has confirmed its release in Asian countries such as Macau, Singapore and Hong Kong on the 13th, Taiwan on the 14th, Thailand on the 20th and Vietnam on the 21st. It is also scheduled for release in Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

Director Nam De-joon has deep ties with the Vietnamese market. His previous film, ‘The Great Wish’, was remade locally, and ‘30 Days’ recorded the highest popularity of any Korean romantic comedy film ever released in Vietnam. Against this backdrop, expectations are high for his follow-up film, ‘First Ride’.

Vietnamese distributor Mockingbird Pictures stated, "It's a film filled with the delightful and eccentric journey of friends. It impressively incorporates laughter and friendship that everyone can relate to," predicting that ‘Stride’ will achieve another Korean comedy boom in Vietnam following ‘30 Days’.

Taiwanese distributor Cai Chang stated, "With the combination of director Nam De-joon, who excelled in directing the comedy '30 Days', and actors who are hugely popular in Taiwan, we expect box office success in the Taiwanese market." Purple Plan, responsible for distribution in Thailand and Singapore, explained their decision to distribute First Ride: "We were captivated by the heartfelt storytelling, the charming cast, and the richness and realism of the journey and adventure. It is a film full of laughter, emotion, and unforgettable moments."

Japanese distributor The Klockworx expressed their affection, stating, "It's the vitamin-like comedy film we've been waiting for," while Hong Kong distributor Megaton Entertainment conveyed their positive reception, raising expectations by saying, "Everyone did something bold, sometimes to the point of regret. We hope that through the fresh casting, audiences will experience a unique chemistry unlike anything they've seen before."

‘The First Ride’, which is creating a whirlwind of enthusiastic word-of-mouth, is set to continue its success not only in South Korea but also globally. Currently number one at the South Korean box office, First Ride follows Tae-jong (Kang Ha-neul), who sees things through to the end; the carefree Do-jin (Kim Young-kwang), the handsome Yeon-min (Chae-woo), the sleepyhead Geum-bok (Kang Yong-suk), and the adorable Ok-sim (Han Seon-ae).