In this week’s review, we’re finally diving into a 2025 film that had been sitting on our watchlist for quite some time. Promising comedy, friendship, and pure chaos, this story ended up delivering much more than we expected. Let’s talk about ‘The First Ride’.
Written and directed by Nam Dae-joong, ‘The First Ride’ follows the story of four childhood friends who were once inseparable. As adults, they’re still connected, but life, loss, and unhealed wounds have changed the dynamics of their friendship.
The group consists of Tae-jung (Kang Ha-neul), a perfectionist who always aims to be the best at everything he does; Do-jin (Kim Young-kwang), who once dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player until a teenage injury crushed that dream; Yeon-min (Cha Eun-woo), whose passion for music leads him to dream of becoming a DJ; and Geum-bok (Kang Young-seok), the quietest of the group, with a deeply devoted heart and an endearingly quirky personality.
As teenagers, the four friends make an ambitious promise: once they graduate, they’ll travel to Thailand to attend a massive music festival and see a legendary DJ perform. Tae-jung, graduating at the top of his class, asks his parents for permission—and soon enough, the boys set off on what they believe will be the adventure of a lifetime. Unfortunately, fate intervenes when they miss their bus at a stop, and the trip never happens apparently.
A Not-So-Bright Future
The film then jumps forward in time, showing just how far apart their lives have drifted. Tae-jung is working a stable but unfulfilling job, Geum-bok has chosen a monk-like lifestyle, Do-jin is hospitalized in a psychiatric ward due to ongoing mental health struggles, and Yeon-min appears to be living abroad.
When Do-jin is discharged from the hospital, Tae-jung and Geum-bok pick him up to celebrate. After a few drinks, Tae-jung leaves early for work, only to later find the two of them waiting at his place. In a moment fueled by nostalgia and impulsive hope, the trio wonders: what if they finally took the trip they never got to experience as teenagers?
Determined to lift Do-jin’s spirits, they decide to travel to Thailand after all, to attend the very music festival they once dreamed of. Joining them is Jin Ok-sim (Han Sun-hwa), Tae-jung’s longtime friend who has never been subtle about her crush on him. To make the journey feel complete, Do-jin even brings along a human-sized inflatable with Yeon-min’s face on it, symbolically keeping their missing friend close.
Once in Thailand, chaos ensues. From falling victim to a scammer posing as a tour guide, to actually meeting the DJ they’ve idolized for years, to narrowly escaping organ trafficking schemes, and even landing in prison more than once, their trip becomes wildly unpredictable. Amid all the madness, the friends are forced to confront unresolved grief, lingering guilt, and the reality of losing someone they deeply cared about.
More Than Just Comedy
‘The First Ride’ stands out thanks to its strong performances and genuinely human characters. While the film leans heavily into comedy, it never loses sight of its emotional core. At its heart, this is a story about friendship in its purest form, about growing up, falling apart, and finding your way back to the people who shaped you.
Blending grief, love, nostalgia, and absurd humor, the film strikes a surprisingly balanced tone. It’s chaotic, heartfelt, and deeply human, making ‘The First Ride’ much more than just a comedy. If you’re in the mood for a story about overcoming loss, embracing change, and celebrating lifelong friendships, this one is well worth the ride. You can watch the trailer below.
