In this week’s drama review, we’re diving into a rom-com that takes an unexpected turn, blending humor, romance, and a chillingly timely premise. Meet ‘Virus’, the 2025 production written and directed by Kang Yi-kwan.
A Date Gone Wrong
The story begins with Nam Su-pil (Son Suk-ku), a lab researcher devoted to clinical studies. He’s set up on a date with Ok Taek-seon (Bae Doona), but their first meeting goes south when work calls him back to the lab.
While there, Su-pil accidentally gets infected by a new virus after handling a lab mouse. Unaware of his infection, he decides to redeem himself with a surprise visit to Taek-seon’s home, where her mother and sister welcome him to dinner.
What starts as a polite meal turns bizarre when Su-pil becomes overly emotional, suddenly confessing his love and even proposing marriage. A shocked Taek-seon locks herself in the bathroom, and when she comes out, finds him asleep on the sofa. What she doesn’t know is that she’s already been exposed to something far more dangerous than an awkward dinner.
Falling in Love, Fatally
The next day, Taek-seon meets up with her ex-classmate Kim Yeon-woo (Jang Ki-ha), who is trying to sell her a car. Their casual ride spirals into an overnight trip to the beach, only to be interrupted the following morning by doctors who reveal that Su-pil was carrying a new virus, and that she is now the first known contact.
Warned by Su-pil’s colleague not to trust the officials, Taek-seon escapes with Yeon-woo and seeks the help of virus expert Lee Kyun (Kim Yun-seok). Tests confirm her infection, but her body reacts differently, showing unusual symptoms: uncontrollable bursts of happiness, falling in love without reason, and euphoric highs that inevitably end in tragedy.
Lee Kyun and Taek-seon begin a desperate search for a cure, but looming threats, rival scientists, government interference, and the escaped lab mouse that started it all, put everything at risk, including Taek-seon’s life.
A Genre-Bending Ride
At its core, ‘Virus’ is more than a medical thriller. It’s a daring blend of rom-com energy and psychological drama, balancing absurd moments of joy with the creeping dread of a fatal illness. Bae Doona delivers a stellar performance, while Son Suk-ku and Kim Yun-seok add layers of intensity and intrigue.
With its unique premise, a virus that makes people fall in love before it kills them, ‘Virus‘ is both eerily relatable and refreshingly original. It’s a story that lingers, mixing laughter, love, and loss in a way few films dare to attempt.
Curious? ‘Virus’ is now streaming, and you can watch the trailer below.
