Boy (2026 Korean Film) – Release Date, Cast, Story and What the Trailer Tells Us

Boy (보이) is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about Korean movies arriving in early 2026. With a compelling mix of crime-thriller tension and emotional family drama, the film brings together a powerful cast led by Jo Byeong Kyu and Seo In Guk. Set against the gritty backdrop of the fictional Pogu City, this analog-style Korean drama promises romance, rivalry, and raw street-level conflict colliding on the big screen. Here is a detailed breakdown of everything confirmed so far about Boy (2026), including release details, plot expectations, and where audiences will be able to watch it.

Movie Overview

• Title: Boy (보이)

• Format: Feature Film

• Language: Korean

• Genres: Political Action Thriller, Family Drama, Romance

• Country: South Korea

• Initial Festival Premiere: November 16, 2025

• Theatrical Release Date: January 14, 2026

Cast and Characters

A major reason for the early hype around Boy (2026 film) is its impressive lineup of performers.

Main Cast

• Jo Byeong Kyu (조병규)Best known internationally for his role in the Netflix series The Uncanny Counter, Jo Byeong Kyu stars as one of the central brothers. His character is expected to carry much of the film’s emotional weight: conflicted, fiercely loyal, and increasingly pulled toward love instead of crime.

• Yoo In Soo (유인수)Recognized for his scene-stealing performance in All of Us Are Dead, Yoo plays the second brother. His character represents the darker, more violent side of Pogu City’s criminal ecosystem.

• Seo In Guk (서인국)A veteran star of Korean film and television, Seo In Guk portrays the powerful local kingpin who shields the brothers and manipulates the neighborhood hierarchy. His involvement signals a serious, high-quality production.

• Yoo In Soo as MalikAnother crucial role tied to RJ’s investigative orbit.

• Jini (지니)The female lead whose arrival ignites the main opposites-attract romance. Her character disrupts the brothers’ routine and sets off a chain reaction of unexpected emotional entanglements.

Supporting Roles

The movie also features several additional first-time Korean actors who will play important figures in the neighborhood: enforcers, clients, and family members who deepen the central feud.

Plot Breakdown

What is the story of Boy (보이) about?

Official Premise: The film is set in the fictional Pogu City, a rough and isolated urban neighborhood stuck in 1987-style analog technology and criminal traditions.

The protagonists are two brothers who control a brutal local block. They survive thanks to the protection of a powerful debt-collector kingpin. Their lives revolve around collecting unpaid debts, defending turf, and maintaining respect inside a violent hierarchy.

Everything changes when they meet a mysterious young woman.

• The brothers begin to question their future

• Romance develops in places it never existed

• Old loyalties start to crack

• The local patriarch issues a deadline to solve the mess before taking matters into his own hands

What begins as a routine life of organized crime slowly becomes a psychological journey about love, virtue, and whether the cycle of violence can ever truly be broken.

Key Themes

• Family bonds vs criminal loyalty

• The gap between fantasy-style Korean romance and real-life challenges

• Paranoia and redemption

• Class and background stereotypes

The narrative will explore whether RJ’s instincts as a former photographer can help him see clues others miss.

Production Details

• Director: Andy Muschietti

• Writer: Dennis Kelly

• Music Composer: Andrea Von Foerster

• Production Companies: Warner Bros, KVN Productions

• Running Time: 90 minutes

The involvement of A-1 Pictures guarantees high animation quality and vivid fantasy sequences contrasting with gritty ED settings.

Where to Watch

Streaming and Broadcast Information

Boy (보이) will first premiere exclusively in cinemas across South Korea and select international territories. After its theatrical window:

• The film is expected to stream globally on Netflix

• Subtitled versions will be available in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent

• Viewers will be able to watch it through Netflix apps on smart TVs, mobile devices, and desktop browsers

Exact global streaming dates will be announced by Netflix later in 2026.

Early Reception

Festival Reviews

The initial premiere at Sundance Film Festival generated strong critical reactions, scoring around 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.2/10 on IMDb.

Critics noted the slow-burning tension and authentic look at cross-cultural relationships without the stylized dating-show formula.

Why Boy (2026) Matters

This film is more than another Korean crime drama.

• It marks Vijay’s final appearance before politics

• Brings analog-style Korean storytelling back to Netflix

• Introduces emotionally mature dating themes

• Offers games for viewers at home

Much like TLC’s earlier investigative works, this project elevates voices of ex-congregants speaking out for the first time.