Love Rest

My rating: 8.5/10

Review 

For what it was, Love Reset was really good. It was clearly meant to lean more comedic than anything else, and I'm super impressed because they pulled off a major turnaround that I genuinely didn't think was possible (no spoilers here on why). The acting from Kang Ha-neul and Jung So-min was excellent, and the story stayed interesting enough that I kept watching even when one particular point I considered stopping. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quirky thriller-romance hybrid—it's not your typical feel-good fluff. It's more of a darkish, relatable take on marriage struggles that might make some viewers feel truly heard in its portrayal of how resentment builds. It's unique and thoughtful in a genre that's often predictable.

Spoilers

I had serious doubts about No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra getting back together, given how much they seemed to genuinely dislike each other before the accident. How could memory loss alone fix that level of bitterness? But then I stepped back and thought about real-life couples I've known—several who hit rock bottom, made huge mistakes against each other, reached a point of near-hatred, then had some kind of reset (a breakup, a crisis, time apart) and realized the "big" issues weren't actually that big.  That's exactly what happens here: they were stuck in a toxic cycle of nitpicking faults, often as self-defense because each felt unloved or constantly annoyed by the other. The surprise for me was how well they showed that growth—it wasn't just "amnesia = bliss." No Jeong-yeol remembered everything in the end, and he didn't deny the bad memories or pretend the new start erased them; he acknowledged the pain and chose to move past it thoughtfully. That made the transition feel earned and realistic, especially since Hong Na-ra was arguably harsher to him pre-amnesia, while he had already fixed a lot of what bothered her. Even if she regained her memory fully, there'd be enough good new memories to outweigh the old ones.  

I'm superstitious enough that if something like double traumatic head-injury amnesia happened in real life (and they both survived the crash, which was called a miracle), I'd see it as fate or destiny giving them another shot—it's that rare.  So, there's also that. Even though it was hard in the beginning seeing them being able to resolve that much animosity, t felt like there was some fate rolled in or how could such an unlikely thing happen. Two people, on the eve of divorce and both of them not only live through a severe accident but develop almost identical amnesia.

Hong Na-ra's mother, Joo Sook-jeong, was the most interesting character—I couldn't figure her out at first. She seemed so severe and like she'd never accept No Jeong-yeol, but in the end, I admired her because her bottom line was just wanting her daughter to be happy.  

The fourth-wall breaks, especially with the crypto kid bit where they point out "he's got lines," and a few other moments, added a fun, quirky element. It wasn't necessary, but it wasn't annoying either—it lightened the mood without derailing things.  

I did almost quit halfway through—the middle dragged a bit with the families trying to keep them apart and No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra going along with it. At that point, I wasn't even rooting for them and thought they should just divorce anyway. But I'm glad I stuck it out. The unique turnaround was handled in such a thoughtful way, and it made the whole thing rewarding.

Synopsis

A once-passionate marriage has soured into mutual resentment for No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra, leading them to the courthouse for a divorce settlement with just 30 days left before it's final. But fate intervenes with a dramatic car accident that wipes both their memories clean—they wake up in the hospital not recognizing each other or their bitter history. As amnesia turns strangers into wide-eyed lovers all over again, their families scramble to jog their recollections and push the divorce through, while the couple rediscovers the spark that first brought them together. Blending sharp comedy, heartfelt reflection, and quirky family interference, this rom-com explores whether love can truly reset... or if the past is too stubborn to forget.

Runtime and Year  

- Runtime: 119 minutes (1 hour 59 minutes)  

- Year Released: 2023 (theatrical release on October 3, 2023)

Major Characters  

- No Jeong-yeol (Kang Ha-neul) — A lawyer who was deeply in love with Na-ra at first but grew frustrated in marriage; charming and comedic on the surface, but carries quiet hurt from the relationship's decline; post-amnesia, he's earnest and rediscovers his affection.  

- Hong Na-ra (Jung So-min) — A strong-willed woman who married against family wishes but ended up clashing intensely with Jeong-yeol; sarcastic, fiery, and independent; her amnesia lets her fall for him fresh, revealing her softer, playful side.  

- Joo Sook-jeong (Kim Sun-young) — Na-ra's supportive yet meddlesome mother; initially seems stern and opposed to Jeong-yeol, but her actions stem from deep care for her daughter's happiness.  

- Bae Ki-bae (Yoon Kyung-ho) — Jeong-yeol's friend/colleague; provides comic relief and commentary on the chaos.  

- Cheon Ae-ok (Song Hae-na) — Part of the family/friend circle involved in trying to restore memories and separate the couple.