The first trailer for the Korean remake of The Intern has arrived, and it shows Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee stepping into the famous roles once played by Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. The September 16, 2026 release is set to bring a Korean touch to the 2015 Hollywood favourite, with the trailer already creating buzz among movie lovers.
What the Trailer Shows About the Story
The teaser introduces Kim Gi Ho, played by Choi Min-sik, a professional with 37 years of experience who decides to start over as a senior intern at a fashion company. The trailer shows his first day at work, filled with both nervousness and excitement.
During his interview with Vice President Young Hwan, played by Kim Jun Han, Gi Ho gets asked about his strengths and weaknesses. His answer shows the movie’s charm right away. He says, “My strength is that I am very experienced, and my weakness is that I am very old”. This honest reply impresses Young Hwan, who hires him as an intern at the fashion startup Wootutu.
Han So-hee plays Sun Woo, the ambitious CEO of Wootutu. She built her company from nothing in just three years. The trailer shows her looking at Gi Ho’s resume photo on a tablet and getting flustered, asking, “Who is this scary person?”. This moment sets up the awkward but promising relationship between the two leads.
Choi Min-sik Takes on the Role Originally Played by Robert De Niro
Choi Min-sik, known worldwide for his role in Oldboy, plays Kim Gi Ho, the character originally portrayed by Robert De Niro. The veteran actor has had a remarkable career, starring in The Admiral: Roaring Currents, which remains the most-watched film in Korean box office history, and more recently in the supernatural hit Exhuma.
The trailer shows Gi Ho setting up his desk in his own unique way. He places a cream bun, an oranda (a traditional Korean snack), a water bottle, a desk clock, a pencil case, and ink on his desk. This contrasts with the modern devices on other desks, showing the generation gap right from the start.
In another scene, Gi Ho searches online for “how to work with MZ generations” on his phone. MZ is a term used in South Korea for millennials and Gen Z combined. This moment shows his struggle to understand younger colleagues and modern workplace culture.
Han So-hee Steps Into Anne Hathaway’s Role as the Young CEO
Han So-hee, who gained fame through The World of the Married and later starred in Netflix’s My Name and Gyeongseong Creature, takes on the role originally played by Anne Hathaway. She plays Sun Woo, a passionate fashion entrepreneur who has achieved great success in a short time.
The trailer shows Sun Woo feeling uncomfortable with the idea of having a senior intern working directly under her. She says, “I don’t get along with all adults in this world, you know”. This sets up the conflict and the eventual bond that will develop between the two characters.
Han So-hee was last seen in the crime film Project Y earlier this year. Her role in The Intern marks another major project for the rising star.
Supporting Cast and Director
The film also features Kim Jun Han as Vice President Young Hwan, Ryu Hye Young as secretary Mina, and Kim Geum Soon in a supporting role.
Kim Do Young directs the remake. He previously directed Kim Ji-young: Born 1982, a film about the pressures faced by Korean women in the workforce, and the romantic drama Once We Were Us, which became a surprise hit. Once We Were Us sold 2.6 million tickets while competing with Avatar: Fire and Ash. This makes Kim Do Young a trusted choice for bringing the Korean version of The Intern to life.
About the Original Hollywood Film
The Korean remake is based on the 2015 American comedy-drama written and directed by Nancy Meyers. The original film starred Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower and retired executive who joins an online fashion startup through a senior internship program.
Ben is paired with Jules Ostin, played by Anne Hathaway, the hardworking CEO of the company. Their relationship starts with awkwardness but grows into a strong friendship. Ben helps Jules handle the challenges of being a boss while managing her personal life.
The original film earned more than $194 million worldwide, five times its production budget. It also performed well in South Korea, attracting 3.6 million moviegoers. These strong numbers likely played a part in the decision to create a Korean version.
Release Date and Theatrical Plans
Warner Bros. Korea will release the film in South Korean theatres on September 16, 2026. The release is timed to coincide with Chuseok, the Korean harvest festival. Chuseok is a major holiday in South Korea, and the period around it is one of the busiest times for movie theatres.
The film will compete with other releases during this peak season, including Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub and REAWAKEN MAN: THE RED. The Chuseok release shows that Warner Bros. Korea has high expectations for the film’s performance.
The movie is produced by Anthology Studios and Warner Bros. Korea. The first poster, released alongside the trailer, shows Gi Ho and Sun Woo walking side by side with confident strides.
Fan Reactions to the Trailer
The trailer has excited fans who are looking forward to seeing these two actors together. One fan wrote, “I am here… patiently waiting for seeing these two great Korean actors in this piece”. Another commented, “The wait is almost over”.
Han So-hee’s fans are particularly happy to see her in a new project. One fan said, “It’s so satisfying and wonderful to see my Han So-hee in a new project. I love this beautiful one of mine so much”. Another simply wrote, “Love love her”.
The Indian Remake That Was Announced
The Intern was also set to receive an Indian remake. The Bollywood version was announced in 2020 with the late Rishi Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. After Rishi Kapoor’s passing, Amitabh Bachchan was brought on board in 2021.
However, the project faced delays, and Deepika Padukone announced last year that she was stepping away from the acting role. She will remain involved as a producer. The current status of the Indian remake remains unclear.
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What to Expect From the Korean Version
The Korean remake keeps the core of the original story while adding a Korean cultural perspective. The themes of generational differences, workplace relationships, and finding purpose later in life remain central.
The trailer shows that the film will blend humour with emotional moments. The awkward situations Gi Ho faces as a senior intern in a young workplace provide plenty of comedy, while the developing relationship between Gi Ho and Sun Woo adds depth.
Choi Min-sik brings his experience as one of Korea’s most respected actors to the role of Gi Ho. Han So-hee brings her star power and acting ability to the role of Sun Woo. Together, they create a pairing that promises to capture the charm of the original while making the story their own.
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