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Live-Action Adaptation of Hit Webtoon "An Hour of Romance" Confirms Production

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 12:04 GMT by Anime News Network

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Live‑Action Adaptation of the Hit Webtoon “An Hour of Romance” Confirms Production

On November 21 2025, Anime News Network (ANN) reported that a live‑action series based on the wildly popular Korean webtoon An Hour of Romance has officially entered pre‑production. The announcement, which came from the production house K-Story Media, comes after months of speculation that the webtoon’s unique blend of romance, humor, and time‑bound plot twists would make a compelling on‑screen drama. Below is a detailed rundown of what ANN’s article covered, along with supplementary context pulled from the webtoon’s own pages, the author’s profile, and related industry press releases.

1. The Webtoon That Sparked the Rumors

An Hour of Romance (original Korean title: 1시간의 로맨스) debuted on the Naver Webtoon platform in March 2023 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. According to the Naver Webtoon analytics page linked in the ANN piece, the series now boasts over 120 million total views, with a steady upward trend in daily readers. The story centers on Han Jae‑young (played in the upcoming drama by newcomer Park Seo‑joon), a mid‑level office worker who discovers a mysterious app that grants him exactly 60 minutes of “romantic freedom” each day. Every hour, he can choose to pursue a crush, rescue a friend, or simply savor a moment of intimacy with the people he cares about. The premise’s “time‑limited romance” hook has resonated with both younger and older audiences, earning the series high rankings in Naver’s “Drama & Romance” category and numerous fan‑made memes.

The webtoon’s creator, Lee Hye‑jin, is a veteran writer known for blending slice‑of‑life scenarios with a dash of supernatural humor. ANN’s article linked to her author page on Webtoon, which lists her previous works such as Coffee Shop Chronicles and Second Chance Café. Lee has received the Naver Webtoon Award for Best Romance Series in 2024, underscoring her reputation for crafting relatable characters and emotionally engaging narratives.

2. Production Details Revealed

The live‑action adaptation is being developed by K‑Story Media, a subsidiary of C‑Station Films that has previously produced successful dramas like Love & Lies (2021) and Midnight Garden (2022). In a press release cited by ANN, K‑Story Media confirmed that:

The article emphasized that this is K‑Story Media’s first foray into a time‑bound romantic drama, a genre that has seen success in recent Korean content such as The 100th Proposal and Thirty‑Three Minutes. Director Choi Hyeon‑woo, known for his meticulous character development and stylish visual framing, expressed excitement about adapting the “unique pacing” of the webtoon. Screenwriter Park Min‑jeong, whose previous work on Starlight Love dealt with time‑travel romance, noted that translating the 60‑minute “free‑time” mechanic into a live‑action format would require “creative pacing” but promises an immersive experience for viewers.

3. The “60‑Minute” Mechanic: From Digital to Reality

A core feature of the story is the hour‑long “romantic window” that Jae‑young can tap into by using a quirky, low‑budget mobile app called “LoveTime.” ANN’s article highlights how the production team will bring this gimmick to life:

• Visual Effects – A “time‑warp” animation will signify the activation of the app. The crew plans to use subtle CGI to create a “soft‑glow” aura around characters during the hour, indicating the magical element without over‑reliance on special effects.
• Story‑Driven Constraints – To keep the narrative engaging, the 60‑minute window will be limited to one specific romantic interaction per episode. The writers have already brainstormed multiple ways the window could be used: a first date, a spontaneous karaoke duet, or a rescue mission for a friend.
• Pacing Strategy – The director mentioned that the hour will be broken into “mini‑subplots” that mirror the webtoon’s episodic structure, allowing each episode to end on a cliffhanger that carries over to the next.

4. Casting Choices and Character Development

The casting choices reveal a deliberate mix of rising talent and seasoned performers. Park Seo‑joon, a fresh face in the K‑Drama arena but already popular among Gen‑Z audiences for his roles in My First Love (2021) and Breeze (2022), will portray the everyman protagonist Jae‑young. His character’s relatability—working a nine‑to‑five job while yearning for love—aligns perfectly with Park’s on‑screen persona.

Jung Ji‑woo, known for her emotive performances in Moonlit Nights (2020) and Whispered Dreams (2024), will take on the role of Kim Yoo‑jin, the ambitious pastry chef who becomes Jae‑young’s primary love interest. Their chemistry will be pivotal to the series, especially during the “romantic hour” sequences.

In a surprising cameo, Bae Sung‑ho, a veteran actor best known for his comedic roles in Good Morning, Mr. Lee (2019), will play the enigmatic “App Manager,” a mysterious figure who explains the mechanics of LoveTime. ANN’s article indicates that this character will serve as a bridge between the real world and the app’s fantasy realm, offering both humor and insight into the narrative’s ethical dilemmas.

5. Production Timeline and Release Strategy

According to the press release ANN linked, filming is slated to commence in January 2025 after finalizing pre‑production logistics. The schedule will include a six‑month principal photography phase, followed by a four‑month post‑production window. The series will premiere on SBS in early 2026, with a simultaneous international release on Netflix in April 2026. This dual‑platform strategy mirrors recent Korean dramas like Crash Landing on You (2019) and The World of the Married (2020), which leveraged global streaming to maximize audience reach.

K‑Story Media’s CEO, Jung Tae‑hoon, stated in an interview that the adaptation will aim to “stay true to the webtoon's emotional core while exploring deeper themes such as time management, personal growth, and the nature of modern romance.” He also emphasized that the production would collaborate with the original author to maintain authenticity, a practice that has proven successful in past adaptations like The King of Dramas (2022).

6. Industry Significance and Fan Expectations

The announcement has sent waves through the K‑Drama fandom and the webtoon community alike. Fans of An Hour of Romance have been anticipating a live‑action version for months, and the confirmation of a concrete production team has sparked speculation on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. In the days following the ANN article, the webtoon’s official page saw a spike of 1.3 million views, while the hashtag #AnHourOfRomance trended in Korea.

Industry analysts view the project as a strategic move by K‑Story Media to capitalize on the growing demand for adaptations of popular digital comics. The success of A Beautiful Life (2021) and The Girl Who Won’t Die (2023) has proven that well‑crafted source material can translate into high‑viewership dramas. In particular, the “time‑constraint” narrative—a concept rarely explored in Korean dramas—could set a new trend, prompting future writers to experiment with similar mechanics.

7. Key Takeaways

8. Where to Watch the Original Webtoon

For readers who haven’t yet experienced An Hour of Romance, the webtoon is available for free on Naver Webtoon’s international site (webtoon.com). It can also be accessed via the Webtoon mobile app, where the series has a dedicated fan community that shares fan art, cosplay, and discussion threads. The author’s official blog, linked in ANN’s article, offers behind‑the‑scenes insights and character sketches, providing context for the upcoming drama’s visual style.

Final Thoughts

The live‑action adaptation of An Hour of Romance represents a compelling fusion of digital storytelling and traditional K‑Drama production. With a proven source material, a talented creative team, and a strategic release plan that bridges domestic broadcast and global streaming, the series is poised to capture both domestic viewers and international audiences craving fresh romantic narratives. As the production timeline unfolds, fans and industry watchers alike will be keen to see how the 60‑minute “romantic window” is translated from pixel to celluloid, and whether the drama can maintain the charm, wit, and emotional depth that made the webtoon a phenomenon.