In a surprising career move, actor Jang Dong-yoon steps behind the camera with his debut feature nuruk, which is set to open on April 15 and meet audiences nationwide.
nuruk will be released exclusively at Megabox, marking Jang Dong-yoon’s first feature-length film as a director. The story follows Dasul (played by Kim Seung-yoon), an 18-year-old girl from a famed neighborhood brewery who adores makgeolli. When the taste of the rice wine suddenly changes one day, she sets out to find the missing nuruk — the traditional fermentation starter at the heart of the brew — sparking a fresh and intriguing adventure.
Jang first debuted as a filmmaker in 2023 with the short film Please Be My Ear. With nuruk, anticipation is high to see what distinctive color and sensibility he will bring to a full-length feature, especially how his delicate emotional touch and original storytelling will unfold on screen.
The newly unveiled poster captures the film’s singular mood. The line "Can I find my world again?" appears alongside an image of Dasul clutching a bottle of makgeolli, immediately raising curiosity. The striking combination of a high school girl and makgeolli draws the eye and heightens interest in the movie.
nuruk has already earned recognition for its craftsmanship, earning invitations to major Korean festivals including the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, the Seoul Independent Film Festival, and the Ulju Mountain Film Festival. Director Lee Tae-dong of 'Jojjoso' and 'Manager Kang' joins as producer, while a distinctive cast — led by Kim Seung-yoon and featuring Song Ji-hyeok and Park Myung-hoon — boosts the film’s completeness.
All eyes are on whether nuruk, with its unconventional subject and fresh direction, will spark buzz at the box office this spring.