'The Intern' Korean remake tests legacy of beloved original hit

The Korean remake of "The Intern" claimed the top spot at the local box office, becoming the first domestic film in 50 days to reach No. 1 by dethroning a long-running foreign hit. Released 11 years after the original, the remake drew immediate attention, offering a welcome sense of familiarity to returning fans while appealing to new viewers with its warm emotional tone. However, adapting a polished and widely loved classic carries the weight of high expectations, inviting more measured reviews as inevitable comparisons emerge. Released on Sept. 16, the film held the top position for two consecutive days, ending the weekslong run of "The Odyssey." Early audience response has been positive, generating a 95 percent score on the CGV Golden Egg Index and a 9.0 audience rating at Lotte Cinema. The story explores the office life that unfolds when Gi-ho, an intern with 37 years of professional experience, joins a fashion startup led by Seon-woo, a CEO who rapidly emerged as a breakout entrepreneur just three years after launching. The film was directed by Kim Do-young, known for "Kim Ji-young