"Did You See It?" is a review column where we watch trending movies firsthand and share honest impressions and key takeaways. <Editor’s Note>
[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] It’s solid. Let’s look at the dictionary definition of “solid”: “Having few notable flaws or faults” and “unpretentious and steady.” The movie *The Intern* fits that description.

The film “The Intern,” which was released 11 years ago and became a favorite for countless viewers, has returned as a Korean adaptation. Any doubts about whether it could surpass the chemistry between Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway are answered by the smile that spreads across your face after watching the movie.
“The Intern” begins when “Ki-ho” (Choi Min-sik), a 37-year veteran “silver intern,” joins the company of “Seon-woo” (Han So-hee), who has rapidly risen as a dark horse in the fashion industry just three years after launching her brand. The film depicts office life that transcends both generations and job titles.
I had three main impressions while watching the film. First, it’s solid. Second, it’s perfect for watching with family. Third, I want to work at Utuutu!
The core theme running through the film is “the value of predictability.” Since it faithfully follows the main plot of the original work, there are no unexpected dramatic events or intense suspense. It’s more like the comfort that comes from something familiar. However, this very predictability is the film’s most powerful asset. While there are no highly dramatic twists or turns, it offers comfort and solace to audiences who are weary of such elements.

The actors’ performances breathe life into the familiar narrative. Choi Min-sik’s masterful pacing—effortlessly shifting between charm and gravitas (though it’s surprising how these two qualities coexist)—guides the audience through the film’s emotional arc. He is not a second Robert De Niro; Choi Min-sik is simply Choi Min-sik.
Han So-hee, who plays a professional workaholic CEO, also creates a multidimensional character through her perfect chemistry with her senior co-star, Choi Min-sik. She faithfully captures the complex emotions of Seon-woo, a successful CEO who struggles to find balance between work and life.
The supporting characters are not merely window dressing either. Characters with their own distinct personalities—including Kim Jun-han, Ryu Hye-young, Kim Geum-soon, Park Ye-ni, Kim Yo-han, Im Seong-kyun, and Yoon Sang-jeong—elicit delightful laughter at just the right moments, adding the unique vibrancy characteristic of office comedies. The localization is also quite well done; it genuinely feels as though Utuutu could actually exist somewhere in Seongsu-dong.

Of course, viewers who have already experienced the freshness of the original film may find it difficult to feel the same sense of wonder from the Korean version. Since they already know the general direction of the story, the plot development after the midpoint might feel somewhat predictable.
However, the appeal of “The Intern” doesn’t lie in sensational events or massive plot twists to begin with. For the countless Seon-woos out there—who already live in an overly demanding world and hurt themselves by berating themselves as “picky” people—the hand, tissue, and thumbs-up that Ki-ho offers serve as a warm source of comfort.

Director Nancy Meyers, the creator of the original film, said of *The Intern*, “This movie began with my wish that there had been someone to quietly support me during my youth.” She added, “I hope you’ll find warm laughter and comfort in the Korean version of *The Intern*, and I sincerely hope it becomes a film that everyone will remember for a long time.”
Director Kim Do-young added a layer of personal growth to the story and provided entertainment through subtly tweaked details. Audiences who enjoy healing, coming-of-age stories, and heartfelt moments will find this a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
“The Intern” is a film that offers gentle comfort for life’s hardships and struggles. It is a successful remake that offers viewers familiar with the original the fun of spotting details unique to the Korean version, while providing those encountering it for the first time with a heartwarming experience. Directed by Kim Do-young. Runtime: 132 minutes. Opens September 16. One post-credits scene (?).