There is a tenderness in The World of Love, the newest film from Korean director Yoon Ga-eun. It is a delicately observed portrait of identity and resilience in the face of past trauma, all seen through the eyes of a teenage girl named Jooin, played by Seo Su-bin, in her debut film performance. Jooin is spunky, vivacious, and outspoken about her opinions. Yet, despite her seemingly carefree attitude, there is darkness in her past. When previously unknown elements of her past come to light, her friends and schoolmates begin to treat her differently, and Jooin is forced to reckon with her history.
The World of Love’s narrative is straightforward, but the simplicity of its structure allows for a degree of nuance that elevates the film. Despite how others may view her, Jooin is not defined by her past. In fact, her unwillingness to conform to the expectations of those around her makes it difficult for her friends to empathize, reflecting how challenging it can be for people who have experienced trauma when their reactions are not what others expect.
While Jooin is not defined by her pain, she also is not perfect. At times, she is loud, obnoxious, frustrating, crass – in essence, she is a complex, whole person, with both good and bad traits. While there is no denying that her past has had a major impact on her, it is only one part of her story and does not define who she is. In this way, The World of Love is a powerful and meaningful portrayal of resilience and taking ownership of one’s own story.
Yoon’s simple direction provides space for the themes and actors to speak for themselves. Seo Su-bin brings a degree of life and authenticity to the character of Jooin. An emotional breakdown in a car wash is the film’s emotional climax, and is a powerhouse moment for Seo as a first-time actor. Acting alongside Korean veteran actor Chang Hyae-jin (who plays Jooin’s mother), Seo Su-bin holds her own and establishes herself as someone to watch in future films.
The English title for The World of Love is slightly misleading, since it brings to mind images of a romantic K-drama, and the use of the word “love” is confusing, given the context of the film. While the title mirrors Yoon’s previous film The World of Us, the Korean title has more depth. Roughly translated to “Owner of the World” or “Master of the World”, it brings to mind questions of ownership, agency, and control over one’s life. The name “Jooin” also sounds like “master” in Korean, a play on words that adds another layer of depth to the title, all of which is not conveyed in the English title.
Though not without flaws, The World of Love is a moving and delicately crafted film. While it may not reinvent the coming-of-age story, audiences will connect to the care with which it treats the subject matter and to its sense of authenticity.
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The World of Love (Korean: 세계의 주인)—South Korea. Dialog in Korean. Directed by Yoon Ga-eun. Running time 1 hour 59 min. First released Sept 7, 2025 at the Toronto International Film Festival. Starring Seo Su-bin, Chang Hyae-jin.
This article is part of Cinema Escapist’s dedicated coverage of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.