The film 'Final Interview' (original title: Six Lying University Students), starring rising actors Kim Jae-won (김재원) and Jo Yi-hyun (조이현), has taken the Korean box office by storm, climbing to number one immediately after its release in Korea on November 4. It's currently generating massive buzz (dubbed 'word-of-mouth explosion' or 口碑炸裂) in Korea, earning rave reviews as "Squid Game for job interviews," a Naver rating of 9.7, and a CGV audience satisfaction score of 95%. With its release in Taiwan slated for November 13, anticipation among international fans is also growing.
Final Interview (최종면접)
- Starring: Kim Jae-won (김재원), Jo Yi-hyun (조이현), Shin Seung-ho (신승호), Kang You-seok (강유석), Kwak Dong-yeon (곽동연), Bae Gang-hee (배강희)
- Genre: Suspense, Psychological Thriller
- Korean Release: 2026년 11월 4일
- Taiwan Release: 2026년 11월 13일
The film 'Final Interview' is based on the Japanese novel "Six Lying University Students" by Akina Asakura. It has been praised for its meticulous portrayal of the dark side of job competition and intense psychological warfare, all within a locked-room thriller format. Notably, with its upcoming release in Taiwan on November 13, local fans are showing immense interest.
Key Viewing Point: The 'Squid Game for Job Interviews'
'Final Interview' depicts a locked-room suspense scenario where six final job candidates, with their dream job within reach, receive mysterious letters exposing each other's private lives. The process of the participants shedding their disguises and attacking each other to determine the sole successful candidate has been praised as "Squid Game for job interviews," earning acclaim for its perfect depiction of the cruel reality faced by young professionals in a high-pressure atmosphere. TVBS reported that "intense revelations and plot twists will satisfy the curiosity of suspense fans." Reporter Kim Ji-yeon (김지연) from CINEPLAY called it "a Mafia game born for the big screen." Yeon Seung (연승) from Seoul Economic Daily highly praised it, saying, "The intense revelations and plot twists are like 'Squid Game for job interviews'." Reporter Kim Na-yeon (김나연) from STARNEWS highlighted "the meticulous psychological warfare that oscillates between truth and lies."
Kim Jae-won X Jo Yi-hyun: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of Their Intense Kiss Scene That Heightened Immersion
The acting chemistry between lead actors Kim Jae-won and Jo Yi-hyun is also considered a crucial element that enhances the film's immersion. In particular, the intense kiss scene between the two actors garnered significant attention. According to reports from ericaheartroom.com and TVBS, Jo Yi-hyun candidly revealed her concerns about "adjusting the intensity so it wouldn't look like a melodrama." Kim Jae-won also shared, "I initially thought it would be a light kiss, but the director asked for deeper physical contact on set to add persuasiveness to the character's subsequent actions," implying that the scene became a crucial turning point in the drama, beyond simple romance. Their "noona-dongsaeng chemistry" (older sister-younger brother dynamic) is also highlighted as another key viewing point of the film. Jo Yi-hyun described Kim Jae-won as a "well-mannered younger brother," while Kim Jae-won likened Jo Yi-hyun to a "cute younger sister," conveying the harmonious atmosphere on set.
https://ericaheartroom.com/%E5%85%AD%E5%80%8B%E8%AA%AA%E8%AC%8A%E7%9A%84%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%B8%E7%94%9F-%E9%87%91%E8%BC%89%E5%8E%9F-%E8%B6%99%E6%80%A1%E8%B3%A2-%E5%90%BB%E6%88%B2/High Praise from Domestic and International Media and Audiences
Immediately after its release in Korea, 'Final Interview' topped the box office, recording cumulative revenue of approximately 1.68 billion Korean Won (KRW) according to KOFIC data (as of November 8). Audience ratings are also very high.
네이버 영화 평점 9.7점
CGV 관객 만족도 95%
메가박스 평점 8.6점
Numerous Korean film reporters have also given positive reviews. Reporter Kim Ji-yeon (김지연) from CINEPLAY described it as "a Mafia game born for the big screen." Yeon Seung (연승) from Seoul Economic Daily commented, "The intense revelations and plot twists are like 'Squid Game for job interviews'." Reporter Kim Na-yeon (김나연) from STARNEWS highlighted "the meticulous psychological warfare that oscillates between truth and lies."
Kagit.kr Editor's Final Review
'Final Interview' goes beyond a simple job-hunting thriller, densely exploring the fierce competition of modern society and the darker aspects of human nature. In particular, the psychological warfare unfolding in a confined space delivers breathtaking tension to the audience, and unpredictable twists captivate viewers until the very end. As reflected by its "word-of-mouth explosion" (口碑炸裂) rating after its Korean release, the film leaves a deep impression on audiences and garners high satisfaction.
- Recommended for: Audiences who enjoy psychological thrillers and suspense films; those curious about the realities of job competition; and fans looking forward to the new chemistry between actors Kim Jae-won and Jo Yi-hyun.
- Viewing Information: Available in theaters in Korea from November 4, and in Taiwan from November 13.
- Please Note: As the film deals with intense psychological warfare and the darker aspects of human nature, it may be uncomfortable for sensitive viewers.
This review is the subjective assessment of the Kagit.kr editorial team and has not received any external sponsorship.
