Starring two of Korea’s most beloved actors— (in his breakout film role) and Lee Yeon-hee —this movie is less about wealth and more about the painful cost of growing up. For those searching for a movie that balances high school arrogance with terminal illness drama, this is the quintessential watch. Below, we break down the plot, the emotional impact, the cast, and why this film still resonates nearly two decades later.
A spoiled, rich high school heir is forced to transfer to a rural, run-down school as part of his grandfather’s will. There, he meets a kind but terminally ill classmate, and — predictably — learns the true meaning of love, sacrifice, and growing up. the millionaire first love korean movie
This revelation shifts the film’s trajectory entirely. The question changes from "Will he get the money?" to "Can he save her?" Jae-kyung, who has always relied on money to fix problems, faces a wall he cannot scale. His wealth is useless against the inevitability of death. Starring two of Korea’s most beloved actors— (in
It is here he re-encounters (Lee Yeon-hee), his quiet, kind-hearted childhood friend whom he had long forgotten. Eun-hwan lives a life of poverty, caring for her grandmother and dreaming of becoming a doctor. Initially, Jae-kyung treats her with contempt, mocking her humble background. But as the forced proximity of small-town life wears down his defenses, he falls genuinely in love with her. A spoiled, rich high school heir is forced
As Jae-kyung spends time in Boram, the walls of his arrogance begin to crumble. He witnesses Eun-hwan’s resilience. He sees that despite her lack of money, she possesses a richness of spirit that his bank account cannot match. The pivotal moment comes not through a grand gesture, but through the slow realization that his previous life was empty.
Released in 2006, this film remains a cultural touchstone for second-generation K-drama and K-movie fans. It introduced audiences to the magnetic charm of Hyun Bin and the ethereal beauty of Lee Yeon-hee. But beyond its star power, the movie endures because it tackles a universal theme: can money truly buy happiness, or is love the only currency that matters when time runs out?