Two movies about love will go up against each other this coming 15th. It looks like it will be a neck-and-neck race for “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” and “Love Forecast.” The two movies both have a love plot, but not quite the same kind of love. “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” (director Ha Jung-woo, production DHUTA) puts paternal love at its front. It tells the story of Hur Sam-gwan (Ha Jung-woo) who has no money and no plans and only a deep grudge. An incident involving his beautiful wife (Ha Ji-won) and their three sons is about to change everyone’s life forever.

The movie incorporates the same chord that was at the heart of “Interstellar” and “International Market” from last year. “Interstellar” wove the theme of paternal love into science fiction while “International Market” did it with historical drama. “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” will express the theme more lightly in a comedy. 

Its rival “Love Forecast” (director Park Jin-pyo, production Popcorn Film) is about the “instant love” and the ambiguous love games of the young people today. Moon Chae-won plays the role of the most popular weather girl Hyun-woo who is extroverted and suave to others but violent and bad-mouthed in front of her friend of 18 years, Jun-su. Moon Chae-won leaves behind her delicate, feminine image and gears up with whim and charm. The younger audience is also likely to be attracted to the “love game” factor that has been an issue since last year.

The actors of the two movies will also pose a few indecisive moments for the audience. Ha Jung-woo plays two roles for “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” – a director and an actor. Ha Ji-won joined the team and bolstered the comic plot. “Love Forecast” is Lee Seung-gi’s debut movie. He is joined by charming actress Moon Chae-won who completely shook off her calm image for the movie. 

The audience will have to decide which of the two movies to watch. “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” and “Love Forecast” come to theaters on January 15.