Switch (2023 film)

Switch  is a 2023 South Korean comedy-drama film written and directed by Ma Dae-yun. Starring Kwon Sang-woo, Oh Jung-se, and Lee Min-jung, the film depicts the story of Park Kang, a top star who enjoys a splendid single life, a top star who is a recognized scandal maker, and faces a moment when his life changes 180 degrees when he meets a taxi driver on Christmas Eve.

It was released theatrically in South Korea on January 4, 2023.

Cast

 * Kwon Sang-woo as Park Kang, a top star
 * Oh Jung-se as Jo Yoon, friend of Park Kang and an extreme job manager
 * Lee Min-jung as Soo-hyun, an art instructor
 * Park So-yi as Ro-hee, Kang and Soo-hyun's daughter
 * Kim Joon as Ro-ha, Kang and Soo-hyun's son
 * Cha Hee as Woo Hee, Park Kang and Jo Yoon's junior
 * Kim Mi-kyung, Park Kang's mother

Special appearance

 * Kim Ha-young as bride

Production
Switch marks the comeback of Lee Min-jung in films, her last appearance was in rom-com Wonderful Radio (2012). Principal photography began on January 17, 2021, and was wrapped up on March 29, 2021.

Release
On November 16, 2022, the distribution company Lotte Entertainment released the first multiverse poster and trailer, announcing the title of the film as Switch, which was previously known as "The Christmas Present" (크리스마스 선물, keuriseumaseu seonmul). On December 5, 2022 it was announced that the film will premiere on January 4, 2023.

On January 3, 2022 a special money-back guarantee screening of the film was held. A full refund of the admission fee was offered to the audience in case they were dissatisfied with the film and presented the ticket at the box office within 20 minutes after the screening of the film.

Reception
The film released on January 4, 2023, on 912 screens. It opened at 5th place with 30,513 admissions at the Korean box office.

, with gross of US$3,050,961 and 422,417 admissions, it is at 24th place in the Korean films released in 2023.

Critical response
Choi Jeong-ah reviewing for Sports World praised the performance of Kwon Sang-woo writing, "Kwon Sang-woo's calm and restrained acting in the second half of the play stimulates the audience's tear glands". Choi concluding, opined, "It is an above-average work in all aspects of acting and directing, fun and emotion, message and sound." Kim Yu-jin reviewing for Xports News praised the performance of the cast. Kim appreciating acting of Park So-yi and Kim Joon wrote, "Child actors Park So-yi and Kim Joon's performance are a vital force that disarms the entire generation." Kim quoted director Ma Dae-yun's contention that "it's a movie that's good to watch with your family and is like a gift."