Small Town Rivals Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: Small Town Rivals
| Movie | Small Town Rivals |
| Release Year | 2007 |
| Director | Jang Kyu-sung |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Runtime | 113 minutes (1h 53m) |
| Language | KO |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Small Town Rivals (2007) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Small Town Rivals are led by Yoo Hai-jin . The supporting cast, including Cha Seung-won and Byun Hee-bong , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Small Town Rivals stands out as a strong entry in the Comedy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Comedy narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Small Town Rivals has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Small Town Rivals
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2007, Small Town Rivals is a Comedy film directed by Jang Kyu-sung, written by Jang Kyu-sung. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Yoo Hai-jin as Noh Dae-gyu.
Ending Explained: Small Town Rivals
Small Town Rivals Ending Explained: Cho Chun-sam and Noh Dae-gyu, now both in their thirties, are old friends who went to the same elementary school. Directed by Jang Kyu-sung, this 2007 comedy film stars Yoo Hai-jin (Noh Dae-gyu), alongside Cha Seung-won as Cho Chun-sam, Byun Hee-bong as Baek, Choi Jung-won as Nam-ok. With a 6.7/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of Small Town Rivals?
Cho Chun-sam and Noh Dae-gyu, now both in their thirties, are old friends who went to the same elementary school. In their school days, Chun-sam was always the ambitious class president, while Dae-gyu had to settle for a role as vice president. Twenty years later their roles are reversed: Chun-sam is now a humble farmer who has assumed the post of village chief in his hometown, while Dae-gyu is the newly elected county magistrate. At first, Chun-sam asks his old friend for favours regarding the development of his village, but these requests are turned down. Later, when Dae-gyu proposes building a nuclear waste disposal facility in the county, Chun-sam leads demonstrations against the plan, turning old friends into bitter rivals.
Jang Kyu-sung's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Yoo Hai-jin (Noh Dae-gyu)'s journey. In their school days, Chun-sam was always the ambitious class president, while Dae-gyu had to settle for a role as vice president.
How Does Yoo Hai-jin (Noh Dae-gyu)'s Story End?
- Yoo Hai-jin: Yoo Hai-jin's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Cha Seung-won (Cho Chun-sam): Cha Seung-won's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Byun Hee-bong (Baek): Byun Hee-bong's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Small Town Rivals Mean?
Small Town Rivals's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Yoo Hai-jin may feel rushed. Jang Kyu-sung's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
Small Town Rivals Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Small Town Rivals Based on a True Story?
No, Small Town Rivals is a work of fiction. While the comedy film directed by Jang Kyu-sung and starring Yoo Hai-jin may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch Small Town Rivals?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Yoo Hai-jin or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Small Town Rivals
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $8.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Where to Watch Small Town Rivals Online?
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wavveSmall Town Rivals Parents Guide & Age Rating
2007 AdvisoryWondering about Small Town Rivals age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Small Town Rivals (2007) is 113 minutes (1h 53m). Directed by Jang Kyu-sung, the film runs for 113 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, Small Town Rivals is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2007 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Small Town Rivals worth watching?
Small Town Rivals is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Small Town Rivals parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Small Town Rivals identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Small Town Rivals (2007)?
The runtime of Small Town Rivals (2007) is 113 minutes (approximately 1h 53m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
