The Day After
The Day After Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 17, 2026
Movie Overview: The Day After
| Movie | The Day After |
| Release Year | 2017 |
| Director | Hong Sang-soo |
| Genre | Drama / Romance |
| Runtime | 92 minutes (1h 32m) |
| Language | KO |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Day After (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Day After are led by Kwon Hae-hyo . The supporting cast, including Kim Min-hee and Kim Sae-byuk , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Day After stands out as a strong entry in the Drama 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 Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Day After 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 Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Day After
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, The Day After is a Drama, Romance film directed by Hong Sang-soo, written by Hong Sang-soo. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kwon Hae-hyo as Kim Bongwan.
Ending Explained: The Day After
The Day After Ending Explained: On her first day at work, Areum replaces a woman who broke up with the boss. Directed by Hong Sang-soo, this 2017 drama film stars Kwon Hae-hyo (Kim Bongwan), alongside Kim Min-hee as Song Areum, Kim Sae-byuk as Lee Changsook, Cho Yun-hee as Song Haejoo. With a 6.5/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Day After?
On her first day at work, Areum replaces a woman who broke up with the boss. The wife of the boss finds a love note, bursts into the office, and mistakes Areum for the other woman.
Hong Sang-soo's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Kwon Hae-hyo (Kim Bongwan)'s journey. The wife of the boss finds a love note, bursts into the office, and mistakes Areum for the other woman.
How Does Kwon Hae-hyo (Kim Bongwan)'s Story End?
- Kwon Hae-hyo: Kwon Hae-hyo's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Kim Min-hee (Song Areum): Kim Min-hee's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Kim Sae-byuk (Lee Changsook): Kim Sae-byuk's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Day After Mean?
The Day After's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Kwon Hae-hyo may feel rushed. Hong Sang-soo's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
The Day After Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Day After Based on a True Story?
No, The Day After is a work of fiction. While the drama, romance film directed by Hong Sang-soo and starring Kwon Hae-hyo may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Day After?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Kwon Hae-hyo or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Where to Watch The Day After Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTubeThe Day After Parents Guide & Age Rating
2017 AdvisoryWondering about The Day After age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Day After (2017) is 92 minutes (1h 32m). Directed by Hong Sang-soo, the film runs for 92 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Day After is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Day After worth watching?
The Day After is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Day After parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Day After identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Day After (2017)?
The runtime of The Day After (2017) is 92 minutes (approximately 1h 32m).
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.




