
My Tutor Friend
Choi Su Wan (Kim Ha Neul) is a hardworking college student who takes on tutoring jobs to support herself. When she is assigned to teach Kim Ji Hun (Kwon Sang Woo), a wealthy troublemaker who has been held back in high school multiple times, her patience is put to the ultimate test. Ji Hun, who comes from a privileged family, sees no reason to study and prefers spending his days fighting, causing trouble, and avoiding responsibility. From their first encounter, sparks fly—not in a romantic way, but in a chaotic battle of wills. Su Wan refuses to back down from Ji Hun’s pranks and rebellious attitude, using her no-nonsense approach to keep him in line. Meanwhile, Ji Hun, amused by his fiery tutor’s strong personality, starts seeing her in a new light. As the two constantly bicker and challenge each other, an unexpected romance begins to develop, proving that opposites truly attract. Adding to the tension is Lee Jong Su (Gong Yoo), Ji Hun’s childhood friend-turned-rival, and Kim Ho Gyeong (Kim Ji Woo), Ji Hun’s longtime crush. Their presence complicates Su Wan and Ji Hun’s growing relationship, leading to comedic misunderstandings, schoolyard fights, and heart-fluttering moments that keep the story engaging and full of surprises. With witty humor, action-packed scenes, and heartfelt romance, My Tutor Friend is a classic Korean rom-com that balances laugh-out-loud comedy with touching moments of personal growth and love. Will Ji Hun finally take his studies seriously, or will Su Wan give up on her impossible student? Watch My Tutor Friend to find out!
Details
🙂 Native Title: 동갑내기 과외하기 (Donggabnaegi Gwawoehagi)
🌎 Also Known As: My Tutor Friend, Tutoring a Same-Age Friend
🎭 Genres: Romance, Comedy, Drama
🏷 Tags: Opposites Attract, Rich Male Lead, Strong Female Lead, High School Setting, Forced Proximity, Love-Hate Relationship, Academic Rivalry, Hilarious Misunderstandings, School Romance, Tutor-Student Relationship
✍ Screenwriters: Kim Kyeong Hyeong
🎬 Directors: Kim Kyung Hyung
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Release Date: February 7, 2003
📺 Original Network: – (Theatrical Release)
⏰ Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
🔞 Content Rating: 12+ (Mild Violence, Comedy, Romance)
Best Scenes
- First Tutoring Session Disaster – Su Wan (Kim Ha Neul) struggles to control Ji Hun (Kwon Sang Woo), who refuses to study and turns the session into chaos.
- Library Brawl – Ji Hun gets into a wild fight at the library, showcasing his rebellious nature and action-packed martial arts skills.
- Hilarious Rain Scene – Stuck in the rain, Ji Hun offers Su Wan his jacket, leading to an unexpectedly romantic and awkward moment.
- Jealousy Sparks Tension – When Lee Jong Su (Gong Yoo) enters the picture, Ji Hun’s jealousy over Su Wan creates a comedic yet heart-fluttering love triangle.
- Final Confession – Ji Hun, after a rollercoaster of emotions, finally confesses his feelings to Su Wan in a heartfelt and hilarious way.
Filming Locations
- Seoul High Schools – Authentic classrooms and libraries provide a realistic setting for the school-based scenes.
- University Streets & Cafés – Capturing the vibrant energy of college life, where Su Wan studies and works part-time.
- Korean Jjimjilbang (Bathhouse) – A funny scene where Ji Hun and his friends find themselves in an awkward situation in a public sauna.
- Outdoor Park Date Scene – A quiet moment between the leads that brings out their growing chemistry.
- Street Markets & Small Eateries – The setting for casual yet intimate conversations between Su Wan and Ji Hun.
Visual Design and Costumes
- Casual Yet Trendy Early 2000s Fashion – Oversized school uniforms, baggy jeans, and colorful sweaters reflect the Y2K Korean fashion era.
- Su Wan’s Classic Tutor Look – Neatly dressed with simple yet sophisticated outfits that contrast Ji Hun’s rebellious style.
- School Fight Scenes with Cinematic Angles – Slow-motion effects during action sequences emphasize the intensity of Ji Hun’s fights.
- Warm Color Tones for Romantic Scenes – The lighting shifts to a softer, golden hue in key moments to enhance emotional depth.
- Contrast Between Rich & Poor Backgrounds – Ji Hun’s luxurious home and Su Wan’s modest living space visually emphasize their social differences.
Themes and Messages
- Opposites Attract – A fun take on how two completely different personalities can develop unexpected chemistry.
- Hard Work vs. Privilege – The film highlights the struggles of a hardworking student versus a rich but directionless rebel.
- Personal Growth Through Love – Ji Hun matures as he experiences both discipline and romance from Su Wan.
- Overcoming Family Expectations – Ji Hun fights against the pressure of his wealthy background, seeking his own path.
- Comedy in Everyday Struggles – The film blends humor into relatable life challenges, making the romance lighthearted yet meaningful.
Interesting Facts
- Kwon Sang Woo’s Breakthrough Role – This film helped establish him as one of Korea’s top rom-com stars.
- Gong Yoo’s Early Career Appearance – Before becoming a global sensation, Gong Yoo played a supporting but memorable role.
- Inspired by a Real Tutor’s Story – The film is loosely based on true events from a college student who worked as a private tutor.
- Massive Box Office Success – My Tutor Friend became one of the highest-grossing Korean rom-coms of its time.
- Iconic Fight & Romance Blend – The film perfectly mixes action, comedy, and love, making it a fan-favorite classic.
Awards
“My Tutor Friend” (2003) received several awards and nominations:
-
Grand Bell Awards (2003):
- Best New Actor: Kwon Sang-woo (Won)
- Best New Artist: Gil-woong Ji (Nominated)
-
Baeksang Arts Awards (2003):
- Most Popular Actress (Film): Kim Ha-neul (Won)
-
Blue Dragon Film Awards (2003):
- Best Leading Actress: Kim Ha-neul (Nominated)
These accolades highlight the film’s impact and the recognition of its cast’s performances.
Real-Life Loves on Set
There is no information indicating that the lead actors of “My Tutor Friend,” Kim Ha-neul and Kwon Sang-woo, were involved in a romantic relationship off-screen. Their collaboration was professional, and any rumors about a real-life romance have not been substantiated by credible sources.