Seoul: Netflix's upcoming romantic film, "Love Untangled," seems to be continuing a popular theme of self-love, echoing the message of embracing one's true self recently seen in the global phenomenon "KPop Demon Hunters."

According to Yonhap News Agency, the film is set in Busan in 1998 and follows the story of Se-ri (Shin Eun-soo), a lovestruck 19-year-old determined to straighten her perpetually frizzy hair. Her goal is to perfect her appearance before making a confession to her high school crush, Kim Hyun (Cha Woo-min). At a press conference in Seoul, director Namkoong Sun said Se-ri's hair is the backbone of the film's plot and its central message of self-acceptance.

The director explained that Se-ri's uncontrollable hair is her biggest complex and the origin of her pain. While it is natural for teenagers to be fixated on their looks and struggle with self-acceptance, the film aims to challenge that mindset. The movie raises the question of whether Se-ri really needs to change it, highlighting the core message about learning to appreciate oneself.

This theme of overcoming shame to find self-love echoes comments made by Maggie Kang, creator of the hit "KPop Demon Hunters." During a press event, Kang explained this message was central to her protagonist, Rumi, who learns to embrace the "demon" patterns she had always kept hidden.

Actor Gong Myoung portrays Yoon-seok, a transfer student from Seoul. Initially cynical with a hidden past, his attitude begins to change as he helps Se-ri with her plan to confess to her crush Hyun, only to find himself unexpectedly falling for her. Gong described the film as appealing to him on a personal level, noting it as "the most youthful portrayal" he could deliver.

"Love Untangled" marks the third feature for director Namkoong Sun, who gained critical acclaim with her 2021 indie debut, "Ten Month." Her second film, "Time to Be Strong," was released last year. The film is set to premiere this Friday on Netflix.