Winter Sonata Re-Edited for Japanese Release as a Two-Hour Movie

The iconic Korean drama Winter Sonata, widely credited with initiating the Korean Wave, is set to be re-released in Japan as a two-hour movie on March 6, 2026. The re-edit condenses the original 1,400-minute series into a more concise format for Japanese audiences.

A Beloved Classic Returns

Starring Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, Winter Sonata originally aired on KBS in South Korea in 2002 and quickly gained immense popularity in Japan after being broadcast on NHK the following year. The drama sparked the “Yonsama craze” in Japan, catapulting Bae Yong-joon to superstardom. Winter Sonata is the second installment in the “Endless Love” tetralogy, directed by Yoon Seok-ho.

High-Definition Re-Release and Director’s Perspective

The special edition movie has been recreated in high definition, focusing on the central love story of the main characters. Director Yoon Seok-ho revisited the drama twenty years after initially receiving the offer to adapt it into a film.

“I re-watched the drama from beginning to end 20 years after receiving the offer to create it into a movie. I felt that the script, acting, music and directing were well aligned and had a synergistic effect,” Director Yoon stated during a special pre-screening event held in Tokyo on February 26, 2026.

Reflecting on Social Change

Director Yoon also commented on the evolving media landscape, noting the significant impact of social media. “Comparing when Winter Sonata was produced and now, I think the spread of social media (SNS) is the biggest social change. In a situation where opportunities for people to share their emotions directly have decreased, I hope this work will evoke pure and rich emotions.”

About Winter Sonata

Winter Sonata (Korean: 겨울연가; RR: Gyeouryeonga) is a 2002 South Korean television drama series. The series consists of 20 episodes and was broadcast on KBS2 from January 14 to March 19, 2002. The story follows Joon-sang, played by Bae Yong-joon, as he navigates love and loss in the picturesque setting of Chuncheon and Seoul. More information about the series can be found on Wikipedia.