The upcoming South Korean comedy "The First Ride" opens with an intimate first-person narration from Yeon-min, portrayed by popular actor Cha Eun-woo. The story begins in elementary school, where Yeon-min, initially a shy and isolated boy, finds acceptance among three other boys who welcome him into their tight-knit group. This chance encounter marks the beginning of what becomes an unbreakable friendship that spans decades.

As the boys mature, Yeon-min develops into a strikingly handsome young man who effortlessly captures everyone's attention with his stunning good looks. However, in one of the film's most endearing comedic elements, he remains completely oblivious to the true source of his popularity. Instead of recognizing his natural charisma and appeal, Yeon-min mistakenly believes he should pursue a career in comedy rather than following his genuine passion for becoming a DJ.

Each of Yeon-min's three childhood friends brings a distinct personality to their dynamic group. Tae-jung, played by accomplished actor Kang Ha-neul, emerges as the archetypal golden boy who excels academically while simultaneously earning recognition as the school's most formidable fighter. Do-jin, portrayed by Kim Young-kwang, embodies the lovable class clown whose aspirations of basketball greatness are tragically derailed by a career-ending injury. The fourth member of their quartet is Geum-bok, played by Kang Young-seok, whose unique background as the son of a Buddhist nun creates an amusing contrast with his profound hatred of studying – a disdain so intense that he has perfected the seemingly impossible skill of sleeping with his eyes open during classes.

Throughout their high school years, these four inseparable friends create an increasingly chaotic and hilariously unpredictable presence in their school environment. During their senior year, the group hatches an ambitious plan to travel to Thailand to attend a major music festival featuring a world-renowned DJ whom both Yeon-min and Do-jin idolize. To convince their skeptical parents to allow this international adventure, the ever-dedicated Tae-jung sacrifices sleep and studies with relentless determination, ultimately achieving the remarkable feat of scoring perfectly on the college entrance examination.

However, their carefully planned first overseas journey takes an unexpected and dramatic turn when an unspecified "incident" occurs at a highway rest area, completely derailing their original plans and dreams. The film then makes a significant time jump to the present day, revealing how dramatically the friends' lives have diverged over the intervening years.

In the present timeline, each friend has settled into vastly different life paths that reflect their individual personalities and circumstances. Tae-jung has channeled his academic excellence into a career as a legislative aide, working within the political system. Geum-bok has found an unconventional but fitting profession as a tattoo artist, operating his business at the very temple where his mother continues to serve as a Buddhist nun. Do-jin's situation proves most troubling, as he now struggles with a mysterious mental illness that has significantly impacted his life. Most notably absent from the group is Yeon-min, who has relocated to New Zealand, leaving a noticeable void in their friendship circle.

The catalyst for reuniting the scattered friends comes from Do-jin's persistent insistence on finally fulfilling their decade-old high school dream of traveling abroad together. Despite the years that have passed and the changes they've all experienced, the three remaining friends decide to honor their original plan and embark on the long-delayed trip to Thailand. Their group is joined by Ok-sim, portrayed by Han Sun-hwa, a woman who has harbored romantic feelings for Tae-jung for many years. In a touching and somewhat absurd gesture, Yeon-min participates in the journey as well, though only in the form of a dummy that represents his presence among his old friends.

What begins as a sentimental journey to recapture their youth and fulfill old dreams quickly transforms into a whirlwind of hilariously absurd and completely unpredictable situations. The friends find themselves navigating through a series of increasingly chaotic events that test both their friendship and their ability to handle unexpected challenges while abroad.

Director Nam Dae-jung reunites with actor Kang Ha-neul for this project, hoping to replicate the commercial success they achieved with their 2023 romantic comedy "Love Reset." Kang delivers an exceptional performance in his portrayal of the "perfect model student," bringing depth to a character whose extreme and almost pathological dedication to excellence becomes a source of genuine humor rather than mere caricature.

The supporting cast members each contribute memorable performances, bringing their eccentric and unique characters to life with straight-faced comedic timing that helps ground the film's more outrageous moments. While the sight of actors in their mid-thirties, with the exception of Cha Eun-woo, portraying teenagers in school uniforms may stretch credibility for some viewers, this casting choice proves to be an acceptable comedic leap that serves the film's overall tone and objectives.

From a structural standpoint, "The First Ride" experiences some pacing issues during its middle section, where the momentum occasionally slows. However, the film successfully regains its footing with a skillfully executed plot twist near the conclusion that not only surprises audiences but also cleverly addresses several plot inconsistencies that appeared earlier in the story. This satisfying resolution makes the investment of time worthwhile and demonstrates the filmmakers' attention to narrative coherence.

"The First Ride" is scheduled for theatrical release next Wednesday, promising audiences a blend of nostalgic friendship themes, absurd comedy, and heartfelt moments that celebrate the enduring bonds of childhood friendships despite the passage of time and life's inevitable changes.