"Regret what?" she answered.
The story is simple, contained, and built on a classic sitcom-style misunderstanding:
The 2018 boss in love was a beautifully constructed lie—a power imbalance wrapped in cashmere, sold as a slow burn. And we devoured it. Not because we wanted to date our bosses, but because we wanted to believe that even in the cold, quantified world of open offices and KPIs, someone powerful might see us as more than a line item. Two years later, remote work and Slack would kill the proximity required for the trope. But for one year, the corner office felt like a confession booth—and we were all listening.
The film was a co-production between and STRONGBERRY . STRONGBERRY also acted as the distributor, playing a key role in getting the film seen by its audience. The film's original title is "차장님은 연애중" ( Chajangnimeun Yeonaejung ), which translates to "The Manager is in Love". boss in love -2018-
The story follows Se-young, a vice-chief who decides to invite his girlfriend to the office for a private date after all the other employees have left for the day. Just as their evening begins to progress, their romantic privacy is interrupted by the unexpected return of a new employee, Joo-ah. Rotten Tomatoes Critical Reception Reviewers on Letterboxd
: The natural chemistry between Kim Yu-ra and Choi Woo-jeong grounds the high-energy premise in authentic affection.
Despite its brief running time, the movie leaves an impression through its natural, engaging performances. Se-young (Kim Yu-ra) "Regret what
: As a prominent distributor of LGBTQ+ Asian media, the film can be streamed on GagaOOLala with regional subtitle options.
He wasn't like the caricature. Over steaming bowls, he laughed with a voice that didn't measure cadence the way he did in meetings. He confessed, awkwardly, that he couldn't order pho without asking for extra cilantro, because flavors, he said, were the only things he couldn't schedule into neat boxes.
(차장님은 연애중) is a 2018 South Korean romantic comedy short film that remains a standout gem in the realm of modern LGBTQ+ Asian cinema. Directed by Ahn Ji-hee and produced by the acclaimed indie studio Strongberry, this 16-minute slice-of-life comedy packs an incredible amount of charm, emotional tension, and lighthearted wit into a single, late-night office setting. Not because we wanted to date our bosses,
At its core, Boss in Love relies on the classic trope of the forbidden office romance, uniquely reimagined for a modern setting. When the rest of the company clocks out, the empty corporate space transforms into an exclusive sanctuary for Se-young and Hye-mi. The film uses this transition to explore how queer couples are sometimes forced to find covert, safe spaces to express their love. The stark, minimalist design of the contemporary office contrasts beautifully with the tenderness of their date, highlighting the tension between professional identity and personal desire. Enter Joo-ah: The Complication
: A crisis outside the office forces the boss to strip away their corporate armor.
During its release in 2018, queer representation in mainstream South Korean media was incredibly rare. Independent production houses like MATCHBOX LLC and queer-centric streaming labels filled this gap. Boss in Love opts out of a tragic narrative, choosing instead to present a light, joyful, and deeply relatable romantic comedy that treats its central relationship with normalcy and warmth. Streaming and Availability
Boss in Love (2018) is a short South Korean romantic comedy film that explores a workplace-based lesbian romance with lighthearted charm. Directed by Ahn Ji-hee, this 16-minute short film was released in November 2018 and has become a notable entry in the Korean "Yuri" or girls' love genre.
| Actor | Role | Character Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Kim Yoo Ra | Se-young | The cool, hardworking boss and the object of affection for both women. | | Choi Woo Jung | Hye-mi | Se-young's lover, who arrives to surprise her. She is a former colleague and is portrayed as sweet and feisty. | | Choi Min Je | Joo-ah | The new employee who has a crush on her boss, Se-young, and returns to the office to confess. | | Kang Soo Yeon | Nah Dae Ri | A supporting character. |