Netflix’s Melo Movie, at first glance, reads as an account of varied love stories. However, to proclaim it as a simple romantic comedy-drama is reductive and ignores the other forms of love that frequently sway the boat. Tucked in among the romantic stories of connection and disconnection, familial bonds, and friendships—a burgeoning subject matter of K-drama—is a meta-commentary on cinema and its acknowledgement as a singular cultural artifact. It periodically pauses to assess and draw conclusions on the deep influence of cinema on its own narrative anatomy.

Spoilers Ahead

What is the story all about?

Ko Gyeom grows up with the dream of watching every single film that has ever been made in the world. With his knowledge of and passion for films, he is easily someone who seems to be destined for a successful career in cinema. At 26, therefore, he turned up to audition for a film.