Korea’s new indie breakout "The World of Love" is building major buzz thanks to a fan-led “no spoilers” challenge that’s sweeping social media and review sites.

The film follows Joo-in, an enigmatic 18-year-old high schooler who hovers somewhere between it-girl and attention-seeker. After she alone refuses to sign a petition backed by the entire student body, mysterious notes begin to arrive ― setting off a story best experienced cold. Directed by Yoon Ga-eun ('The World of Us,' 'The House of Us'), the feature is her first in six years and has drawn raves as many viewers’ “film of the year.”

Early audiences are urging newcomers to go in blind, stripping their reactions of plot details: “Go to the theater knowing nothing” (X), “Don’t look up anything ― just go! It’s incredible” (CGV), “Please watch with zero info” (Naver), and “Highly recommend a spoiler-free big-screen watch!” (X).

The sentiment is clear: ditch preconceived notions, meet Joo-in on her own terms, and let "The World of Love" do the rest.

Ahead of release, the title sparked international interest as the only Korean film invited to compete at the Toronto International Film Festival, then scored two awards at the Pingyao International Film Festival and took the FIPRESCI Prize at the Warsaw Film Festival. Invitations followed from the BFI London Film Festival and Tokyo FILMeX, cementing its global momentum.

Since opening, "The World of Love" has topped Korea’s independent box office and notched a 96% score on CGV’s Golden Egg Index, winning over critics and audiences alike ― and injecting a welcome jolt into a sluggish theatrical market.

"The World of Love" opened on the 22nd and is now playing in theaters. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)