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You Call It Passion (2015) movie poster

Plot Summary

You Call It Passion (2015) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 106 mins · Korean
Directed by
Jeong Gi-hoon
Starring
Teo Yoo, Bae Sung-woo, Hyun Jyu-ni, Lee Byung-joon, Oh Dal-su, Kim Seung-o

Having recently graduated from college, Ra-hee struggles to find a full-time job. Discouraged by repeated rejections, she unexpectedly receives a call from a newspaper, where she’s hired as an intern in the entertainment section. Initially doubting her suitability for the role, she gradually comes to appreciate the dedication and intensity of journalism. Through her experiences, she uncovers the less glamorous, often hidden, realities of the industry.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 What happens: full plot
  2. 2 Plot questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Categories
  5. 5 Every angle

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in You Call It Passion: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of You Call It Passion (2015) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Do Ra-hee, Park Bo-young, starts as an intern in the entertainment desk at Dongmyung, a bustling newspaper, where the rush of headlines collides with the complexities of truth in reporting. She quickly learns there is a chasm between what readers want and what can be responsibly published, and she encounters a newsroom culture that blends ambition with pressure, deadlines with scrutiny, and the thrill of breaking a story with the risk of compromising ethics. The environment is ripe with energy and tension, where every snippet of gossip can become a headline, and where the line between sensationalism and accountability often blurs in the glare of the public eye.

Her first official assignment is to cover a sexual assault scandal tied to an up-and-coming actor, Woo Ji-han, Yoon Kyun-sang from the JS studio. The case attracts intense attention, thrusting Ra-hee into a high-stakes test of her budding journalistic instincts. As she digs through the newly surfaced evidence, she encounters inconsistencies and signs that the material may be fabricated, forcing her to weigh integrity against the pressure to publish. She voices her concerns to her boss Ha Jae-kwan, Jung Jae-young, insisting that she cannot publish unverified claims. Yet Ha Jae-kwan pushes forward and posts the scandal on the newspaper’s site, underscoring how power, speed, and reputation can drive editorial choices even when doubt lingers.

Seeking guidance, Ra-hee turns to her ex-mentor Seon-woo, Bae Sung-woo, who urges her to pursue a more rigorous expose that would reveal the fabrication behind the original piece. The company refuses to run the follow-up, leaving Ra-hee navigating a system that prizes the allure of a hot story over a painstaking confirmation of facts. Undeterred, Ra-hee’s colleagues rally around the cause, using public computers to disseminate the corrective write-up online, a move that demonstrates how digital platforms can challenge entrenched interests and empower broader audiences to demand accountability. The online spread culminates in real consequences: the film studio manager Jang, Jin Kyung, is arrested on corruption charges, signaling a dramatic turn in who bears responsibility when truth is at stake.

In a moment of vindication, the actor thanks Ra-hee for helping clear his name, a reminder of how responsible reporting can shape lives and reputations even when institutions resist. The film closes on a personal note as Ra-hee, energized by the day’s revelations, hurries out of the airport terminal to bid farewell to her boyfriend Seo-jin, Ryu Deok-hwan, who is headed toward another potential entertainment scoop, leaving viewers with a sense of the ongoing, high-stakes chase for truth in a world where information travels fast and consequences travel even faster.

Last updated: February 24, 2026 at 14:17

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Plot questions answered

You Call It Passion Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about You Call It Passion (2015): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did Ha Jae-kwan publish the scandal even after Ra-hee raised concerns about fabricated evidence?

Ha Jae-kwan prioritized the story's potential for high traffic and public attention over journalistic integrity. Despite Ra-hee's objections, he believed the scandal would generate significant clicks and revenue for Dongmyung, demonstrating how pressure to break stories quickly can override concerns about accuracy.

Foreshadowing: Early in her internship, Ra-hee already sensed pressure to produce sensational stories without verification.

  • Ha Jae-kwan
  • fabricated evidence
  • scandal publication
  • newsroom pressure
  • ethical journalism
Q2

How did Ra-hee discover that the evidence against Woo Ji-han was fabricated?

While investigating the sexual assault case, Ra-hee noticed inconsistencies in the material presented to her. Her careful examination of the evidence revealed signs of fabrication, leading her to conclude that the claims against the actor were falsified.

  • Woo Ji-han
  • fabricated evidence
  • investigation
  • Ra-hee
Q3

Why did Dongmyung refuse to publish Ra-hee's counter-exposé about the fabrication?

The company feared backlash from powerful interests and preferred to avoid admitting fault after initially publishing the false scandal. Publishing the correction would acknowledge their earlier error and potentially damage their relationship with the JS film studio, so they chose to protect their reputation over journalistic accountability.

  • counter-exposé
  • company refusal
  • Dongmyung
  • fabrication
  • correction
Q4

What happened to actor Woo Ji-han after the scandal was exposed as fabricated?

After the truth came to light, Woo Ji-han's name was cleared. At a press conference, he publicly thanked Ra-hee for her role in exposing the fabricated allegations and restoring his reputation, acknowledging the impact of responsible journalism on his life and career.

Foreshadowing: The initial scandal thrust the actor into intense public scrutiny and reputation damage.

  • Woo Ji-han
  • actor cleared
  • press conference
  • reputation restored
Q5

How did posting the exposé online lead to Jang's arrest?

The online publication of Ra-hee's exposé reached a wider audience and caught the attention of authorities. The exposure revealed broader corruption within the JS Film Studio, prompting an investigation that led to manager Jang's arrest on corruption charges.

  • Jang arrest
  • corruption
  • online exposure
  • JS Film Studio
  • accountability
Q6

Why did Ra-her colleagues help post the exposé online despite company refusal?

Ra-hee's colleagues believed in the truth of her findings and were motivated by shared ethical values. Using public computers at internet cafes, they bypassed company censorship to ensure the corrective story reached the public, demonstrating how digital platforms can empower journalists to challenge institutional barriers.

  • colleagues
  • online posting
  • internet cafes
  • digital platforms
  • truth
Q7

What was Seon-woo's role in helping Ra-hee pursue the truth?

Seon-woo, Ra-hee's ex-mentor, guided her toward pursuing a rigorous exposé that would expose the fabrication rather than simply refusing to write the original story. His advice helped Ra-hee shift from passive resistance to actively seeking accountability through investigative journalism.

  • Seon-woo
  • mentor
  • guidance
  • counter-exposé
  • investigation
Q8

Why was Ra-hee so determined to expose the truth despite professional risks?

Ra-hee's determination stemmed from her commitment to journalistic ethics and her personal conviction that publishing false accusations was fundamentally wrong. She believed responsible reporting could protect innocent people's lives and reputations, which motivated her to challenge both the fabricated narrative and her own company's refusal to correct it.

  • Ra-hee
  • motivation
  • ethical journalism
  • truth
  • integrity
Q9

What happens at the airport at the end of the movie?

After her successful expose, Ra-hee receives a tip-off about a potential entertainment scoop. She rushes out of the airport terminal to bid farewell to her boyfriend Seo-jin, who is heading out for another story. The scene ends with her already moving toward her next journalistic challenge, showing her continued passion for breaking news.

  • airport ending
  • Seo-jin
  • scoop
  • next story
  • Ra-hee boyfriend
Q10

How did Ra-hee's internship experience change her perspective on journalism?

Initially doubting her suitability for entertainment reporting, Ra-hee came to appreciate the dedication and intensity of journalism. She learned the hard lessons about the gap between what readers want and what responsibly should be published, discovering both the passion and the ethical pitfalls of the industry.

Foreshadowing: Her early days in the newsroom showed her the contrast between glamorous headlines and hidden realities.

  • Ra-hee
  • internship
  • journalism perspective
  • growth
  • learning

Movie threads

More Movies Like You Call It Passion, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes You Call It Passion tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about interns exposing corruption like You Call It Passion

Fresh-faced outsiders expose systemic corruption from the inside. If you enjoyed watching Ra-hee navigate the world of journalism in You Call It Passion, you'll like these films featuring young professionals uncovering hidden truths. These stories share themes of career struggles, moral dilemmas, and a hopeful fight against corruption.

  • investigative
  • whistleblower
  • determined
  • hopeful
  • critical
  • moral dilemma
  • Tone: hopeful, determined
  • Pacing: steady, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a classic arc: an eager newcomer enters an institution, becomes disillusioned by its unethical practices, faces a moral dilemma, and ultimately risks their own position to expose the truth and restore integrity.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share the compelling journey of a young protagonist's professional and ethical coming-of-age. They blend a steady, investigative pace with a medium emotional weight, creating an engaging story about standing up for what's right.

Hopeful journalism movies with a similar vibe to You Call It Passion

Stories where dedicated reporters fight for the truth against powerful forces. Fans of the journalistic spirit in You Call It Passion will appreciate these other films about reporters and writers. These movies capture the determination, critical eye, and hopeful fight for truth that defines the profession, often involving career struggles and uncovering corruption.

  • investigative
  • truth seeking
  • determined
  • hopeful
  • critical
  • journalism
  • Tone: hopeful, investigative, determined
  • Pacing: steady, procedural
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot typically revolves around a journalistic investigation that uncovers a hidden truth or scandal. The protagonist faces obstacles—often institutional pressure or personal risk—but perseveres due to a commitment to their craft, leading to a resolution that affirms the value of journalism.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their setting in the world of news media and their uplifting, determined tone. They share a moderate intensity driven by ethical stakes rather than physical danger, and a steady pacing that allows the investigation to unfold deliberately.

Categories

Movie Lists Featuring You Call It Passion

You Call It Passion appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories

Every angle

You Call It Passion (2015) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about You Call It Passion in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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