Coming of Age (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Coming of Age is a South Korean drama about a welding engineer whose terminal cancer diagnosis unsettles the lives of his daughter, estranged former wife, elderly mother-in-law, brother and young nephew. Directed and written by Jeong Seung-o, the film runs 105 minutes.

Coming of Age is a 2026 South Korean drama centered on the sudden impact of a terminal cancer diagnosis. The news reaches far beyond the patient, affecting relatives whose lives have taken separate paths.

Written and directed by Jeong Seung-o, the film brings together a family ensemble led by Ki Joo-bong, Ha Yoon-kyung and Yang Mal-bok. Its 1-hour-45-minute running time gives the story room to follow the people connected to Cheol-taek and the changes his diagnosis sets in motion.

Coming of Age movie details

Story without spoilers

Cheol-taek, a welding engineer, learns that he has terminal cancer. His diagnosis becomes a turning point for the people around him, including his only daughter Jeong-mi, a bit-part actress, and Hyun-sook, who had effectively divorced him and was enjoying retirement after a career as a civil servant.

The situation also touches Hyun-sook’s mother Ok-nam, who is approaching her nineties; Cheol-taek’s older brother Kwan-taek; and Kwan-taek’s grandson Dong-min. Rather than focusing on Cheol-taek alone, the premise follows how the diagnosis affects several generations of the family.

What to expect

As a drama, Coming of Age is built around family relationships and the consequences of serious illness. The premise suggests an ensemble narrative spanning multiple generations, from Ok-nam’s advanced age to Dong-min’s youth, with Jeong-mi’s work as a bit-part actress providing part of her individual background.

The film’s focus is personal and domestic rather than event-driven: its central conflict begins with Cheol-taek’s diagnosis and extends through the connected lives of his relatives. Beyond that setup, the supplied information does not specify particular tonal, visual or structural choices.

Cast and creative team

Ki Joo-bong plays Cheol-taek, the welding engineer at the center of the story. Ha Yoon-kyung portrays his daughter Jeong-mi, while Yang Mal-bok plays Hyun-sook. Won Mi-won appears as Ok-nam, Kim Jong-goo as Kwan-taek and Kim Ha-eon as Dong-min.

The supporting cast includes Seung Eui-yeol as Jae-il, Yun Hyun-ju as Yang-ja, Yoon Tae-hee as Shin-ja and Seo In-soo as Jae-in. Jeong Seung-o is credited as both director and writer.

• Ki Joo-bong as Cheol-taek
• Ha Yoon-kyung as Jeong-mi
• Yang Mal-bok as Hyun-sook
• Won Mi-won as Ok-nam
• Kim Jong-goo as Gwan-taek
• Kim Ha-eon as Dong-min
• Seung Eui-yeol as Jae-il
• Yun Hyun-ju as Yang-ja
• Yoon Tae-hee as Shin-ja
• Seo In-soo as Jae-in

Release and production context

Coming of Age is listed as a South Korean production from Indiestory, with Korean as its spoken language. It is scheduled for release on September 16, 2026, and is listed with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. The film’s original Korean title is 철들 무렵.

Production companies: Indiestory

Movies Dock view

Coming of Age places a terminal cancer diagnosis at the center of a family drama and traces its effect across several generations. With Jeong Seung-o handling both writing and direction, the film is defined by its ensemble of relatives and its focus on the relationships surrounding Cheol-taek.

Film data:
TMDB