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Love Reset (2023) Plot Summary & Timeline

Love Reset (2023) movie poster

Love Reset is a 2023 romance and comedy film directed by Nam Dae-joong and Kim Jin-man, running 1 hour 59 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 419 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 14 key events in order, 7 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Love Reset.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
14
characters profiled
7
themes explained
3
Love Reset (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m
Directors
Nam Dae-joong and Kim Jin-man
Genres
Romance, Comedy
Original language
Korean
Studio
Mindmark
No spoilers

What Is Love Reset About?

The premise of Love Reset in 301 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra stand at the bitter finish line of a marriage that has lost all its luster. After years of clashing values, family interference, and deep-seated resentment, they have finally agreed to part ways, viewing each other not as partners, but as sources of constant irritation. Their relationship has deteriorated to the point where a courtroom seems like the only place left to resolve their differences, setting the stage for a definitive end to their shared history.

However, destiny has one last, chaotic curveball to throw. On the very day they intend to finalize their separation, a violent car accident intervenes, leaving them physically unharmed but mentally reset. In a stroke of peculiar irony, the crash erases every memory they have of one another. The spouse they loathed, the years of arguments, and the reasons for their divorce vanish entirely, leaving them as strangers bound by a life they no longer recall.

Thrust into a bewildering reality, the couple is placed under the watchful eyes of their families, who scramble to restore the lost recollections. While the relatives hope that recalling their troubled past will allow the divorce to proceed as planned, the couple faces a different truth entirely. Stripped of their animosity and left with only a strange, shared domesticity, Jeong-yeol and Na-ra begin to navigate a life they don’t remember building.

What follows is a journey of rediscovery that challenges everyone’s expectations. As the amnesia shields them from old wounds, the spark that initially brought them together begins to flicker back to life, turning a messy breakup into an unexpected second chance. The situation creates a delightful tension between the families’ desire for a resolution and the couple’s budding romance, begging the question of whether restoring the past is truly the best outcome for their future.

Full plot

What Happens in Love Reset?

The complete story of Love Reset, from the first scene to the last, in 419 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

No Jeong-yeol (Kang Ha-neul) spends the day of his six-year relationship’s breakup drowning his sorrows with friends at his close companion’s bar, where the mood shifts from bleak to stubborn resolve. Amid the turmoil, a door opens and Hong Na-ra (Jung So-min) bursts in—the bride-to-be who has also fled her own ceremony to confront the man she’s about to marry. What begins as a chaotic encounter gradually clarifies their feelings for one another, and against heavy odds they decide to marry, despite strong opposition from Na-ra’s father.

Years pass, and the marriage strains under the weight of divergent backgrounds and clashing values. Their lives become a pattern of small betrayals and mounting distrust, rumors of infidelity seeping into both households and workplaces, and a growing inability to stand each other. The couple eventually court divorce, with a court ruling that imposes a 30-day cooling-off period to reconsider their decision.

On the drive away from the courthouse, the argument continues as a truck crashes into their car. Luckily they escape serious harm, but both wake with severe amnesia—memories of each other erased. The hospital director advises preserving the familiar environment to aid memory recovery, so during the cooling-off period No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra must live together under the watch of Na-ra’s younger sister Hong Na-mi (Hwang Se-in).

To spark recollection, their families summon old friends to recount shared moments, and even bring in hypnosis as a memory trigger. As time passes, the couple finds themselves falling back into affection, freed from the animosity that once defined them. They even resume a physical relationship, following the hospital director’s suggestion that physical closeness might stimulate memories.

Yet the memory return is unequal: Jeong-yeol regains his past, while Na-ra’s memories remain elusive. Na-ra decides to study abroad to give herself space, prompting a tense farewell. As No Jeong-yeol packs up with friends, Do Bo-bae appears to share the news of Na-ra’s flight time before leaving. He races to Incheon Airport, hoping to deliver a heartfelt speech and keep her from boarding. But Na-ra, wearing earphones, does not hear him. She says goodbye and leaves.

After the separation, Na-ra returns briefly, explaining that while Jeong-yeol’s memories have recovered, hers have not—and that feels unfair. She suggests they try living together again during this uncertain window, hoping that time and time alone might coax her memories back.

In a quiet, hopeful turn, the two decide to give their complicated romance another chance, choosing to stay connected and let memory gradually catch up with love.

Timeline

Love Reset Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

14 key events in the order they happen, from “Jeong-yeol's drunken attempt to stop the wedding” to “A renewed arrangement to wait for her memories”. 14 events name a place, across 13 locations.

  1. 1

    Jeong-yeol's drunken attempt to stop the wedding

    After breaking up with his girlfriend of six years, No Jeong-yeol spends the day drinking with friends at Ki-bae's bar. He is urged to calm down, yet he storms out determined to stop the wedding. At the moment he leaves, Hong Na-ra arrives in her wedding gown, having fled the ceremony to intervene.

    When:Wedding day Where:Ki-bae's bar

  2. 2

    They confess their feelings and marry despite opposition

    After acknowledging their true feelings for each other, the couple defies Na-ra's father and proceeds with a marriage. The ceremony solidifies their bond, setting them on a new path together. The opposition from families fades in the face of their commitment.

    When:That day Where:Wedding ceremony

  3. 3

    Years pass; the couple nears divorce

    Over the years, the couple grows apart due to divergent backgrounds and values, leading to constant clashes during family visits. Subtle cracks widen as suspicions of infidelity spread into their workplaces, turning them into people who barely tolerate each other. The relationship hovers on the edge of breakup.

    When:Several years later Where:Home and family visits

  4. 4

    Tensions escalate; the desire to divorce grows

    Their disagreements intensify as they struggle to reconcile different upbringings and values. The strain leaks into both families and their workplaces, eroding trust between them. The couple's environment becomes a battlefield of unresolved resentment.

    When:Leading up to court Where:Home and workplaces

  5. 5

    Court ruling and the 30-day cooling-off period

    They go to court to declare their intention to divorce, setting in motion a mandated 30-day cooling-off period. The judge orders a pause to reexamine their relationship and consider reconciliation. The legal frame isolates them from each other while preserving a glimmer of potential forgiveness.

    When:Day of ruling Where:Courthouse

  6. 6

    Car crash and amnesia

    While driving home from the courthouse, a truck collides with their vehicle, leaving both unharmed physically but with memory loss focused on their relationship. Doctors explain that recovering memories may depend on preserving their familiar environment. The accident reshapes the path of their cooling-off period.

    When:Immediately after the ruling Where:On the road; hospital

  7. 7

    Living together during the cooling-off period

    During the 30-day cooling-off period, the couple ends up living together under the watch of Na-ra's younger sister, Hong Na-mi. The hospital's advice is to maintain a stable environment to aid memory recovery. Their daily routines become a test of whether love can return without memory of past resentments.

    When:During the 30-day cooling-off period Where:Na-ra's sister's home

  8. 8

    Memory-recall efforts by family and friends

    Parents gather the couple's friends to recount shared memories and trigger recollection, while a hypnotic attempt is tried to recall past experiences. These sessions aim to reconstruct a past they can't fully access. The hospital director suggests that keeping their living environment stable is key to recovery.

    When:During the cooling-off period Where:Hospital and family homes

  9. 9

    Romance rekindled as memories return

    As some memories begin to surface, Jeong-yeol and Na-ra start to fall in love again and even resume a physical relationship. Their renewed affection grows within the context of their amnesia, offering a glimmer of a second chance. The absence of resentment helps soften old defenses.

    When:During the cooling-off period Where:Shared living space

  10. 10

    Jeong-yeol's memories return; Na-ra's do not

    Jeong-yeol regains his memories, but Na-ra's memory remains absent, leaving an unsettling imbalance. Na-ra decides she needs time and space, choosing to study abroad to focus on recovery. The couple's dynamic shifts again as memory gaps threaten their future.

    When:During cooling-off period Where:Home

Show the other 4 events of Love Reset
  1. 11

    Na-ra prepares to leave; Bo-bae informs departure

    Bo-bae reveals Na-ra's flight departure time, prompting Jeong-yeol to hurry to the airport. The impending separation tests the fragile bond built during their amnesia. The moment underscores the fragility of memory and commitment.

    When:Just before departure Where:Home / Incheon Airport

  2. 12

    Airport moment

    Jeong-yeol reaches the airport and delivers a heartfelt speech, trying to hold Na-ra back. She is wearing earphones and does not hear him, and they share a quiet, unresolved goodbye as she boards the plane. The scene marks a pivotal fork in their relationship.

    When:Departure time Where:Incheon Airport

  3. 13

    Na-ra reappears and proposes a compromise

    After their separation, Na-ra reappears and explains that Jeong-yeol's memories have returned while hers have not. She expresses that this feels unfair and proposes a plan to live together again until her memories return. The suggestion rekindles a cautious hope between them.

    When:Post-separation Where:City apartment

  4. 14

    A renewed arrangement to wait for her memories

    They agree to live together again during the waiting period for Na-ra's memories to return, hoping the past love can reemerge with time. The ending centers on a bittersweet balance between memory loss and enduring affection. The couple's future remains uncertain but their commitment persists.

    When:Post-separation Where:Home

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Love Reset?

7 characters, among them Jeong-yeol (Kang Ha-neul), Hong Na-ra (Jung So-min) and Ki-bae (Yoon Kyung-ho): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • J(

    Jeong-yeol (Kang Ha-neul)

    Played by Kang Ha-neul

    A passionate, impulsive man whose heartbreak drives him to crash his former fiancée's wedding. His stubborn devotion masks deep warmth and loyalty, and he fights to reclaim a place in Na-ra's life even as memory walls emerge.

    • 💔 Impulsive
    • 🎯 Determined
    • ❤️ Romantic
  • HN

    Hong Na-ra (Jung So-min)

    Played by Jung So-min

    A strong-willed, principled woman torn between love and family expectations. Her later memory loss tests her ability to forgive and re-commit, revealing vulnerability beneath a confident exterior.

    • 💪 Strong-willed
    • 🎭 Proud
    • 💖 Compassionate
  • K(

    Ki-bae (Yoon Kyung-ho)

    Played by Yoon Kyung-ho

    Jeong-yeol's close friend who anchors the duo's social world. He provides blunt advice and steadfast support, often catalyzing the events that drive the plot forward.

    • 🤝 Loyal Friend
    • 🍶 Bar Companion
    • 🧭 Reliable
  • HN

    Hong Na-mi (Hwang Se-in)

    Played by Hwang Se-in

    Na-ra's younger sister and practical observer who helps manage the memory-recovery period. She keeps the family and couple connected as events unfold.

    • 🧭 Grounded
    • 🧸 Caring
    • 👩‍👧 Family-oriented
  • DB

    Do Bo-bae (Cho Min-soo)

    Played by Cho Min-soo

    A friend in the couple's circle who provides information and support, often moving the plot forward with timely insights.

    • 🧩 Helpful
    • 🗣️ Social connector
    • 🕊️ Honest
  • HD

    Hospital Director (Moon Ho-jin)

    Played by Moon Ho-jin

    Administrative, pragmatic head of the hospital who guides the memory-recovery process and endorses therapeutic approaches, including the plan to maintain the same environment.

    • 🎯 Pragmatic
    • 🤝 Collaborative
    • 🏥 Medical authority
  • ED

    ER Doctor (Sim Woo-sung)

    Played by Sim Woo-sung

    Calm, capable ER physician who treats the couple after the crash and comments on the memory complications affecting recovery.

    • 🩺 Professional
    • ⏱️ Calm under pressure
    • 🧠 Medical
Setting

Where and When Is Love Reset Set?

Love Reset is set in South Korea, Incheon Airport, Bar, Courthouse and Hospital (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Present day

Set in contemporary times, the drama follows the aftermath of a hastily married couple during a 30-day cooling-off period. Modern medicine, law and social expectations shape how the characters cope with memory loss and reconciliation. The narrative moves through urban settings and time-sensitive moments at the airport and hospital.

Where

South Korea, Incheon Airport, Bar, Courthouse, Hospital

The story unfolds across modern South Korea, with key scenes in a bar, a courthouse, a hospital and Incheon Airport. The locations reflect the couple's social circle, legal conflict and a medical memory plot. Each place amplifies the emotional stakes as memory and romance collide.

  • 🎬 Korean setting
  • 🏙️ Urban landscape
  • 🗺️ Contemporary life
Themes

What Are the Themes of Love Reset?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Memory and Amnesia, Love and Second Chances and Marriage, Divorce, and Duty.

  1. 01

    Memory and Amnesia

    Memory loss drives the plot, forcing the couple to relearn their past together. Amnesia strips away resentment and forces honest reassessment of their relationship. The process reveals what truly matters beyond remembered conflicts.

  2. 02

    Love and Second Chances

    Forgetting their memories creates a clean slate that rekindles affection. The pair rediscover tenderness while navigating new understandings of each other. The story suggests love can endure and adapt through memory shifts.

  3. 03

    Marriage, Divorce, and Duty

    The cooling-off period and court ruling set the legal frame for their relationship. Family expectations and societal norms complicate decisions about staying together. The narrative explores fairness, commitment, and the price of separation.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Love Reset?

Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Hopeful
Pacing
Steady
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Bittersweet

A hopeful and romantic journey of a couple rediscovering love after amnesia wipes their painful memories, creating a second chance amidst family chaos and uncertainty.

  • romantic
  • hopeful
  • confusing
  • uplifting
  • bittersweet
  • second chance
  • amnesia
  • second chance romance
  • marriage crisis
  • divorce

Content notes: car accident, amnesia.

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Read next

Movies Like Love Reset With a Plot Summary

3 films close to Love Reset in story and themes that have a full plot summary here: What About Love (2024), Love at Second Sight (2019) and Love Happens (2009).

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FAQ

Love Reset Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Love Reset, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Love Reset about?

No Jeong-yeol and Hong Na-ra stand at the bitter finish line of a marriage that has lost all its luster. After years of clashing values, family interference, and deep-seated resentment, they have finally agreed to part ways, viewing each other not as partners, but as sources of constant irritation.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Love Reset take place?

Love Reset is set in South Korea, Incheon Airport, Bar, Courthouse and Hospital (Present day). Set in contemporary times, the drama follows the aftermath of a hastily married couple during a 30-day cooling-off period.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Love Reset?

The story follows Jeong-yeol (Kang Ha-neul) (played by Kang Ha-neul), Hong Na-ra (Jung So-min) (played by Jung So-min), Ki-bae (Yoon Kyung-ho) (played by Yoon Kyung-ho) and Hong Na-mi (Hwang Se-in) (played by Hwang Se-in); the character guide covers 7 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Love Reset?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Memory and Amnesia, Love and Second Chances and Marriage, Divorce, and Duty.

The themes explained

Who directed Love Reset?

Love Reset (2023) was directed by Nam Dae-joong and Kim Jin-man and runs 1 hour 59 minutes.

Nam Dae-joong’s films

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