{
  "id": 1237198,
  "title": "Vertical-format drama 'Father's Home-Cooked Meals' to hit theaters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/vertical-format-drama-fathers-home-cooked-meals-to-hit-theaters",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T09:07:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/20260816/vertical-format-drama-fathers-home-cooked-meals-to-hit-theaters"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korean filmmaker Lee Joon-ik's latest short-form drama, titled \"Father's Home-Cooked Meals,\" will debut in theaters prior to its digital release, making it the initial short-form drama to receive theatrical screening, according to Lezhin Snack. This marks Lee's debut as a director of a short-form drama, featuring an ensemble cast comprising Jung Jin-young, Lee Jung-eun, and Byun Yo-han. Short-form dramas are characterized by their brevity and vertical-screen format, typically consumed on smartphones. The theatrical release of \"Father's Home-Cooked Meals\" is anticipated to provide viewers with a distinct viewing experience. The film revolves around Ha-eung, a father who has devoted 40 years to anticipating home-cooked meals three times a day. When his wife Soon-ae falls ill and becomes unable to cook, Ha-eung takes on the responsibility of preparing meals for the first time in his life. His clumsy culinary endeavors disrupt the familiar routines of family life in a lighthearted manner. Adapted from the webtoon of the same name by Gorita, \"Father's Home-Cooked Meals\" has garnered significant attention since Lee's involvement, as it marks his first foray into the short-form drama genre.",
  "summary": "Korean director Lee Joon-ik’s new short-form drama \"Father’s Home-Cooked Meals\" will be released in theaters before its digital release, marking the first time a short-form drama has received a theatrical release, Lezhin Snack announced Thursday. The project marks Lee’s first foray into directing a short-form drama and features a star-studded cast including Jung Jin-young, Lee Jung-eun and Byun…",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Father's Home-Cooked Meals\" will debut theatrically before digital release.",
    "Directed by Lee Joon-ik, an ensemble cast includes Jung Jin-young and Byun Yo-han.",
    "Lighthearted story follows a father learning to cook for his ill wife."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Vertical-format drama 'Father's Home-Cooked Meals' to hit theaters",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/vertical-format-drama-fathers-home-cooked-meals-to-hit-theaters-1238800",
        "published": "2026-08-16T09:17:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}