Reviews

Just like the classic Kmovies

20th Century Girl (2022)

This movie reminds me of classic Korean movies in the early 2000s like Ditto, The Classic, Lover's Concerto etc about friends, youth, falling in love, and sad endings. I kinda guessed that Bora got mixed up with who Hyunjin was, since she didnt have a picture and it was hard when there were no cellphone cameras back then. Watching the movie I thought Hyunjin dodnt look THAT handsome for Yeondoo to fall in love that quick and turns out I was right ?

I love the girls' friendship, they were willing to sacrifice or let go of love for the other person. My only comment is I wished they showed a little more of what really happened to Woonho, not just one scene with the younger brother. I thought if we were still in the 2000s we will get a full heartbreaking scene where he was supposed to fly to Seoul but had a car accident and they couldn't meet in the airport or a terminal illness he hid from Bora or any other tragic ending that will make people cry.

Rating: 8.5

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This was insane

What the actual f did i just watched??! This was on another level, i heard that people were saying this was hard core but i never expected this. Tbh i was quite scared to even start watching this bc i knew this movie had really heavy topics that could get people triggered really easily but i really didn't expect this. I had to pause so many times to just let my brain process what i just saw bc it was insane, i could kinda see what was the message people who made the script wanted to give out to the world and i think their message kinda got to people but still this is definitely not for everybody, i even thought there for a second that im just gonna drop this movie bc it was a bit too much for me but i knew if i drop it now i will definitely never continue watching it so i somehow managed to finish it, i will definitely never rewatch this. Also actors did such an amazing job with portraying the characters it was actually insane.

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in short - wonderful

Very sad but in some ways also uplifting. Reminded me so much of my own times, recognising myself in both roles. So perhaps a series/movie for those who are being introspective.

Beautifully shot, great photography and this is perhaps the movie's greatest success. Sadly some of these shots linger a little too long and some are repeated more than once. Better seen in the movie version for this reason alone. Even so, the story is told as much by these visual shots than the acting out of the story.

An unusual plot for BL drama and a breakaway from traditional forms. The love is there from the outset and there is no chasing or feeling of unrequited love - though this is not expressed in any sexual way at the outset as this is very much a drama of innocence shattered instead. Ultimately the two leads come together and love is requited without undue drama.

A very interesting and technically beautiful series/movie.

In short, wonderful. Thank you

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Better than Expected

It’s was actually pretty good. Not what I was expecting from a movie centered around a kpop group’s concept. The acting was good enough to keep me interested in the storyline. Though I would like to know what role that little girl plays since she’s not a part of P1H??

Rewatch: possibly wouldn’t rewatch because it’s b an extended concept video
Story: interesting, but I wish it was completely

Acting: good for rookies especially idols who haven’t even debuted yet.

Music: usually I pay attention to the vibes of the music or the lyrics, but I wasn’t really focused on it. It meshed well with the scenes they were played in.

Someone else’s review on Viki said the MVs don’t conclude the ending, which sucks cause that’s what you’d expect for these concept videos. I’m not really one to do research and spot Easter eggs in MVs either, so I guess I’ll just be confused.
I wonder how much money FNC spent for the cgi, props, and actors cause not all of the familiar faces were from the company?

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Sigh!

Read all the reviews and had a fair idea of the sister and ending yet had to watch this for the leads.
I'm obviously a romcom venturer so could not give up on a movie with the ML.
I wonder what kind of a life he has with looks like that. He's just stunning to look at plus the intensity in his expression can flutter the hearts of women stepping into their graves. They could use his picture to revive women suffering heart beats.

Didn't care about the sister nonsense, but the story and romance are great.

Inconclusive endings are irritating in romance - think about it - we watch this genre for slurpy schweeet moments, so it's unfair that the end of the slurpee has a pebble that cracks our tooth and bites our cheek.

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There is a level of stupidity even horror movies should not cross - they crossed it.

Kind of a Paranormal Activity meets The Exorcist, but worse. It did not have the fun campy feeling as paranormal activity had. Neither was it able to create the atmosphere The Exorcist delivered. Kind of all over the place, with a bit too exaggerated plot. I simply feel like they tried way too hard on this. It was also unnecessarily gross.

The things the possessed girl did were so over the top I could not stop laughing. At times it felt like a poor attempt at a dark parody movie. The level of stupidity of other characters? Unimaginable. I could have excused it, if the main lady was not literally a professional shaman - she should have known better. All these characters could easily achieve Darwin’s Award. They truly contributed to human evolution by removing themselves out of the gene pool of that fictional world.

I mean, when the movie tries to tell you a person can be possessed by the grass, you know this is going to be a crack ride. Sadly… it was not even silly entertaining - the movie dragged so much I could not even finish it in one sitting. It’s disappointing, because I actually enjoyed the first 40 minutes.

I don’t really have that much to say about the movie. It was so stupid I feel like I have to restart my brain.

It was pretty though. Quite a few screenshots taken.

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He remembers

It's quite a straightforward premise but the attention to details is simply unbelievable, the plot is really precise from the start till the end, taking audiences onto the journey of a man's last mission. The intention of the protagonist unfolds just like him remembering his past as he latches onto the next target, with action sequences that will blow minds. As always Lee Sung Min never disappoints with his masterful class acting, but the more surprised performance from Nam Joo Hyuk really steals the scene a lot, the chemistry between them works so well it just makes the closing scene highly emotional, exactly like how a bittersweet remembrance should be.

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its a puzzle with a vastly different picture from the pieces

this is really interesting. its been sometime since i watch something that keep me on the edge of my chair, wondering what the hell is this, where is this going, who is who, whats the story supposed to be, only to be met with the most hilarious revelation and cracked the longest laugh i have in the long while.
.............but that is not the end just yet, theres still some 'miracle' waiting for you at the end of it all.

all in all, really interesting POV and build-up, and as i wrote in my prev post, possibly one of the greatest elaborate prank of a twist.

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A very sweet movie

I've never written a review but I wanted to talk about this movie. I think I had a bit higher hopes than what I experienced, but I'm not too upset about it.

My biggest issue with the plot is the cliche "I'm leaving you to protect you" thing. I hate it, a lot. Probably a pet peeve of mine and doesn't bother others as much, but yeah. At least it's not a huge portion of the run time.

Another thing is the message. From my understanding the message is about loving people not for looks but for what is inside. But I feel like they only show her interacting with very handsome men when it comes to anything relationship wise.

Obviously I am NOT asking for her to kiss really old men, children, grandmas, etc. I understand that would just be uncomfortable, and in this hypothetical relationship there would be days where any intimacy comes to a screeching halt.

But why not more intimacy with average men? Women? There are definitely some scenes with that, like her holding his cheeks in that one scene. And most importantly the kisses she shares with women at the end! That was a nice surprise. You might even count the encounter with him as a Japanese woman.

But at the same time, I understand depicting something that looks like same sex love can be hard to get permission to do (especially in 2015 i would assume?) and this seems like, overall, a simple and easy to digest film.

Also, perhaps the impact was saved for that final montage right before the credits roll. I loved it so much! That part definitely singlehandedly raised my rating of the show. It was just so sweet.

The female lead is just so beautiful. I think their romance is depicted well, both of them feeling like they just clicked. I got the sense both of them had a very... romantic taste? Like the music they enjoyed, their sense for furniture. I think they meshed well without them having to spell out "he likes her because [__] and vice versa".

I also felt really bad for both of them at certain points. I felt sad he could never form connections, but later I felt sad that she was going through so much. Of course I was frustrated with them at points too, but I'm always like that. And it was never too bad.

Overall I would reccomend it. It definitely didn't feel 2 hours long to me. It was sweet and left me in a good mood. A very warm feeling movie!

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"On a rainy day, listen to the rain. Savor the moment with all five senses, with your whole body. On a snowy day, look at the snow. In summer, feel its heat. In winter, the freezing cold. 'Every day a good day.' So that's what it means!"

I do appreciate it when a film does not rely on emotional manipulation techniques to transmit a heartfelt stimulation. The emotions provoked are more genuine and authentic, rather than forced and assaulting. I do despise it when a film forces a melodrama only for the sake of breaking a heart, without having your soul or innermost being be moved.

This film is like the former for me. It didn't break neither moved my heart, but it really spoke to me: quiet, delicate, but so profound. This was a walking still life: food, nature, almost rugged, yet, so mellow. You might shed a tear or two not because you felt emotional nor understood, but because you can somehow learn a simple thing about life. It is not about being understood, but acquiring some understanding that evokes the greatest humanity inside of us.

Instead of the film displaying a hyperbole of feelings, the rhythm of rain weighed heavier as it climaxed. The wraiths of wisdom wrung by the waterfall—don't read the characters (letters); see them as pictures. The rottenness and fruitfulness of her romances were portrayed rather vaguely. We have never seen the facade of her lovers neither the redness of a relationship, but we have witnessed the unaffected train leaving her in her sombre solitude; the heat of the sun callously flooding her room in the depth of her depression; and the warmth of the sun finally embracing the entirety of her cheek as she walked with her newfound love.

Science says that water possesses negative ions that enhance mental and emotional health. Even spiritual notions hold water as a vital healing matter. As such, we could see from the film how water affected the characters, especially Noriko. She always found herself in the sea, the river stream, or even drinking from a sōzu (water fountain) during the toughest times of her life. As if the flowing waters spoke for her when she could not find the words or exact expression to expound what she thinks or feels.

The epilogue scene was New Year's day. In spite of the numerous times that the winter season was shown or talked about in the film, this is the only time that falling and covered snow was in sight. There was only rain and sunshine before, but now she has snow. As the new year changed, the old seasons withered away and Noriko has changed as well, except for one thing, she still goes to Tea every Saturday.

Noriko was portrayed to be slow and almost overly analytical. Perhaps, inside her mind was where her real world was. Though, learning about tea has changed her as a person; and now each time she could not find life, going to the teahouse gave her renewal and refreshment.

"By teaching, you are taught."


"Perhaps, my real beginning comes now."

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Dark, Dreamlike, and Unrelenting

This is a film about a lot of things: trauma, sexual and social violence, love, desire, and the power of words and music both to injure and to heal. The camerawork, acting, soundtrack, and narrative are all unique and top notch, and I suspect those who wanted a happy ending simply didn't care about the film's central aim, which is illuminating the lasting psychological toll that society can have on those who are vulnerable or simply different.

That said, there are plenty of moments of tenderness and beauty throughout it all. It's not for the faint of heart, but it's worth a watch for anyone who wants to experience a surreal ode to the power of music, language, and love in a brutal world.

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A Great Adaptation

This was recommended to me and I am glad to say that I enjoyed this one a lot. It also inspired me to read the manga & I have to say that is honestly a really good adaptation. One of the best I've seen. There were scenes and dialogue taken directly from the source material. It is brilliantly done.

I love that the misunderstanding & their awkwardness were understandable. It was not just a weird plot device, it was a well written plot point. It was written in such a way that you actually understood where they were both coming from & it made sense.

Also for some reason it looks like it was shot in the 1980s and not 2015/16?

Anyways, it was really good and I recommend it.

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A great adaptation

This was recommended to me and I am glad to say that I enjoyed this one a lot. It also inspired me to read the manga & I have to say that is honestly a really good adaptation. One of the best I've seen. There were scenes and dialogue taken directly from the source material. It is brilliantly done.

I love that the misunderstanding & their awkwardness were understandable. It was not just a weird plot device, it was a well written plot point. It was written in such a way that you actually understood where they were both coming from & it made sense.

Also for some reason it looks like it was shot in the 1980s and not 2015/16?

Anyways, it was really good and I recommend it.

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Aggravating and a bit confusing

This movie is one of those who made me feel a lot of anger and frustration partly because society sucks, partly because of the way they chose to show that society sucks... While they did a great job showing the obstacles set by society as well as internalised homophobia and kids can be ***. I found part of the story telling glitchey and a bit lacking. This could be intentional or could be due to budget or issues with the editing causing this very important movie to loose a few points and not live up to its full potential. As I felt that there was just so much left unsaid. While other scenes just felt unnecessary.

That said I do think this is a story that needs to be told, as they do bring up a lot of angles that rarely get space in media about the complexity of issues regarding rule of law, vs rule of society. For example they talk about the how gaining the right to wed will on the one hand give same sex couples the same lawful rights as hetero couples, however registering that marriage will make way to new problems such as having ones kid. stamped as part of a gay family forever... Is it okay to let ones kid stand in the frontline in a not so inclusive society?

So while I do appreciate the issues seen, I am not 100% sure about how they went about showing them... making me settle for an 8 star rating, so yes watch it but beware it is not perfect and will probably aggravate you for more than one reason.

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