Reviews

Powerful acting and a story full of meaningful metaphor

I've been holding off to watch this movie and I am so glad that I finally did. I am also flabbergasted that I like this movie.

The best part that I love is the powerful acting for the both leads. They had that charm that you want to keep watching them. Specially, the iconic argument scene. I literally held my breath during that scene. Most serious scene on dramas usually have that tense vibe that feels scripted like a movie. Like it's a scene happening just on dramas but the exchange of lines on this movie, it felt real. I can imagine it happening in real life. Props to the scriptwriter for choosing the right words. (Sorry for non-native Filipino because the English subtitle won't be able to translate the tension and full of emotion of the lines.)

This would be a bit debatable but for me, it wrapped up the movie really well. It is indeed confusing and open-ended however if you analyze like the little clues here and there, you'd be able to realize that it's a very appropriate ending.

Overall, I really really love this movie.

Read More

Predictable plot with almost no character development

Just saw this randomly on Netflix and thought I can give this a try and oh boy was I disappointed. This was really hyped up when it was screening at the cinema (which is not surprising because Marian and DingDong is like 'The Real Life Couple' that can be considered as success and also they are really known as King and Queen of Filipino series)

Plot wise, I just find it really predictable. It's just as I imagined when I watched the trailer. The plot summary basically says it all. I was really preparing myself to cry but no need. I laughed hard instead. From what I know this is heartwarming or a touching story which it is by the way, it's just not impactful as I imagined. The best scene I like from the movie is the scene with Lodz which is not the main point of this movie at all. I also didn't see any character development from the leads, specially the male lead. I thought I'd be super sad and will think that they deserve better but honestly when I saw it I just thought, 'Yup, best outcome indeed. Nothing to cry for, it's just them living their best life.' I can't see any good outcome of the male lead to live continuously, everyone's just better without him.

Anyway, I still think that everyone acted well. Not the best that I've seen but not an eyesore either. Great OST choice 'Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay', I loved this song since it was released and I think it fit perfectly on the theme of the movie.

Overall, not the kind of movie I'd recommend.

Read More

Comfort movie ??

The movie is surely a familiar melodramatic stuff reminiscent of similar films such as “Iris” (2001) and “Still Alice” (2015), but director/writer Jeong Jae-eun handles his story and characters with care and consideration. At one point, the movie makes a little fun of Ryoko’s most famous work which was incidentally inspired by her crumbling relationship with her ex-husband, but it respects her artistic passion and dedication nonetheless, and that is why it is often poignant to watch her struggle to write through whatever is still left inside her mind. Although her relationship with Chan-hae initially looks clichéd, both of them are presented as human characters we can care about, and it is engaging to watch how their relationship is developed along the story.

The lead performers of the movie support the movie well with their good performance. Miho Nakayama, a Japanese actress who has been fondly remembered by many audiences in Japan and South Korea for her charming performance in “Love Letter” (1995), deftly handles a number of obligatory melodramatic moments in the film, and she is fabulous whenever she is required to express a lot of things via her beautiful face. On the opposite, Kim Jae-wook, a South Korean actor who has mainly worked in several South Korean TV dramas, is solid in his understated acting which effectively functions as the solid ground for his co-performer’s showier performance, and, as far as I heard from others, he did a fairly nice job of speaking Japanese with some necessary awkwardness as required.

Although it is not so different from many other neat Japanese melodrama films during recent years, “Butterfly Sleep” distinguishes itself to some degree via its interesting setting and sincere storytelling, and its overall result is both entertaining and touching enough for recommendation. It may be predictable, but this is a well-made movie packed with genuine feelings, and it certainly earns its tears in the end.

Read More

Not meant as a stand-alone movie

Before watching this, you should watch the prequel mini-series to make sense of it. It's really cute, kind of an F4/Boys Over Flowers thing. I watched this first before the prequel and I kept on wishing that the movie would show the reason behind the leads' actions. The movie did show some glimpse of what happened in the prequel but it's not enough. And it's not the film's fault because this is meant to be watched after the series and not as a stand-alone movie.

The actors acted on point and it's really cute and funny once you get the to know the whole story (mini-series + movie). The movie in itself also portrays the brotherly love of 2 friends who had grew up together.

Read More

It was better than I expected

I won't lie. It was better than I thought, in fact I don't trust korean movies they're always randome, but this one , this one surprise me, it was a good slice of life movie with a beautiful plot twist, I truly enjoy it.

In fact, I was going to get mad, but the ending made me relax. For me, I find these kinds of movies useful for daily life. People should be more rational in relationships.

People should stop reading reviews before watching anything. They will definitely affect you no matter what, so make sure to watch first, then see what other people think.

I will absolutely recommend this movie.

Read More

Heartbreaking

I knew what this movie was about going in but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for it. It is an amazing movie, the acting is phenomenal and the cinematography is beautiful, but I felt sick watching it. This movie is very very upsetting and I don’t think any amount of warning will prepare but I will try. This movie includes on screen child abuse and on screen child sexual assault and rape as well as ableism. It is tragic and horrifying. The child actors did so well, I am not certain if they are actually deaf or not but they did an amazing job. Min Su’s “I don’t forgive him” scene was one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever watched in cinema. Those poor children, it is truly horrific that this is based on a true story. Gong Yoo did amazing as did the lead female actress. Overall I would very highly recommend this movie but only if you can emotionally handle it.

Read More

Tragic Ending

Tan Song Yun, my favorite actress, was the main reason I chose to watch this movie. Despite knowing she plays the second lead, I was still drawn to it. The story follows a girl who has faced numerous hardships since childhood, yet she perseveres and continues to live her life. When another girl enters her life and offers her hope, things take a dramatic turn when she discovers that her crush is engaged to her best friend. Despite her feelings, she makes a mistake that changes the lives of all three involved. While most people would distance themselves after such a revelation, she continues to meet him, ultimately leading to their separation as she chooses to prioritize her friendship. To discover the outcome, you'll have to watch the movie. As for the fate of the first lead, it remains uncertain until the end.

Read More

Ending is unclear

The leads were my favorite, which is why I decided to watch the drama. However, since I watched it in 2024, I found it a bit dull. Nonetheless, the story was intriguing. It revolved around a girl who wholeheartedly trusted a boy, and he reciprocated that trust. She considered him her everything, but he also prioritized his friends and interests, causing a rift in their relationship and leading to their breakup. However, the storyline became unclear afterward. It depicted a scene where after two years since their break up he called her to meet , but their meeting scene was brief, with no dialogue exchanged. Instead, it shifted to past scenes, leaving the ending ambiguous. Consequently, I felt like I wasted my time.

Read More

A nice diversion

Im Chang Jung plays a freeloader with a streak of larceny, but overall has a good heart. He keeps running into a wanna be actress from the local bookstore who can't get him to pay his late fees. One night, by a quirk of fate, they meet and witness something that will change their lives.

It was the main cast that made me want to watch this movie, and they delivered. While the pace was pretty good, it's debateable as to whether a few early scenes were needed and could have been cut to improve pacing.

Don't stop watching when the ending credits start!

Read More