The classic everyone talks about
Watched this movie for the first time, and I must say I really enjoyed it. It's actually a really fun romcom with a backstory I didn't expect to make me so emotional. I can understand why some people might not like it or have different opinions but I think that if you don't take it too seriously and just try to have a good time it's really worth it. The chemistry was great, with a perfect performance from Jun Jihyun as I expected. As I said, I know it might be somewhat controversial for some people but if you have this movie on your watchlist I think you should give it a try.Was this review helpful to you?
Brilliant casting and brutal content
There honestly isn’t much I need to say about VIP except that it was a great watch. With a cast this strong, I wasn’t even surprised that it turned out as good as it did. The performances are intense and everyone plays their role so good that the tension never drops for a second.That being said, I need to give a serious warning!!!!!
If you’re planning to watch this movie, please know that it contains multiple scenes involving sexual assault in extreme gore tones. The violence is not subtle. It’s graphic, disturbing, and at times very difficult to sit through. I personally had to look away several times because some scenes were that intense.
This isn’t a casual thriller you put on for entertainment. It’s dark, brutal, and emotionally heavy. So if you’re sensitive to graphic violence or SA themes, please take that into consideration before watching.
But purely from a filmmaking and acting standpoint, it delivers exactly what it sets out to do; unsettling, gripping, and powerful.
Was this review helpful to you?
Love and Grief are 2 sides of the same coin
Pavane seems like a romance themed movie, but is more than that. It deals with loneliness, loss,grief and fear of failure in life.The story centers around 3 characters - Yo-Han, Mi Jeong and Gyeong Ruk. While they seem pretty content with each other, there personal life has some struggles too.
The first act - romance between Gyeong-rok and Mi-jeong does not arrive with fireworks or dramatic confessions because this film understands that people who feel undesirable don’t flirt like normal humans. Their connection grows through small glances, long pauses, and the shared exhaustion of knowing they do not fit society’s idea of a perfect couple, which somehow makes their relationship feel more intimate than any cinematic grand gesture ever could.
The second half feels kind of rushed, with too many things that occur within a short period of time. The sudden loss of a character does felt shocking, although it was too abrupt. The secondary characters were of no impact and is the most conerning part of the movie. The film passes on a strong message though - Cherish what you have now, rather than regretting what it would become later.
Overall, the film is visually great, music is compelling and the aesthetics are catchy. While the pacing was inconsistent, the ending and the message it leaves gives a mixed vibe of 'getting hurt but moving on'.
A good-watch that pulls you towards the characters and their story.
My Rating : 3.5/5
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
still waiting for my soul to catch up
i went into this totally blind and im so happy i did... i saw it pop up on streaming having never heard of it and decided to give it a try i may have cried a little (or a lot) it reminded me a lot of the drama adaptation of love in the big city but i was surprised to find out this is the same director as escape which after sitting on it i can totally see 100% recommend watching the moviedo be warned tho the actors dress in native american traditional clothes i can see why they did it like it makes sense for the story but it doesn't sit right with me but take that with a grain of salt because im not native would've been a five star had they not dress in native clothing
(original review written by me on letterboxd)
Was this review helpful to you?
Doloroso
Empecé a ver está película sin expectativas y amé cada de segundo de la historia y de los personajes, me rompieron y me reconstruyeron en el camino, y lloré muchísimo con el final. La vida es un suspiro, no tengamos miedo de amar, de ser, de vivir, de estar y de involucrarnos, tal vez mañana ya no haya mas tiempo para aprender, experimentar o equivocarse, vivamos en una revolución constante de nuestra identidad, conozcamos a otros y abracemos a otros. Gracias Lee Jong-pil por dirigir esta maravilla, y gracias a los actores por interpretar personajes tan maravillosos❤️🩹Was this review helpful to you?
wasted potential and casting
honestly i feel like we were all expecting smthing great considering how amazing both han sohee and jeo jeonseo were in my name and ballerina. so many people have been hoping for them to act in a series or movie togeather.i absolutely loved the casting and the acting. but the plot was all over the place. and I feel very sad about that cus this could've been one of THE best kmovies to exist with both these actresses. the characters were all over the place with no proper back stories or links to them. there wasn't enough explanation regarding any of the characters including the main characters. I was really looking forward to this movie :(Was this review helpful to you?
beautiful story in between lines
Honestly, it’s not a film for everyone. It’s very poetic, slow, and I’d say more for those who appreciate indie-style films. The cinematography was beautiful.The plot is beautiful. And their youth love story is filled with so many glittering moments. It shines on the fact that others can really see the light within us and usually those are the ones who want to be close to us romantically or as friends.
Obviously this turns into ktrauma, the trailer says it all. But it’s still worth the watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
triste, mas poético
Eu comecei Pavana achando que seria só mais um romance lento para preencher catálogo. Terminei com o coração apertado — e grata por ter dado play.Desde os primeiros minutos, o filme deixa claro que não está interessado em fantasia. Ele habita um mundo ligeiramente desalinhado da realidade: pessoas subempregadas, solitárias, vivendo rotinas repetitivas como se estivessem pedindo desculpas por existir. O cenário principal — uma loja de departamento — funciona quase como uma fábrica de repressão emocional. Ali, Gyeong-rok estaciona carros enquanto tenta convencer a si mesmo de que dançar ainda é um sonho possível. Mi-jeong trabalha no subsolo, como se a sociedade tivesse decidido colocá-la literalmente abaixo da superfície. E Yo-han flutua entre eles, carismático, socialmente aceito, mas com aquela solidão silenciosa de quem é admirado sem ser verdadeiramente conhecido.
O romance entre Gyeong-rok e Mi-jeong não explode em declarações épicas. Ele nasce de silêncios longos, olhares hesitantes e da identificação entre duas pessoas que não se enxergam como “escolhíveis”. É um amor que não promete cura mágica, apenas companhia. Não é amor de conto de fadas — é amor de sobrevivência. É quase como se dissessem: “Você também se sente deslocado? Então fica. Vamos ser inadequados juntos.”
Mi-jeong é o coração emocional do filme. E o mais bonito é que o roteiro se recusa a transformá-la para torná-la digna de amor. Não há glow-up, não há redenção estética. Há vulnerabilidade, há dor, há a crueldade de comentários sobre aparência — e há resistência. Ela continua existindo. Continua tentando. Isso é radical. Go Ah-sung entrega uma atuação contida, quase como alguém que respira com cuidado para não desmoronar. Você sente o peso que ela carrega mesmo quando ela não diz nada.
Gyeong-rok, interpretado por Moon Sang-min, é o tipo de homem que ama, mas não sabe traduzir isso em ações claras. Ele é gentil, mas emocionalmente analfabeto. Hesita. Erra. Frustra. E exatamente por isso parece real. Não é um CEO rico salvando ninguém. Não é um príncipe. É só um homem comum tentando não estragar algo raro.
Visualmente, o filme aposta em cores apagadas, uma atmosfera quase vintage, e uma fotografia que transforma estacionamentos subterrâneos em metáforas óbvias — mas eficazes — de vidas vividas fora dos holofotes. Os cortes são rápidos, secos, às vezes abruptos. Isso pode soar estranho para quem espera fluidez tradicional, mas funciona. Dá a sensação de que a vida não oferece transições suaves; ela simplesmente muda de cena.
Sim, o roteiro é previsível em alguns pontos. E ainda assim… não é. Porque o impacto emocional não está no “o que acontece”, mas em “como acontece”. O final pode doer. Pode deixar aquela sensação de algo inacabado. Mas talvez essa seja justamente a intenção. Nem todo amor veio para durar para sempre — alguns vêm para nos ensinar que fomos, sim, capazes de ser escolhidos.
Eu amo filmes melancólicos. E Pavana entende que melancolia não é sinônimo de autopiedade. É reflexão. É delicadeza. É a compreensão de que viver com arrependimento pesa mais do que viver com cicatriz.
Esse não é um filme sobre finais felizes. É um filme sobre presença. Sobre amar enquanto é possível. Sobre dizer agora. Sobre não deixar flores para depois.
Ele não é extravagante. Não tem arco-íris, transformação mágica ou protagonistas idealizados. Pode parecer “chato” para quem precisa de espetáculo. Mas é justamente essa simplicidade crua que o torna tão bonito.
Pavana é para quem ainda acredita no amor — não no amor perfeito, mas no amor possível. E às vezes, o possível é o mais corajoso de todos.
Was this review helpful to you?
Silly and tragic, I should have watched this earlier.
hhihihihihihiihihihihiiiiiiiihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiihhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiihi
hhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Oh shit, its kinda gay (literally why I watched this)
Was this review helpful to you?
What if…the Prince and Cinderella did not live happily ever after…
This is a story about love but not in the tragic, self-pitying way that many “sad” love stories tend to portray. In fact, I don’t see it as a sad story at all. To me, it’s a lesson. A reminder that when you find the right person, you hold on even if things don’t ultimately work out. Living with regret is far more painful than learning from a mistake.The film is beautifully written. Like Cinderella, life does not always promise a fairy-tale ending. What matters is not the ending, but the journey shared together. It may not deliver the kind of happy conclusion most viewers expect, yet it leaves you with something deeper and more meaningful.
I don’t usually gravitate toward melancholic stories, but this one moved me in a different way. It celebrates friendship, connection, and the importance of cherishing relationships while they are still present. As my father once told me, “Don’t give me flowers when I’m dead.” That wisdom resonates deeply here. Appreciate people now. Love them now. Say what needs to be said now.
This film gently reminds this generation to brace for the future but more importantly, to live fully in the present.
Moon Sang-min may not yet be as globally recognized as some Korean stars, but he absolutely holds his own as a leading man. I felt every layer of his character — the pain, the joy, the laughter, and ultimately, the gratitude. His performance was sincere and grounded. The three main characters beautifully acted their roles.
And to Netflix, thank you for continuing to showcase meaningful stories. Not everything needs extravagant production to leave a lasting impact. Sometimes, content and heart are more than enough.
Was this review helpful to you?
How a rumor can destroy someone's life.
Be aware that I have only watched the part called "The Rumor"Donghae's performance was utterly captivating and nothing short of flawless. I found myself completely mesmerised by his character; his portrayal was extremely compelling but also brilliantly showed on screen, the way that he gets more and more obsessed with the rumour is just wow. Every nuance of his performance drew me in, making it an unforgettable experience, the plot and the suspense build up and music is placed in really well too No complaints what so ever it was great. I find myself oddly relieved that this wild roller coaster of emotions lasted only 30 minutes. The way it concluded at that moment leaves me with a mix of exhilaration and apprehension. The aftermath is bound to be a storm of chaos in its own right, and now, I’m left without any means to witness it unfold. Oh boy, that experience was truly intense! And am I Glad I watched it and finished it it was really a wild wild ride.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Finding Your Line: A Quiet Japanese Gem Worth Discovering
I actually stumbled across The Lines That Define Me after spotting the poster on JFF Theatre’s social media. It wasn’t even what I planned to watch that day — but 20 minutes in, I was completely hooked and couldn’t look away.Released in 2022, the film is directed by Norihiro Koizumi, with a screenplay by Sho Kataoka and Koizumi himself, adapted from the novel Sen wa, Boku wo Egaku by Hiromasa Togami. It was distributed in Japan by Toho.
The story follows university student Sōsuke Aoyama (played by Ryusei Yokohama), who is quietly carrying the weight of a devastating personal loss. While working part-time at an art gallery, he encounters traditional Japanese sumi-e (ink wash) painting — and something inside him shifts. That moment leads him to study under master artist Kozan Shinoda (portrayed by Tomokazu Miura), where art slowly becomes a pathway to healing. Along the way, he meets Chiaki (played by Kaya Kiyohara), Kozan’s granddaughter, who is wrestling with her own insecurities as an artist.
I’ll be honest — Japanese live-action films aren’t always at the top of my watch list (anime is a different story entirely). But there was something about this one that pulled me in. And I’m genuinely glad it did.
At its heart, this is a coming-of-age drama about grief, identity, and finding meaning through art. It’s quiet and intentionally paced. It doesn’t force emotion or rely on melodrama. Instead, it lets feelings unfold naturally — like ink spreading across paper. The storytelling is simple, but that simplicity is its strength.
Ryusei Yokohama delivers a beautifully restrained performance. His Sōsuke feels real — burdened, withdrawn, but slowly rediscovering life stroke by stroke. Kaya Kiyohara brings depth to Chiaki, capturing the pressure of living in a legacy while trying to define your own voice. Their dynamic feels grounded and human — not overly romanticised, just honest.
What struck me most is how the film treats sumi-e not just as an art form, but as a metaphor for life. Black ink. Water. Space. No erasing. Every line stays. The message is clear: you have to find your own line — and then use it to draw yourself.
The cinematography is understated but beautiful. The performances are pitch-perfect. Even the quiet humour, particularly from Kozan, adds warmth without undercutting the emotional weight. And the final scene? Genuinely satisfying and quietly powerful.
This film believes something simple yet profound — that we are not finished products. We are unfinished lines, constantly reshaped by loss, love, and choice. Healing isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s just showing up every day and picking up the brush again.
If you’re worried it might be a “boring art film,” don’t be. It’s more than art. It’s about life itself. Beautiful, reflective, therapeutic, and surprisingly moving.
A well-hidden Japanese gem that deserves far more attention.
Was this review helpful to you?
short and cute
it's a short bl movie but leaves you with fluffly and warm feelings, so i do love it.cute , adorable is the best way to describe this one.
it's simple, available for free on Youtube and doesn't feel like a waste of time so in my opinion in the end it was worth it.
the official link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVNzrGvEZxY
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Beautiful and Sad
I was expecting this to have a similar atmosphere to something like Dream Songs but it wasn't as hazy or dreamlike and I think it would've done this some good to borrow those aspects from Dream Songs. Ah, that's a bad note to start this on. Anyways, this is the story of a girl searching through another world for her best friend. It was a lot more sad and heart wrenching than I expected. The way it depicts depression reminded me really of something like Love for Love's Sake or Love in the Big City. Absolutely not a happy ending so if you're strict about only watching things that end happily, this is a skip.However, if you're ok with sad endings and heavy topics, I would say it's worth a watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
