K-Movie Recommendation of the month: 20th Century Girl

"Wait just a bit longer. I'll go see you soon. I want to see you, Bora of the 21st century." Woon-ho

A story about friendship, first love, and heartbreaks.

In today’s era of instant messaging and constant online connections, the 2022 South Korean coming-of-age romance '20th Century Girl' invites viewers on a bittersweet journey back to the late 1990s, a time of pagers, mixtapes, and handwritten love notes. Starring Kim Yoo-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, and Roh Yoon-seo, the film follows a spirited high school girl navigating the thrilling and heart-wrenching experiences of first love and unbreakable friendship.

Title: 20th Century Girl

Genre: Romance and Comedy

Streaming Platform: Netflix

Airing Year: 2022

Director: Bang Woo-ri

Writer : Bang Woo-ri

Cast : Kim Yoo-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, and Roh Yeon-seo

Plot of the movie :

A still from the movie '20th century Girl.'

Set in 1999, the story centers on 17-year-old Na Bo-ra (Kim Yoo-jung), a lively and kind-hearted student. When her best friend, Yeon-du (Roh Yoon-seo), leaves for the U.S. for heart surgery, she asks Bo-ra to keep an eye on her crush. Mistakenly identifying Baek Hyun-jin (Park Jung-woo) as the object of affection, Bo-ra befriends his close friend, Poong Woon-ho (Byeon Woo-seok), to learn more about him. Over time, she unexpectedly finds herself falling for Woon-ho, and he reciprocates her feelings.

The situation grows complicated when Yeon-du returns, revealing that Woon-ho was, in fact, Bo-ra’s real crush all along. Torn between loyalty and love, Bo-ra initially hides her feelings, but Yeon-du encourages her to follow her heart. Just as Bo-ra and Woon-ho confess their love, Woon-ho relocates to New Zealand. They maintain contact through letters and emails until one day, he suddenly stops responding, leaving Bo-ra devastated.

Years later, in 2019, Bo-ra (now Han Hyo-joo) receives an invitation to an art exhibition from Woon-ho’s younger brother, Joseph. There, she discovers the heartbreaking truth: Woon-ho had passed away years earlier. Joseph shares a video Woon-ho made for Bo-ra, filled with their cherished memories, leaving her overwhelmed with emotion and realizing how deeply their brief love had impacted them both.

The Characters:

Na Bo-ra (Kim Yoo-jung): A bright, headstrong teen devoted to her best friend. While trying to help Yeon-du with her crush, Bo-ra unexpectedly discovers her own feelings for Woon-ho.

Kim Yoo-jung as Na Bo-ra

Poong Woon-ho (Byeon Woo-seok): Hyun-jin’s best friend and member of the Broadcasting Club. Drawn to Bo-ra’s charm, he slowly falls in love with her as they spend time together.

Byeon Woo-seok as Poong Woon-ho

Baek Hyun-jin (Park Jung-woo): A charismatic and popular student who unknowingly becomes the center of Bo-ra’s well-intentioned investigation, forming a surprising friendship along the way.

Park Jung-woo as Baek Hyun-jin

Kim Yeon-du (Roh Yoon-seo): Bo-ra’s loyal and loving best friend, whose health struggles take her abroad. Her unwavering support and trust help Bo-ra navigate matters of the heart.

Roh Yoon-seo as Kim Yeon-du

Reasons why the movie resonated:

• A nostalgic trip: The film authentically recreates the late ’90s, from payphones and school uniforms to the era’s unique gadgets, immersing viewers in a wave of nostalgia.

  
  

• Heartfelt storytelling: At its core, the movie beautifully explores teenage friendship, innocent crushes, and the bittersweet nuances of first love.

  
  

• Relatable characters: Bo-ra’s sincerity, Woon-ho’s earnestness, and Yeon-du’s loyalty make each character relatable, drawing audiences deeply into their emotional journeys.

  
  

• A poignant twist: The story’s unexpected ending transforms a seemingly light-hearted romance into a deeply emotional experience that lingers long after the credits.

  
  

• Memorable performances: The cast’s natural and emotionally rich performances brought authenticity and depth to the story, making each moment of joy and heartbreak resonate.

  
  

• Universal themes: Despite its specific setting, the themes of friendship, longing, and growing up are universally relatable, helping the film connect with global audiences on platforms like Netflix.

'20th Century Girl' is more than a nostalgic teen romance, it’s a touching exploration of youth, fleeting love, enduring friendship, and heartache. Balancing innocence with sorrow, the film reminds us that even brief connections can leave a lasting mark, making it a poignant coming-of-age tale that continues to resonate with viewers worldwide.

Official poster of the movie '20th Century Girl'