Movie Digest
With no dreams and a three-year-long road of preparation for University, Young-ho decides to write a letter to his childhood friend So-Yeon. The letter reaches So-Hee, who is taking care of her sick elder sister, So-Yeon. She writes back pretending to be her sister while running a second-hand bookstore with her mother and caring for So-Yeon.
The Feel-Good Part
The story revolves around friendship and the little moments of comfort that we find along the way of life. The plot is well written and poetic with a twist that will intrigue the audience while providing them with the feeling of the melancholy of longing through the characters’ emotions. The film is incredibly well crafted, which makes it emotional and impactful, which sets a high standard for slow-burn stories like this. Since the story spans over 8 years it is essential for the characters to be relatable and down to earth while being exciting and layered to keep the audience invested and for the story to translate well, which is achieved here because of the well-written characters.
The Disappointing Factor
The plot can get confusing because the story keeps shifting between the past and present, which may bore the audience. The film may feel like it’s dragging during some scenes and that the duration is not justified for this plot. The lack of romance might be a deal-breaker for an audience that expects it. Some may find the movie slow because of the nature of its story, which may leave the audience bored.
In-Depth Analysis
The movie has beautiful cinematography that fits its ‘slice of life’ plotline. There is a very nostalgic feel to the movie because of the vintage items that are used throughout the film, from the embroidered handkerchief to the hand-painted umbrella. All of these helped increase the impact of the emotional elements. The Original Soundtrack also helps build the tension between the audience so that the romantic anticipation that the audience holds, increases.
The main themes of the film are childhood, memories, and the impact they have later in our lives. The yearning of the protagonists takes center stage, which makes the big twist all the more touching. The main element of the story is waiting, which makes the movie slow-paced and easy-going.
Star Power
The performances carry the sentimentality of the plot; it almost feels like the story was written with Kang Ha-neul in mind just because of how well he internalized Young-ho’s character. Chun Woo-hee also delivers a strong performance that makes the audience feel connected and actively root for her.
Overall Opinion
This one is for those who enjoy slow burn romances that are faithfully rendered. The references to older Korean romantic-comedies will make you feel a deep sense of nostalgia that will leave you yearning for more. While the story is simple, it keeps the audience engaged and interested, and the ending is delivered with subtlety, which is something fans of this genre will appreciate greatly.
