Serene, Authentic, Warm
I have always loved and in constant quest to find for slow, relaxing, peaceful and lighhearted movies and Little Forest fit each and every criteria of an escapism movie. This one nonchalantly lets you take a deep breath and just immerse yourself in the beauty of Nature, home cooked foods and love.The cinematography is excellent. The way it potrays the such serenity in a rural setting makes you reminisce of the peace you felt staying at your grandparents place. Now I can’t help but to picture myself settling at a farmhouse too!
Definitely one of my favourite movies 🤍🌸🌻
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A meditative retreat into simplicity
Don’t go into Little Forest expecting anything grandiose. What it offers instead is a gentle reset for the mind and spirit. If you need that right now, don't even think twice. Go watch it.It follows a familiar premise: a young woman leaves behind the stress and disappointment of city life to seek solace in the countryside. But unlike other stories in this genre, this one doesn’t overexplain or dramatize. There’s no heavy trauma, no big cast of quirky characters, no heavy emotional monologues. It’s just Hyewon, her childhood home, two friends, the wonderful changing seasons, and a steady rhythm of cooking, farming, and reflecting.
Kim Taeri delivers such a grounded, introspective performance. She was exceptional, as always. You watch her come back to her rural roots thinking she’s only staying a few days. But little by little, through farming with old friends, preparing creative seasonal meals, and reliving quiet memories of the time with her mother, she starts feeling whole again.
Her growth felt real and subtle, and it resonated deeply. I found myself thinking, I wish I could just drop everything and disappear into a place like that too... Away from corporate noise, somewhere where I'm self-sufficient and in peace (though I’ll admit I’d be terrified of bugs).
The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. The way it captures the quiet beauty of the seasons and the intimacy of preparing food... Even for someone like me who isn’t into cooking, all of that felt almost meditative. Every frame relaxed my system.
I loved how the film didn’t try to wrap everything up neatly either. The ending was open yet satisfying, reflecting Hyewon’s quiet rediscovery of herself and her mother.
Little Forest is a film that asks for very little but gives a great deal. It's a breath of fresh air for anyone feeling burnt out or quietly yearning for something slower, simpler, and more honest.
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The beauty of slow simple life
I was just thinking the other day if the rest of my life will mean working that 9 - 5 job and not having enough time to slow down and think about life and how I'm doing and if I'm happy or not. I've also always thought we should go back to the old ways of bringing food to our tables, to keep those traditional recipes alive, to learn how to cook as good and deliciously as our grandmas did. To learn how to bring everyone together just like Hyewon did.This movie really got me mesmerized. At times it's good to do the simplest of jobs. Just recently I read about farmers being the happiest profession as of Jan 6th, 2023 and I'm not surprised. What's funny is that as kids, we always strive to move to the capital or bigger cities thinking that we'll never be able to make a living in our hometowns. Then we find ourselves missing home, waking up to cartoons and enjoying mom's food and just resting out in the sun.
I'm glad I finally watched this movie. It felt like a day off, took my mind to the peaceful picturesque village views and I felt at ease. It reminded me of how much earth gives to us and how grateful we should be of life in general, our good friends, our hard working people, our childhood home. It made me enforce the thought that romantic love isn't always the key to answer your life questions. It made me wanna rethink a few things and hopefully I'll find my little forest too.
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This film reminds me what a really good film is all about. It is about GOOD storytelling...
Little Forest reminds me what a really good film is all about; it isn’t about the best CGI, the highest budget, and not even about how the different cinematic techniques are applied. It is about GOOD storytelling, after all a film at its core is a form of storytelling.In an industry saturated with big-budgeted, adrenaline-fueled stories, the calm and no-plot Little Forest shined steadily and confidently. It’s one of those films that would leave you with a warm feeling and would stay in your mind long after the suspense, wonder, and amazement of the other stories you’ve been told left your consciousness. The characters stay with you as if you’ve been friendly neighbors and watched each other for a long time, sometimes you even see yourself in them. That’s the beauty of a good storytelling — it lingers long.
The thing with this kind of film is that it wouldn’t work well if the actors aren’t good in their character portrayal. Kim Tae Ri, Ryu Jun Yeol, and Jin Ki Joo are all exceptional in this film too. Ryu Jun Yeol is such a gem and the way he always owns this kind of characters is simply amazing.
It always amazes me that when a character is portrayed so well, even the smallest and most common of gestures can mean a dozen of things. At the near end of the film, Ryu Jun Yeol's wave of goodbye done while his back is turned from Hae Won could be interpreted in so many ways. I remember pausing the play button after that scene and I just smiled and basked in the rush of emotions that scene evoked in me. It’s one of those moments, the little details of a well-told story that stays with you.
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Her journey of figuring yourself was well done, and showed that she was not perfect. Tae Ri made the character human and showed a deep sense of self reflecting. There was not a lot of sub plot there was a sprinkle of romance and themes of relationship but it was nice to have a story arc that did not focus on a girl choosing a man to love. Instead she had to come to love herself.
Would I recommend this?
Absolutely! It is a perfect movie to relieve stress, and especially good after a heartbreaking movie. This is a type of a movie that you can just watch and enjoy.
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This review may contain spoilers
Beautifully filmed movie. Sweet. I was hoping for romance. Keep waiting but not happen.The cooking make me hungry. I have to pause and make ramen. Wish I am so talented cook like her.
The artistic filming of everything nature remind me of movie “Spring, Summer, Falls, Winter and Spring” (Korean film) and “The Scent of Green Papaya” (Vietnamese film).
Kim Tae Ri is undeniable one of the young talented beautiful smart Korean actress.
Rye Joon Yeol, the male lead on “Money” and “Replay 1988”, he is very raw and natural, like next door brother. Love his deep voice.
If you are tired of intense movie and frustrated of the tuck and pull kdrama. This film will help you relax, especially if you love cooking, planting, organic food, ...
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Review: Little Forest (2018) - "A Heartwarming Escape: Review of Little Forest"
Little Forest is a beautifully serene film that showcases Kim Tae-ri in a role that’s a refreshing departure from her usual characters. As Hye-won, a young woman returning to her rural hometown to escape the pressures of city life, Kim Tae-ri shines with a quiet, grounded performance. The film is a gentle meditation on finding peace within oneself and the healing power of nature.The pacing is deliberately slow, allowing the audience to truly feel Hye-won’s journey of self-discovery as she reconnects with her roots, grows her own food, and rebuilds her emotional resilience. Kim Tae-ri’s performance is deeply emotional yet subtle, capturing the complexities of her character’s inner turmoil and the peace she finds through simple, everyday moments.
The film is visually stunning, with gorgeous landscapes and a soothing, natural atmosphere that complements its themes of renewal and personal growth. Little Forest is a quiet, introspective film that leaves a lasting impression.
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beautiful cinematography, one of the best slice of life movies i’ve watched
i actually watched this while i was on the plane back from korea and wow i LOVED it! it’s definitely not the movie to watch if you want something fast paced, drama/action filled, or anything like that, but that’s what i loved about it. there honestly isn’t too much of a story itself, but i think that that actually made this movie even better! it really allowed you to appreciate the cinematography and to just feel at peace, it really is a beautiful film. i love kim taeri and i felt that her subtle acting was very comforting and realistic in this! the music was calming as well and complimented the overall aesthetic of the movie. i loved the incorporation of traditional korean recipes, it made me feel like going home and cooking with my 엄마 as soon as i landed. for anyone tired of the city life or just the chaos of life in general, this is really a great watch to calm your soul! definitely a new favorite comfort movie to rewatch!Was this review helpful to you?
Comfort Food for the Soul
Okay, so Little Forest had been sitting in my watchlist for over a year, and last night I finally pressed play because I missed Kim Tae-ri’s “girl next door” vibe. Best decision ever. It’s basically 115 minutes of Tae-ri cooking, eating, wandering around her village, and quietly narrating her thoughts — and somehow, that was exactly what I needed.The plot is super simple: Hye-won comes back to her rural hometown after getting tired of city life. That’s it. No big twists, no villains, no tragic breakup — just one woman rediscovering herself through food and nature. And it’s so peaceful. Every season flows into the next as she learns, heals, and occasionally deep-fries things you didn’t even know were edible (acacia blossoms? who knew!).
The pacing is slow, but intentionally so. It gives you space to breathe — like you’re living alongside her rather than watching from afar. The way the film is divided by the seasons makes it feel like a warm year spent in quiet reflection.
Kim Tae-ri carries the whole thing effortlessly. She’s so natural that it doesn’t even feel like acting. One minute she’s smiling softly at her freshly baked bread, and the next she’s just sitting in silence — but somehow you feel everything. That subtle shift between contentment and melancholy is pure magic.
The cinematography is gorgeous. Every shot could be a Pinterest board for “Korean countryside aesthetic.” There’s something almost meditative about watching her cook — the sizzling, the chopping, the way sunlight hits a bowl of rice. You can almost smell the food through the screen.
And Kim Tae-ri… what can I even say? She’s so naturally expressive. She doesn’t need dramatic crying scenes to make you feel something; a quiet smile or a small sigh does the job. You can tell she gets this character — someone who’s tired but still gentle with herself.
What surprised me most is how healing the movie felt. I expected a slow, maybe even boring story — but instead, it wrapped me up like a warm blanket. There’s something so grounding about watching someone find joy in the simplest things. It makes you want to plant something, cook something, and maybe just take a day to breathe.
By the time it ended, I realized I’d been smiling for most of the movie. It’s rare to find a film that doesn’t need high stakes or grand emotions to move you. Little Forest does it quietly, through food, nature, and self-reflection.
If you’re burnt out, stressed, or just need a reminder that peace can come from small, ordinary moments — this is your movie
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Each has its own strength and characters - which is why though the story is the same, it feels totally different.
This version explores more about the human relationship: Hye won's relationship with her mom is explored in depth here, as well as her relationship with friends. It is also more dramatic with the opening part of Hye Won said she's coming back because she's hungry - the first punch of the dramatic flare - I love it!
The difference with the Japanese version (Winter & Spring, Summer & Autumn) is more in the story. Where J version explores more on relationship with nature, the K version is more on the story of mother and daughter. I'm glad the K version shows more of the mother's story and it finishes nicely.
The J version, on the other hand, only shows the tip of the iceberg of Ichiko and mother's relationship and the ending is too abrupt. But what I like about the J version is how calming it is and it shows more on human relationship with nature - which I totally loved. Its quiet and serene atmosphere feels just right to describe living so close to nature, away from the bustling of city life. The best part of the J version is the farming and cooking part, how to use seasonal ingredients to make the best food. Everything is simply made but looks absolutely delicious! This version is totally humbling me down. We take so much for granted from the mother nature and the J version seems to remind us that we should be thankful and not waste so much.
Too bad it's not explored in detail in the K version, but understandable since the K version is one movie whereas J version is made into 2 movies - so they have more freedom to fill in the story.
All in all, totally recommended. Try to watch both versions and see which one suits you the most.
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Finding One's Path
Somehow this movie gives me the feel of "When the Weather is Fine" but on a lighter note.The different seasons reflect the different thoughts of Hye Won's life.
Winter ... when almost everything is freezing, or hibernating ... and her life seem to be frozen also in time, not knowing what to do but returns to a life she once escaped from.
Spring ... when new sprouts come alive and gives hope ... shaking the blues of winter
Summer ... when planting and reaping is at its peak ... it is also a time of seeing the fruit of her labor ... and what she is trying to understand, her mom, even her future, what she really wants in life becomes clearer.
Fall - when the dried persimmons are ready to be kept for wintertime ... ready to face where she left off ...
She did leave without saying goodbye to her friends ...
Then returned ... now on a happier feeling as someone came back before her.
All along these seasons, she remembers her mom, coupled with what she cooks that suits the season. She learned them from her mom. As she plants, it shows patience and expectation of her harvest. This gives me a deeper appreciation of planting as it cultivates a character of patience, hope, and love. There is so much introspection in this movie. The alone time, the quiet planting and harvesting are times of reflection.
Somehow, the seasons represented also her own season of maturity - of finding clarity, of contentment, and of hope.
I have dreamed of living in a countryside, slower pace of life, with fresh air, no smoke or traffic. Many people think that life is better in the city and the movie tells me, it is a matter of seeing the beauty of where we are planted. It does not matter if it is the city or the country, what matters is - is it home?
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