This review may contain spoilers
This movie will ruin you
When I started watching this movie, I didn't know what to expect, but I was completely swept away. I loved this movie from beginning to end. Their romance was so pure and perfect. The first time I watched it, I was so amazed by their relationship, that I didn't even see the end coming at all. Every time I rewatch it, I still bawl my eyes out at the end.Honestly, I feel like there aren't many movies that have touched me as much as this one did. It just has some heartwarming and unexpected twists that completely change the story (sometimes in a good way and sometimes not 😔).
Was this review helpful to you?
Disappointing
I thought it will be a good story with all the good reviews but unfortunately it was very disappointing, and I am very emotional person but this movie was not touched by it ar allI appreciate all the hardworking actors but it didn’t deliver the emotion plot and I got bored half of the movie and wanted to finish it asap.
I wouldn’t recommend it and I don’t think I would ever watch it again
Was this review helpful to you?
Must Watch
This movie absolutely made me sob, but it is so well produced and the actors do such an amazing job at getting you invested in the story. I got attached to all of these characters and I can't wait to rewatch it in the future (once I emotionally recover). The music wasn't anything too memorable, which is why I rated it 4 stars. I expected better music, especially with how much I loved this movie as a whole.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
20th Century Girl was disappointing and surprising in a bad way...
If you've seen 20th century girl, this review will make sense. But if you haven't then read this after because it won't make much sense. I was very disappointed in this to say the least so you will see the bad is a lot longer than the good :)One sentence description: A nostalgic story about a girl who becomes trapped by the memory of a crush, clinging to the past for over a decade.
The good
A good story line
The fact that he died in the end was excellent, I don’t think anyone watching this was expecting it. In fact, I’m sure we all believed that he would’ve returned years later with an explanation and it would’ve ended happily. Especially since she waited all that time for him. I also liked the scenes they had together, they were super cute and I enjoyed it. Bo Ra is definitely a real good friend for not only pushing down her feelings but also rejecting him even though she felt the same. The storyline was really good and all the characters were amazing- especially facially (**Byeon Woo-Seok**). I did feel bad for the best friend because it was clear that she never had a chance from the start but I did have a few opinions on her (which will be in the “bad” section). All-in-All, this film had a great plot and that’s why it got a 7/10 from me.
The Bad
Why It Got a 7/10
My biggest issue? Bo Ra and Woon Ho didn’t spend enough time together for her to be locked in for 15+ YEARS. Don’t get me wrong, their moments were cute, and I totally get why they liked each other. HOWEVER, in my opinion, it just wasn’t enough. She spent so much time avoiding him and her feelings that there weren’t enough moments to really justify calling it love.
Not only that, but from the way the movie played out, it seemed like they knew each other for less than a year — yet she stayed single for years waiting for him?? That’s wild. Maybe my opinion stems from the fact that I’ve never had a crush, but still — there were definitely not enough scenes that explained why she remained so loyal for 15 years. So while it was cute that she waited, imagine finding out you put your love life on hold for 15 years over a dead man. (And I say that with the utmost sincerity — R.I.P. Woon Ho.)
Yeon Du Was Kind of a Bad Friend
Bo Ra was such a good friend to Yeon Du, but was it really mutual? She knew Woon Ho had no feelings for her, yet refused to let her best friend — who clearly liked him — be with him out of jealousy? Like, please. If the roles were reversed, Bo Ra would’ve sucked it up and pretended to be fine. Yeon Du, on the other hand, waited until the last possible moment to get over herself, and by the time she did, Woon Ho was already leaving. On top of that, it’s not like he was sticking around — he was moving to the other side of the world. She should’ve just told herself “This isn’t going to last” and let them be happy for the time they had left. The friendship dynamic was so 30/70, and it was a shame.
Woon Ho’s Death…?
Okay, so can we talk about how his death was so vague? Like, we’re just told he died in 2000 in an accident and that’s it. What accident? I think it would’ve hit way harder if we had more context.
For example, imagine if he died on his way to the airport to see her. Maybe she was waiting for him with a sign, only for his plane to land…and he never gets off. Then later, she finds out he got into a car crash on the way. THAT would’ve been devastating. Instead, it just felt like a buildup that suddenly dropped. Like in baseball when you think it’s a home run, but then it just…gets caught.
What Happened to the Side Characters?
This is a general issue in many other K-dramas I’ve seen, but why do side characters just disappear? The ending always hyper-focuses on the main leads, and we never find out what happens to everyone else.
Like, did Bo Ra and Yeon Du stay friends? Do they still talk to Hyun-Jin? Or did the whole friend group just dissolve because Woon Ho was the glue holding them together? I need answers! Also, why didn’t she ask Hyun-Jin if he had heard from Woon Ho? Like, wouldn’t that have been the first thing you’d do if someone stopped responding to you? But I guess the story would’ve played out differently if she found out sooner that no one had heard from him.
Final Thoughts
Overall, 20th Century Girl had so much potential, and while it was still an enjoyable movie, some parts just didn’t land for me. The romance wasn’t developed enough, the friend was lowkey selfish, the side characters disappeared, and his death needed way more explanation. A solid 7/10 — but it could’ve been higher if they had given us just a little more.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
its such a classic but still ao sad ?
before i started watching this i knew it wasn’t gonna be a happy ending but it still hit me so hard the he suddenly died on HIS WAY TO HER 💔💔💔 the casting and acting was so good 🤤 the story was also so well made because i didn’t really have like a moment where i was bored, really. because sometimes i’m like watching a movie or show and i have the urge to like skip or speed up a part but with this movie i really didn’t! ive also rewatched it a few times and his final like videotape is always so sad bro 💔💔Was this review helpful to you?
Yeah, I was not prepered for this!
At all!!! I thought, I this is going to be a fun teen comedy with some cheesy romance, but no, it was more mature than I expected. The writing was fantastic, the actors are great, and if you lived as a teen in the 90s you'll feel the nostalgia. Okay, technically I was only 13 in 2000, but still.😅
Anyway, at first I was afraid, they might do a lame love triangle or even quadruple, but no, they managed this whole romance story in the best possible way.
I'm not sure what can I say more without spoiling it, but DON'T READ ANYTHING ABOUT THIS MOVIE BEFORE YOU WATCH IT!
Was this review helpful to you?
Deep, yet very hartwarming story
The drama is so well filmed. The whole story was perfectly portrayed by the actors, however, I was kind of triggered by those unending crying scenes (they just were there, no spoiling).If you are planning to watch this drama, it's probably not a secret that it´s overall a pretty sad story. Whether it´s the heart condition problems or the love between the main couple.
Anyway, I liked how they uniquely portrayed every relationship. I mean...it wasn't cringe (mostly parent-child relationships are portrayed like that)
I would highly recommend this show mostly to girls in their teen ages or in their early 20s (close to the characters' age)
P.S. Be ready to laugh, cry, smile, fangirl over the main cast and be ready for everything
Was this review helpful to you?
Hope turned to Sorrow
I was just looking for something light and happy movie, however, this brought sadness at the end.I usually make reflections on the tv series or movie I watch and try to pick life lessons. In this case there are a few:
1. a true friend goes the extra mile though it may hurt her the most.
2. true friendship was tested in the matters of the heart
3. if you have good memories of someone you've not seen or will never see anymore, cherish them.
I was just left hanging, not knowing what really happened to the ML in detail. It seems they kept that from us, whereby it is just the brother who relayed to her. No matter what, a death just killed all the hope of meeting again, of continuing their journey together and even perhaps having a family.
I really do not like sad endings. However, we all encounter one way or another some sort of "sad" moments in our lives and what is important is how to deal with it and move on with life.
Was this review helpful to you?
a sad ending that warms the heart ?
Don't watch it if you can't stand sad endings. I just watched it for that and honestly, I'm satisfied. I really liked the actors and the story. I especially liked Kim Yoo-jung's performance, as the fantastic Kim Bo-ra, and Baek Woo seok, the guy I found the most mysterious and intriguing in the movie. But I didn't really understand why and how he died. Maybe I missed something important or I don't know. In any case, the ending really left a mark on me and I will remember it for a very long time 🥹Was this review helpful to you?
Heart-warming
This is my second time watching this movie and oh Man. My heart hurts!I forgot how the movie ended and it definitely woke me up from reality.
I decided to rewatch this because of Byeon Woo Seok. I recently just finished watching ‘Strong Girl Nam Soon’ and his acting in that drama was remarkable. I did not expect to see him as the villain. This is one of the reasons I decided to rewatch this because I miss his innocent character haha.
Anyways. I love this drama. I remember watching it for the first time saying why is it two hours. That's too long. But as I kept watching, I wished it was a drama.
It's so emotional! I love shows or movies that occurred in the 90s. It brings back my childhood and just shows life being simple regardless of being poor.
The friendships. High school life. Romance. Third wheeling. The plot and the ending.
It's definitely one of a kind.
This movie reminds me of ‘She’s Dating the Gangster it's a Filipino romance movie that is similar to the story of this drama.
Risking everything for the cause of others.
Anyways. I'm glad I rewatched it. I've been craving.. hahah. this drama. I just can't bear the watch 25-21. That one OMG. I caanot.
But. Worth every seconds.
5:14pm 11/29/23
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
What's wrong with these Asian screenwriters??
I started watching this movie while I was ironing clothes and I didn't have any particular expectation. Halfway through the film I grabbed the iron backwards and burbed my hand so much I was captured by the plot, I was enjoying the funny scenes and the acting..and then it happened again..Ok sending ML away and having him disappear at a certain point, it may happen, I can take it...but why did he have to die???
In Western films and series, the great problem would have been the reaction of the best friend when realizing that the boy she likes fell in love with FL and was reciprocated. Here she acts so mature (as they always do in kdramas) and friendship is saved, so why did it have to end like this???
I think I will watch this film over and over again, but alway stopping at the train station scene. A goodbye is always better than a farewell.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
watch at your own heart’s risk
do not bait me in like that have me smiling like an idiot and then just crush the entirety of my being in one fell swoop.i feel scammed i feel a lot of things right now mostly the tears running down my face. thank you very much for that by the way. i have school in the morning.
can i just ask to whoever wrote the script. who hurt you? who?
anyways shattered heart aside acting was great. didn’t really focus on the music so no strong opinions on that. casting beautifully done. storyline i gave that a 5 ONLY BECAUSE of the first half you know what you did in the second.
watch it if u want to be happy and then suffer.
Was this review helpful to you?
