missing a spark
Have to preface that I don’t think my standards were set incredibly high coming into this — when you watch this type of romcom youth movie you pretty much know what you’re going to get, plot-wise. A movie like this is elevated on the strength of its cast.That’s where this movie misses the mark. I just don’t feel like I was given enough to fall in love with these characters. I think the male lead was miscast and I didn’t feel chemistry between him and the female lead. The other love interest character was barely in it, and because of that it didn’t really make an impact when the FL chose the ML over him. It just felt like “okay yeah, duh.” This applies to the entire movie; the emotional gravitas was missing, or the “spark”.
A strength was the FL’s group of friends — I loved how they were always so supportive of her.
I liked that the FL was able to realise on her own that the ML always liked her for who she was, but the problem was after that realisation I felt like the movie was just floundering. The forced “ML had to leave” and “she tells him to go even though she loves him” but they meet again 1-2 years later in college story thread really didn’t need to be included. It felt tired and not well-paced.
Dunno what was the point of having the character of FL’s fraternal twin sister. She had like one line. I thought she would play a role in the story; you have a pair of fraternal twin sisters but one is prettier (this isn’t true ofc but ykwim) and achieves better grades, and there’s just no conflict arising from that?
Overall I think there’s way better 2000s nostalgia-bait youth romance movies. I think others did it better and this one just feels like a pale imitation, to be honest.
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A little bit of hope and sweetness
A cute movie def made in and for Netflix, surprisingly fun, endearing, and at times (rarely) quite deep.Netflix's generic tone and format made the story feel artificial, but I still found it to be quite charming.
The theme of domestic violence deserved more prominence in the movie. The entire segment was rushed, and as expected from Netflix and kdramaland, they simply used tragic events as special effects or shock value, instead of truly tackling this type of subject with proper writing (psychology, introspection, relevant dialogues, etc.).
Despite this serious flaw, I do recommend this movie. I had a good time. The last part felt rushed, but I don't regret watching it. It was quite inspiring, but I don't think it's really rewatchable.
The whole scene where the ml and his mother are crying together in the hospital made me cry, it was such a well-acted scene! I really liked Gong Myung's performance, I think he did a really good job, and the whole cast was actually quite nice, but their acting wasn't that interesting, the fl was cute but her perf was simply ok.
It's most definitely not a movie that engage your brain lol, but it has some sparkles in it, many scenes and vibes bringing a little bit of hope and sweetness in the heart of the youth.
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it was ok but nothing so special
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It was okay, that's it!
I just curious on this film. I am not really fan of films but lately I tried watching them because I got the chance to finish the story in just one episode. I tend to lose interest for some Kdramas that's not appealing anymore at some point of the series so I somehow watch films already.This series was okay. it was cute. The story was there. It was slow pacing and just fine. There was nothing special that I really dropped it 30mins before it ends. I stop because I am sleepy.
And browing on Tiktok there was an edit that made it looks like the same feels of the 20th Century Girl so I decided to continue it to watch it. It was different actually, very different. I just felt sad on the hospital scene but ending was a closure for everyone.
It was okay, and I agree with the first review I read that there's nothing special. That's it!
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SWEET AND FUN
This movie made me smile like an idiot. Park Se Ri with her messy, frizzy hair, her desperate little “confession project,” her bumbling around like a malfunctioning Roomba with a crush, her awkward little heart beating too fast... yeah, that was me, that was you, that was a lot of us at some point. I was cringing and swooning at the same time because wow, teenage me really jumped out.The vibe was very 20th Century Girl. Nostalgic, youthful, a little dreamy. The music + soft cinematography had me floating in that in-between space of memory and fiction. Up until halfway through, I kept bracing myself for pain (because 20th Century Girl scarred me for life lol), but nope! This one doesn’t go full trauma, except… there’s this sudden dramatic plot point in the second half that felt like it wandered in from another script. I literally tilted my head like a confused puppy. Of course, it didn’t wholly sink the ship, but it did feel like someone tripped and dropped it just to create a conflict.
The best parts weren’t even the “romantic project,” but Se Ri herself... her insecurities, her friendships, her chaotic little energy. She felt like a real teenage girl, not some perfectly lit mannequin who wakes up with glass skin and 17 Chanel handbags. Shin Eun Soo nailed it. Gong Myung looked good with her, they were fluttery together, though… yeah, him as a high schooler? Bit of a stretch. Still, it worked enough that I forgave it.
Cha Woo-min didn't get much screen time, but wow, the directing made sure his presence popped. After the movie I was like, “Wait, that was it?” But impact > minutes, babes.
And then, THE CAMEOS! PURE. SEROTONIN. Every time one popped up my face twisted into the dumbest grin imaginable. When Gong Yoo and Jung Yu Mi appeared, I could feel my brain physically lighting up like a slot machine.
End of the day, Love Untangled isn’t deep. It’s not going to linger in my mind for long. But sometimes you don’t need “deep.” Sometimes you just need something light, sweet, easy. A reminder of crushes that made your stomach twist, silly teenage plans, messy hair you thought ruined your life. That’s what this movie gave me. Sometimes you just need a silly little film to smile at like a lunatic.
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1
1A Charming, Nostalgic Romcom with Heart
Love Untangled is a delightful romantic comedy that captures the awkward, hopeful essence of teenage love in 1998 Busan. The story follows Park Se-ri, a high schooler who believes straightening her curly hair will win the heart of her crush, Kim Hyun. Enter Han Yun-seok, a kind-hearted transfer student, and Se-ri’s journey shifts from chasing approval to embracing her true self.The film’s biggest strength is Shin Eun-soo’s magnetic performance as Se-ri. She brings infectious energy and relatability, making every moment of self-doubt and triumph feel authentic. Gong Myung’s Yun-seok is equally endearing, his quiet vulnerability balancing Se-ri’s vibrancy, though their chemistry sometimes feels gentle rather than electric. The nostalgic 90s setting, complete with pagers, retro bikes, and a sunny Busan backdrop, creates a warm, wistful vibe that’s hard to resist. Cameos by familiar faces add a playful touch, and the soundtrack’s catchy '90s tunes amplify the charm.
The “love yourself” message, tied to Se-ri’s curly hair, is refreshing and avoids cliché beauty-makeover tropes. However, the nearly two-hour runtime drags in the middle, and the story leans heavily on familiar romcom beats: the love triangle, the misunderstanding, the tidy resolution. A subplot about domestic violence adds emotional weight but feels rushed, leaving some depth unexplored. Supporting characters, like Se-ri’s twin sister, could’ve been fleshed out to enrich the story.
At its core, Love Untangled is a feel-good escape that doesn’t reinvent the genre but doesn’t need to. It’s sweet, sincere, and perfect for anyone craving a lighthearted teen romance with a side of nostalgia.
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SIMPLE YET SWEET 90s ROMANCE
It is sweet and nostalgic teen romance set in 1990's Busan. It follows Se Ri, a girl who thinks her curly hair is stopping her from confessing to her crush. But when a new student, Yoon Seok gets involved in her plan, she discovers more about love and herself.The movie shines with 90s vibe, warm atmosphere, and natural chemistry between the leads. It captures the innocence of first love and delivers a touching message about self acceptance.
Still, the story is a bit predictable, and the idea of treating curly hair as a problem can feel uncomfortable, especially to modern audience. It's forgivable in context since it's set in the 90s, still worth watching.
Overall, it's a light and a heartwarming watch. It's a kind of movie you can rewatch whenever you want to feel cozy, relaxed, and a bit nostalgic.
Plot 6/10
Acting and Characters 8/10
Cinematography 9/10
Writing 7/10
Pacing 8/10
OST/Score 8/10
Overall 7.5/10
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Not exactly terrible but not mind blowingly good either
I mean, I can name 10 other movies with the exact same or similar plot that are far better than this one. It starts off as a silly, goofy, feel good coming of age story but takes a slightly dark turn in the last quarter. Overall, it's pretty light hearted. Like I said, it's not bad but other people have made similar movies and theirs are just more enjoyable than this one. I only watched this because I had nothing better to do and I'm pretty sure it's the same for many other viewers. At least this movie introduced me to a few cool songs.Was this review helpful to you?
Predictable plot
Movie is good but most of the plot is predictable. No suspense, no heart pounding moment. just a simple story. If they keep little suspense untill end then the movie became great. but according to my view full story is normal. you can tell already what is going to happen in next scene.( i think story was written by a newbie writer ,who just start to write ).
But i love the one thing in the movie as a message given in the movie" love yourself as you are." ML and FL had great chemistry too.
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Light hearted
I just know for a fact that the second you saw the trailer to Love Untangled, you had 20th Century Girl war flashbacks. I understand your sentiment because that happened to me, but I’m happy to inform you that you will not be weeping at the end of this film, instead you might find yourself giggling your way through the whole thing.If you’ve previously seen high school Korean dramas or films, it’s likely you already know exactly how things turn out in Love Untangled. It could basically be the most predictable film of 2025, but that’s okay, because not everything needs to be a shocker or give you a love triangle so intense that you don’t know who to choose. This film clearly has a main lead, and you can’t even call the other guy a second lead, so don’t go in with high hopes of something intense here.
But, if you want something truly adorable and you like y2k youth-romcom type of film, then I recommend this to you.
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2
1
1Cute, heartwarming, and nostalgic.
"I always thought I had to change for someone to like me.""I like every version of you."
Set in the 1990s, Love Untangled is a romantic comedy and youth movie about high school romance, friendships, and self-love. It follows Park Se-ri as she tries to navigate through the formative years of her life. Her most pressing problem? Finding the courage to confess to her crush. Just like Se-ri, I must confess — when I first read the premise, I rolled my eyes. I thought this movie was going to be one of those outdated stories that reinforce the toxic belief that you must conform to societal beauty standards in order to be accepted and loved, but it wasn't like that at all.
Instead, the writers took a "love yourself" and "you are beautiful just the way you are" approach, and I'm so thankful for that. The concept might be familiar, and therefore predictable, but the actors' delightful performances make the story feel relatable and engaging. The movie reminds us that diversity is beautiful and receiving genuine affection doesn't require us to sacrifice our true selves. It is a much needed reminder in a world that is constantly trying to change us.
With likable characters and an uplifting message, Love Untangled delivers just enough high school nostalgia, genuine friendship, and awkward first love to leave me grinning. I recommend it for those in search of a cute and feel-good story.
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Who rules the world ? CURLS !!
The movie captures how the little things feel so big when you are a teenager...from fighting with frizzy curly hair to building up the courage to confess to your crush.The movie is about Park Seri's journey to confess her crush with her ride or die friends and new transfer student Han yun seok. It's endearing, humorous, chaotic at times but surprisingly a touching story about first love and insecurities.
It was all warm sunshine and rainbows. That is how I felt watching this. It somehow
brought back all the memories of having a teenage crush. The butterflies...the messy confusing feelings that comes with it...the anticipation and the occasional tears too. I also appreciated how the insecurities were subtly depicted and how it was worked through. Nothing felt forced or too over dramatic.
That said, my only gripe was Yun Seok’s mother’s storyline. It felt like it came from nowhere and felt a bit underdeveloped for the impact it had on the movie. More like shock than substance.
Acting wise, Shin Eun Soo was spot on. She was bright, awkward and very teenager-y (if that's a word). Gong Myung did well too, though it was a stretch to see him as a teenager sometimes. Cha woon min in short supportive role was charming as always.
Overall, this was a feel good movie with the message of self acceptance in the most subtle and teenage way! It is nothing out of the box but a comforting watch!
I would definitely recommend it!
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