Anastasia Orr

I see this movie often described as a “beautiful” friendship, but I don’t see it that way at all. What I watched and saw was an unhealthy, co-dependent attachment between two people who were never taught, so never knew, how to communicate or set boundaries.

Ha-eun suppresses everything she feels out of fear of abandonment, while Mi-so takes up all the emotional space, crossing boundaries without consequence. It's then somehow romanticised and regarded as profound but it creates an imbalance which is damaging. Their bond feels intense, but intensity alone doesn’t make something meaningful or healthy.
The idea that they are each other’s “home” is also misleading. It only feels that way because neither of them had the emotional support or guidance to develop healthy relationships elsewhere. Their bond is framed as a deep understanding of each other, but in reality, it's two people reinforcing each other’s unmet needs.

While the movie captures the emotional weight of their connection, it fails to challenge the toxicity of it. There’s no real accountability, no intervention, and no clarity that what we’re watching is harmful. That makes the “beautiful” label particularly problematic, especially for younger audiences who may confuse emotional intensity with love or value.

In the end, I feel this movie is not a beautiful story but a tragic one. It's a portrayal of the consequences of people clinging to each other without the tools to grow, communicate, or let go.