Just finished watching this movie...it was in my bucket list of must watch, as I like Wallace Huo’s acting. Same here, his acting never seems to fail any viewers... : )
This movie’s flow & content somehow does reminds me of The Classic’s feel (one of korean movie—melodrama but a must watch if you’re a fan of romance genre!) whereby the main content of the story (FL & ML’s love story) slowly unfolds when the younger generation discover their parents’ love for each other. Only difference is The Classic’s ends differently, of course!
This open ending by the director leaves us somewhat yearning for more, I finished watching with some wetted tissue by my heartfelt tears as the story touches my heart. Very well scripted and directed, as it brings us viewers into their memories, into their love story. Enjoyed most scenes where the emotions were heavily expressed by FL & ML as they try hard to hold onto their love for each other, while also holding onto their promises to their family & friends. Even the scene where 2nd FL & 2nd ML together reading out their parent’s love phrases from the old album was so touching (to me) and the words used just hit my tear point once again as can feel with their story line. Austin did a great job here, although his character having limited exploration in terms of storyline but he nailed it well!
Definitely a must watch if you’re a romance genre fanatic like me. Lol...Enjoy~!
When she gets beaten up and getting raped by his husband is so painful to watch :'(
thanks for your concern. my bestie is fine nw as tht happened to her yrs ago. she ran off with her kids & filed for divorce. nw she had found her 2nd love and living happily, just re-married last yr. Reckon life does have second chance if only have the guts to just go for it! : )
exactly! Kinda a little tweak of Summer Time (ST) script...but then again, ST had the female lead and male lead loving each other despite ended tragically with death. while this movie had both leads surviving until the very end but they aren’t actually in love with one another. Hmm...TBH not quite sure which script is better in terms of plotline & ending...
When she gets beaten up and getting raped by his husband is so painful to watch :'(
this is sad, female lead actually keep being tortured by her husband but couldn’t have the courage to leave as her baby still small. It somehow reminds me of one of my bestie, her husband also abuse her until one fine day he nearly murdered her and she decided to call it quits. Wish the female lead was strong enough to stand up for herself, but then again it would change the entire script if she’s independent enough to run.
One thing I like abt this movie is tht it is quite real in the sense that given such situation both male lead (ML) & female (FL) is really difficult to stay together until the very end as life needs to go on realistically, no matter how much they may love & miss each other. When they’re apart from each other (in the ending), they somehow seem to draw greater strengths to carry on with life as by knowing/ assuming the other party is probably living a better life encourages them to do better and not to let the other party down.
Personally, I feel FL did a great job in portraying this character as I do have a very close relative who’s an orphan at a very young age who is also as calm and seldom utter many words (less expressive) and yet tends to read a lot since reading materials brings not only knowledge but happiness & joy within. FL’s mixed emotions is subtly released out in scenes when he’s with ML. Really appreciate her acting as I’ve been noticing her since her great acting in Familiar Wife.
One thing I didn’t quite understand is why did director fast forward to 5years being rushed on that a lot of detailed character development not being properly addressed. How did ML got back together with his back-then-not-so-official-but-nearly-slept-with-her gf? How can FL afford to have a car without any hint on how she managed to make a living on her own?
One more thing, so the prior to ending scenes revealed the front window of her room (with reading/ study table) isn’t actually facing outdoor but towards a cemented/ grey painted brick wall—in this case, earlier scene whereby it showed her seeing some shadows with beaming light/ fire is solely her imagination right? Is the director trying to show her imagining things out of the blue, as this is the first scene addressing her hallucinations, maybe? At first I thot she’s seeing the ghost/ shadow of the old grandma since she mentioned to ML having seen her lighting up fire to keep warm in the yard but doesn’t enter the house. Not quite sure what director wants to portray at this scene, though.
I have a question, how did she get a car? she doesnt work, I doubt it would be provided to her by the special…
TBH, I too find it rather strange why suddenly fast forward to 5yrs and she’s more open-minded (no longer ‘trapped’ in her home).
I haven’t watched the said original version (Japanese) but for this Korean version I think the director is really trying hard to prove she’s somewhat independent despite no longer being with him. So, having the ability to have own transportation is one way or rather to show her obvious changes in life. A bit too rush on this part since it’s lacking of development on how did she manage to cope with such changes and how the transformation even begun!
It’s a beautiful story told on a pace tht’s most suitable to be watched after midnight and maybe on a rainy day where we don’t want to go out and probably feeling tired to binge watch another drama series. My first try to watched it (just 15mins+) was unsuccessful as I can’t go into the movie pace & mood, and thanks to the good reviews below I’ve decided to give it another try today (it’s past midnight, rained almost whole day—feeling cozy under my blankets with a hot tea) and indeed this movie isn’t bad at all.
But also if weren’t for main cast’s good acting skills and popularity (yes, I enjoyed JHI’s acting in Something In The Rain, and KGE in Coin Locker Girl & Goblin) maybe I might not have stayed on this until the end.
This movie does a good job in expressing the aftermath experience of a juvenile convict after released from the Centre and how he tries to cope with the society, trying to move on in life. But the sideline supporting characters (such as her Aunt/ elder sis—that’s what our FL calls her despite she’s just her late mother’s bestie; and her boss) aren’t as well developed at all, with just some random insights to their lives and how it entwines with our main leads. It does surprises me as this movie is 2hrs and yet not enough time to build a stronger background of supporting characters and just briefly fitted in by pieces.
However, do appreciate the background setting of the 90’s, a good point back then where everybody can be lost contact if not for the emailing and then later is the mobile phone (indeed one of world’s best invention!) which makes me appreciate our current world even more!
Being a fan of drama & movies relating to parallel world, turn-back-time, I’ve watched quite a handful of dramas & movies of this genre (Familiar Wife, Go Back Couple, Somehow 18, and many others non Korean ones from China, HK, Hollywood, etc) but I do somehow find this drama, 18 Again, being more well scripted in the sense that we can really learn something for every main & sub characters in here. Movies are usually too short to standout so many characters within just a few hours but this drama does a good job on it. Really appreciate how the script is being written and how the story is being edited to unfold to us audience the meaning of love, life and loss which probably everyone can resonate with it. And most importantly IMHO it isn’t draggy as every scene contributes to the character & storyline development.
And of course when watching this genre of drama/ movie, there’s no need to be too logical on the youth transformation mechanism but just sit back and enjoy the show with your heart and certainly would be able to bring back some message which it did for me and some enlightenment to my daily life.
P.S. Pls remember to get ready with some tissue while watching this...I’ve binge watched it during the weekends and really got carried away with their emotions flow, indeed great acting skills! ??
I‘m from Europe as well and the train tickets were to another destination in the Czech Republic from my understanding.…
Thanks for sharing. Not noticed the destination in the movie didn’t actually reach to China and only Czech Republic like you mentioned—glad you pointed it out. Yup, Orient Express only available in Europe (of course that includes Czech)...ive checked it out online, the train that goes to Asia doesn’t seem to start operating yet back then (if not mistaken, the China Orient Express had launched its first trip only in 1985, along the Silk Road.)
This is a good slow pacing movie for those who enjoys watching simplicity meets with intriguing questions of boundaries between man and woman, and if professionalism is also brought in altogether...does it or doesn’t it equates to love (and what type/ kind of love).
I can’t help but clicking to watch as in today’s society many things are rented for the sake of convenience and sometimes for reasons unknown to others....there’s even funeral ‘mourning attendees’ (if there’a a better word for it, please share!) so renting a friend isn’t really a taboo but something we can ponder on.
IMHO, I don’t think it would have a different answer, other than YES (due to scientific logics man & woman prolonged time being together will surely have some kind of hormone/ chemical reaction that inevitably links to love) but this movie lure us into thinking what IF it is really possible.
I sorta knew the director might make it an open-ended closing since that’s the only way of how to beautifully end it (to me, this isn’t a topic that could have a clear cut closure) while leaving more room for viewers’ imaginations. This movie does live up to my enjoyment while watching as most Jmovie & Jdrama endings aren’t really having any concrete answer/ ending to their storyline since anything about LIFE itself is an open ended topic as we continue to live on exploring more.
i don’t know if you’re still interested to know my point of view since it’s been a couple month but from…
Many thanks for reply...it’s not how long the reply is made, is that you care to reply whenever possible. I nearly forgot the scene where they all played the eye contest (it is rather strange for grown ups to play such kiddo games so I completely forgotten about it!) yes she’s talking directly to us viewers if we were in her shoes, possibly we would be doing the same...so in other words don’t judge her. That’s so true. And IMHO once a liar will always be a liar because the previous successful attempt to lying to all 3 of them would make her have the tendency to continue being so. What I mean is...she has no offense (nothing against them) nor any ill intentions towards them but guess she’s just couldn’t let go any of them. I suddenly feel I can resonate with her.
1 
This movie’s flow & content somehow does reminds me of The Classic’s feel (one of korean movie—melodrama but a must watch if you’re a fan of romance genre!) whereby the main content of the story (FL & ML’s love story) slowly unfolds when the younger generation discover their parents’ love for each other. Only difference is The Classic’s ends differently, of course!
This open ending by the director leaves us somewhat yearning for more, I finished watching with some wetted tissue by my heartfelt tears as the story touches my heart. Very well scripted and directed, as it brings us viewers into their memories, into their love story. Enjoyed most scenes where the emotions were heavily expressed by FL & ML as they try hard to hold onto their love for each other, while also holding onto their promises to their family & friends. Even the scene where 2nd FL & 2nd ML together reading out their parent’s love phrases from the old album was so touching (to me) and the words used just hit my tear point once again as can feel with their story line. Austin did a great job here, although his character having limited exploration in terms of storyline but he nailed it well!
Definitely a must watch if you’re a romance genre fanatic like me. Lol...Enjoy~!
Personally, I feel FL did a great job in portraying this character as I do have a very close relative who’s an orphan at a very young age who is also as calm and seldom utter many words (less expressive) and yet tends to read a lot since reading materials brings not only knowledge but happiness & joy within. FL’s mixed emotions is subtly released out in scenes when he’s with ML. Really appreciate her acting as I’ve been noticing her since her great acting in Familiar Wife.
One thing I didn’t quite understand is why did director fast forward to 5years being rushed on that a lot of detailed character development not being properly addressed. How did ML got back together with his back-then-not-so-official-but-nearly-slept-with-her gf? How can FL afford to have a car without any hint on how she managed to make a living on her own?
One more thing, so the prior to ending scenes revealed the front window of her room (with reading/ study table) isn’t actually facing outdoor but towards a cemented/ grey painted brick wall—in this case, earlier scene whereby it showed her seeing some shadows with beaming light/ fire is solely her imagination right? Is the director trying to show her imagining things out of the blue, as this is the first scene addressing her hallucinations, maybe? At first I thot she’s seeing the ghost/ shadow of the old grandma since she mentioned to ML having seen her lighting up fire to keep warm in the yard but doesn’t enter the house. Not quite sure what director wants to portray at this scene, though.
I haven’t watched the said original version (Japanese) but for this Korean version I think the director is really trying hard to prove she’s somewhat independent despite no longer being with him. So, having the ability to have own transportation is one way or rather to show her obvious changes in life. A bit too rush on this part since it’s lacking of development on how did she manage to cope with such changes and how the transformation even begun!
But also if weren’t for main cast’s good acting skills and popularity (yes, I enjoyed JHI’s acting in Something In The Rain, and KGE in Coin Locker Girl & Goblin) maybe I might not have stayed on this until the end.
This movie does a good job in expressing the aftermath experience of a juvenile convict after released from the Centre and how he tries to cope with the society, trying to move on in life. But the sideline supporting characters (such as her Aunt/ elder sis—that’s what our FL calls her despite she’s just her late mother’s bestie; and her boss) aren’t as well developed at all, with just some random insights to their lives and how it entwines with our main leads. It does surprises me as this movie is 2hrs and yet not enough time to build a stronger background of supporting characters and just briefly fitted in by pieces.
However, do appreciate the background setting of the 90’s, a good point back then where everybody can be lost contact if not for the emailing and then later is the mobile phone (indeed one of world’s best invention!) which makes me appreciate our current world even more!
And of course when watching this genre of drama/ movie, there’s no need to be too logical on the youth transformation mechanism but just sit back and enjoy the show with your heart and certainly would be able to bring back some message which it did for me and some enlightenment to my daily life.
P.S. Pls remember to get ready with some tissue while watching this...I’ve binge watched it during the weekends and really got carried away with their emotions flow, indeed great acting skills! ??
I can’t help but clicking to watch as in today’s society many things are rented for the sake of convenience and sometimes for reasons unknown to others....there’s even funeral ‘mourning attendees’ (if there’a a better word for it, please share!) so renting a friend isn’t really a taboo but something we can ponder on.
IMHO, I don’t think it would have a different answer, other than YES (due to scientific logics man & woman prolonged time being together will surely have some kind of hormone/ chemical reaction that inevitably links to love) but this movie lure us into thinking what IF it is really possible.
I sorta knew the director might make it an open-ended closing since that’s the only way of how to beautifully end it (to me, this isn’t a topic that could have a clear cut closure) while leaving more room for viewers’ imaginations. This movie does live up to my enjoyment while watching as most Jmovie & Jdrama endings aren’t really having any concrete answer/ ending to their storyline since anything about LIFE itself is an open ended topic as we continue to live on exploring more.
Enjoy watching ^^