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.
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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