koreannatic

The story of Lovesick follows Ye Zijie, a troubled student who, in an attempt to escape academic pressure and family problems, decides to fake an illness. At the same time, we meet Ye Zijie, the strict yet mysterious class president (who, curiously, shares his name), and who soon begins to suspect his deception.

At first, I wasn’t fond of the female lead’s behavior. Her blunt, almost hostile attitude feels jarring, so much so that it’s hard to imagine anyone acting like that in real life. Yet, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that this sharpness is part of her character’s evolution.

Director Fu-Hsiang Hsu skillfully avoids falling into the trap of exaggerated melodrama. Rather than leaning on the usual clichés of romance films to force empathy, he allows the story to unfold naturally, revealing the characters with both their flaws and their strengths. This choice makes their connection feel far more genuine, and therefore, much more powerful.

Ultimately, Lovesick is a film about acceptance, not only of illness or circumstance, but also of oneself. By confronting and exposing their vulnerabilities, the characters learn to love themselves and discover strength within their fragility. It is precisely this courage, this bravery to be seen as they truly are, that makes the film’s message resonate so deeply.