Dreaming or not?
Great movie! A great action\Science Fiction movie with a small touch of romance.Only in the end scene i was confused.
The visuals were stunning and the music good.
The acting was very good.
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great movie
My brother was a really touching movie. As someone who has started watching Korean films not long ago, I was surprised to see a very young Kim Hae Sook. I’m used to seeing her as the grandmother in the shows I’ve watched, so it was quite remarkable to discover older films and see the actors in their younger days.The story beautifully represents brotherly love, illustrating how, despite fighting, you will always love your siblings even if you aren’t speaking to them.
I anticipated the sad moments, thinking they wouldn’t affect me, but the actors delivered their performances so well that I found myself crying nonstop. Also, I want to mention Shin Ha Kyun, who plays such compelling characters. Each time he appeared on screen, I was brought to tears, he is so good with delivering emotions though screen.
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This review may contain spoilers
Cried a river and the ending left my jaw on the floor
When I first started this drama, I had no idea what the story was about. I was intrigued by the title and was completely taken by surprise by what unfolded. The story is both heartbreaking and empowering. Be prepared to have plenty of tissues on hand because this movie will make you cry every few minutes.What struck me the most was that, despite receiving a terrible diagnosis and having only a few months to live, Futaba's main concern is her family and their future. She faces numerous challenges and goes beyond words to ensure they are prepared to live without her. I have always found it hard to understand how someone can be so selfless and love another person so deeply, putting them above oneself. Perhaps that’s what makes mothers incredible.
**Spoilers***
Another fascinating aspect is that all the characters represent different stages of Futaba's own life, and that's why she understands what they are going through. As a way to console her younger self, she attempts to give them what she never received herself.
Futaba was abandoned as a child, and her mother never came back for her, so she knows firsthand the pain of being left behind. When she married Sachino, whose wife left him with their daughter (Azumi), Futaba took Azumi in as her own and cared for her deeply, as if she were her own daughter. She never treated Azumi differently or let her or us suspect that she wasn’t her biological child; instead, she considered her as her own blood.
When the truth was revealed that Azumi was not her biological child, I was genuinely surprised by the depth of Futaba's love for her. Seeing how much she pushed Azumi to be strong and loved her, it was impossible to even imagine they are not blood-tied. At the same time, she empathized with Azumi's mother's situation, which is why she made sure Azumi learned sign language so they could communicate if Azumi ever wanted to reach out to her biological mother. This act of love deeply touched me and made me realize how much Futaba must have loved Azumi to endure the pain of letting her learn sign language for that possible future encounter.
Not only did Futaba give unwavering love to Azumi, but she also encouraged Azumi to be strong and stand tall against those who were abusing her. She helped her understand that when problems come, she should not hide but stand tall to face a difficult situation with confidence and dignity.
When Azumi's biological father left her and Azumi, she could have walked away since Azumi was not her biological child, but she chose to stay and endure immense pain. When she encountered her husband again and learned he had another child, she welcomed that child, who was also abandoned by her biological mother, into her home, offering her the same love and care she had given Azumi because she understood what it meant to be neglected.
Another story that struck me is when she met backpacker Takumi, who also experienced neglect and was a lost child. She recognized in him a hurt kid, and when she embraced him like a mother, she gave him something he likely never received. She offered him purpose and encouraged him to return to see her, giving him that sense of being wanted.
So each one of them goes through things Futaba herself experienced, and rather than let them be alone in pain, she tries to help them overcome those difficult feelings and guide them to overcome it all.
It is incredibly touching to witness Futaba’s unwavering effort to help everyone around her, even as she prepares them to live independently after her passing. It breaks my heart to know that she is helping them heal their traumas and become self-sufficient so that the transition is less painful when she is gone. This, too, is an expression of love that I could not comprehend.
Something remarkable about the story is how family can go beyond blood ties. Despite being the least connected person by blood to those around her, Futaba loves them more than many biological parents love their children. She is an example of how, truly, a mother’s love is beyond words.
This movie was profoundly moving and painful; I cried a river while watching it. Even now, reflecting on it brings tears to my eyes. It's probably one of the best pieces of screenwriting I’ve seen in a while, and it’s no wonder it received so much recognition.
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super cute! but not a great adaptation. [very long]
i'm currently re-reading the manga for the first time in about 10 years. i was thinking "the only thing missing about this is a 2000s jdrama adaptation that takes itself way too seriously" and i stumbled upon this. so allow me to make a couple comments:1. as a lolita myself, the amount of btssb all over this movie had me close to fainting. i saw a girl holding an usakumya plush and then i look up at her face and see that it's MISAKO MF AOKI HERSELF. i couldn't find the name of the dress akira wears to sneak into the girls' school (i'm not as familiar with btssb/aatp catalog as i am with angelic pretty) but i DID see that baby collabed with pullip to produce a doll of him??? insane collector's piece i fear it's on my lolita grail list right next to milky-chan the fawn jsk. i adored seeing so much of this fashion that's so near and dear to my heart. however, i do still kind of wish that more masculine looking women had been cast to play blaue rosen.........the manga makes quite a point that mizuki is often mistaken for and treated as if she's a man, and while the actress cast to play her was very cute and expressive, i really don't find that she fit the bill appearance wise. however, i do find that akira's actor was quite well cast, he's decently androgynous-looking for the role and i think he pulled it off well. he also looks great in a jsk and otk socks lmao.
2. if you're looking for a faithful adaptation to the manga, this is not it. i kept waiting and waiting on the topic of kaoru moving overseas and the band breaking up to become a topic, since this is quite literally what propels the plot in the manga. kaoru moving away is the driving force that brings akira to mizuki in the first place, which then leads to the plot of him joining the band as their new vocalist. like i'm actually shocked that out of all the parts of this movie that were faithful to the manga, the primary plot of the entire story was completely omitted. i'd understand taking out some parts for time constraints, but i feel like SO much of the story was changed that it doesn't exactly feel recognizable. if you're okay with viewing it as it's own separate media independent of the manga, then go ahead. but if you want a good adaptation, maybe skip it.
3. i find that compared to the manga, many parts of the story were quite sanitized for a lower age rating. for example, in the scene where ran discovers mizuki is a girl, the manga has him jumping on her and tearing her clothes open quite violently. whereas in the film, i believe it's a bit of an ouran situation of him accidentally feeling her chest. seeing as the film is much more comedic in tone than the manga which takes itself quite seriously, i can see why this was done, and i do appreciate it a bit for being more tasteful than the manga. there's actually quite a bit of sexual theming and serious topics such as assault/harassment in the manga (seeing as the target demographic is adult women rather than teens or young girls), so the choice to omit these for a light-hearted romcom feels more appropriate and respectful than if it hadn't been.
in conclusion, i really did love this movie, it was really cute and fun and sweet and the music blaue rosen played in universe is exactly what i pictured while reading the manga! that being said, the manga is MUCH different in tone, and while i'd advise to use discretion regarding the topics of sexual harassment and such, it really is a great read. i'd strongly recommend it to anyone who's a fan of josei romance like nana or paradise kiss. i feel like it's one from its era that tends to get overlooked quite a bit.
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how can a short show be this meaningful
I start this show because I love my journey to you so I started to watch other this director work and honestly this doesn’t disappoint me . It’s short but there is a whole story in it . I love this director work . He always add some amazing phrase in it here ^ no one is innocent in this world ^ . I can’t wait to watch his other work. This Wuxia show is well written for it 37 minutes long . it’s hard for me to explain it as my understanding because of my poor English. This show is mainly about the person who was treated as tool forever finally feel important and get treated as a person for the first time in so long .Was this review helpful to you?
My May Recommendation movie
Watched this because the recommendation challenge by 𝑫𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒐…For once the synopsis from MDL is true to its point. So I'm not gonna write another one....
What I like / appreciate:
+ The beautiful & very aesthetics and cinematography. For you who love this kind of cinematography will gonna love this.
+ The character is really interesting. Despite their spouse infidelity, they still find the strength to avoid the same mistake nor they seek revenge.
What I don't like:
- I found this quite boring & very uninterested
- kinda wait for a little confrontation between chou & su & their couple... But it's not happening, for me making it more boring ..
Overall this a good movie for those who fond with this kind of story telling or cinematography. But once more this is not for me...
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I NEED MORE PARK JINYOUNG IN ACTION MOVIE
Park Jinyoung stands out with his natural presence in an action-heavy narrative. He doesn't try to overpower the scenes, but instead fits seamlessly into the fast-paced spy world. His subtle reactions and controlled expressions make the character feel realistic. It’s a quietly effective performance.Was this review helpful to you?
PARK JINYOUNG DUAL-ROLE???
Park Jinyoung truly elevates Christmas Carol with his dual-role performance. He creates a clear emotional separation between the twins while keeping both characters equally compelling. His ability to balance and differentiate them without overacting is very impressive. It’s a performance that feels both controlled and powerful.Was this review helpful to you?
THE VILLAIN IS HOT!!!!
Park Jinyoung absolutely steals attention in Hi-Five with his portrayal of a dangerously charming villain. His presence alone feels powerful, and the way he controls his emotions adds a layer of unpredictability. He makes the character feel both attractive and intimidating at the same time. It’s a performance that keeps you hooked whenever he appears.Was this review helpful to you?
I fell in love with park jinyoung!!
Park Jinyoung delivers a solid performance in an action-spy setting, showing a more intense and focused side of his acting. He balances intelligence and tension well, making his character feel grounded even in high-stakes situations. His controlled expressions and sharp delivery add credibility to the role. It’s a performance that fits perfectly within the fast-paced narrative.Was this review helpful to you?
Actor Park Jinyoung bright future
Watching Christmas Carol, it’s hard not to be impressed by how Park Jinyoung portrays twins with such distinct identities. His control over subtle details—like eye expression and emotional tone—makes each character feel real. The contrast never feels forced, which shows how deeply he understands the roles. It’s a standout performance.Was this review helpful to you?
PARK JINYOUNG ACTED SO WELL
Hi-Five really proves how versatile Park Jinyoung is, especially as a villain. He brings this cool, controlled intensity that makes his character both dangerous and oddly captivating. There’s a sharp charisma in the way he carries himself, making every scene feel more charged. It’s hard not to be drawn to him, even when he’s playing the antagonist.Was this review helpful to you?
Here, it’s mainly told from the point of view of a young man, whose past hold a tragic event, and who finds not only solace in painting but also a new way forward in life.
As such, this film is less straightforward about showing and explaining the art of Sumi-E than “Every Day A Good Day”, which introduced us to the art of tea making,. I still loved the many close-ups of the brushes painting ink on the paper and the insight the film gave us into the art. The connection between human and nature is much more subtle than in “Every Day A Good Day” but it’s still obviously there. The subtlety also makes the film not obnoxious about the message it carries (unlike in “The Zen Diary”).
Another thing that I liked was that there was no romance at all. I feared that there would be when they introduced the young woman, who is only two years younger than Sosuke – but they connect over their art and their struggles, and it all stays very, very platonic. I would have liked it more if the film had placed Sosuke firmly in the “still a beginner” category and have her stay on a much higher lever of expertise in the ending scene (as it is, it feels too much like the tired trope of the man who starts as a beginner and supersedes the female teacher in the end) – I do think the script made it clear that they both have learned that it’s painting their own lines that’s more important than any outside appreciation, but it was nevertheless slightly disappointing for me.
Having Sosuke as the beginner who is still not in the lime light would also have been a better fit for his overall humble personality.
As always, whatever is on JFF Theater, is of high quality regarding filming, editing and acting and with great attention to detail. I admit, I was a bit distracted by Sosuke’s hair – but even here, the way it was styled reflected his state of mind.
Was it good?
It was! It had a good story with a clear emotional arc and still gave insight into the art of Sumi-E.
Did I like it?
Surprisingly, yes. I wasn’t too sure about the subject – painting is really not something I connect to and the “Spirit of Dō” collection and all JFF films that get philosophical can feel too overbearing very quickly for me. I even shed a tear or two.
Who would I recommend it to?
To painters and appreciators of painting. But with the caveat that one should be in the right mood for a slow film.
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This review may contain spoilers
A (mostly) good adaptation
I finally sat down and watched the film adaptation of Paradise Kiss, having read the manga and watched the anime many years ago. For the most part, it stayed true to the source material, which I highly appreciated. The original story is short and sweet just like the film, though it did feel a little rushed at times (in particular Yukari and George's relationship progress). Though I'm not normally a huge fashion person, the fashion aspects of this series were always very cool to me, and the film definitely lived up to it, too.I've never really liked George as a character; he was always too pushy, intense, and arrogant for my taste. So, if anything, I guess Osamu Mukai did a great job, because those feelings I have towards manga and anime George stayed the same while I watched the film. (Didn't like the almost-sexual-assault scene, though. I get what he was going for, but that was still a bit too much just to prove a point.) Still, despite my feelings re: George, his actor did a great job, and so did the others. My favourite portrayal was Keiko Kitagawa's as Yukari. I always watch live action film adaptations of anime and manga with a bit of scepticism, which might sound 'snobbish', but I've seen my fair share of awful ones to warrant keeping the suspicion around. That being said, the acting overall in this film convinced me that some manga-to-film adaptations can be good.
Oh, and I really adore the approach to and portrayal of Isabella here. In the anime, she's voiced by a woman, so it's a lot less obvious that she's trans until someone says she is and she then has the conversation towards the end of the series with Yukari. But in this film, they had Shunji Igarashi portray her (brilliantly, by the way) and properly convey the fact that she's trans, not shying away from the subject. I know people always say that only trans actors should play trans characters, and I can agree to *some* degree, but I still think there are ways for cis actors to respectfully portray trans characters. And that's what I saw in Paradise Kiss. The scene with her and Yukari before the fashion show made me cry in the anime and goddamnit, I cried again while watching the film.
It was a great watch, overall. Didn't overstay its welcome, held my attention from start to finish, and left me wiping tears off my face at the end. Will definitely rewatch.
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A young man is asleep at his desk with pieces of an action figure he is working on scattered around him. The film doesn’t say for sure what the young man’s issue is, whether it’s agoraphobia or another anxiety disorder, but it’s clear he’s highly uncomfortable being outside of his cluttered apartment. The only organized space is his bookcase of neatly ordered action figures he has assembled. When a delivery man haphazardly slides a package toward his door but not near it, our introvert is in a conundrum. In his endeavor to stay partially within his safe space and still retrieve his precious box, he accidentally locks himself outside. Thus begins his awkward and strangely pleasurable journey to the locksmith.
I found this short film soothing and refreshing. This young man was thrown into his worst fear and while there were negative experiences he was also shown kindness and had the chance to show kindness to another. Definitely worth ten minutes of your time. I only wish it had been longer, I would like to have seen if his forced adventure had any long-term healing on his life.
5 May 2026
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