Duration: 2 hrs 2 mins
This is a Korean movie starring Jung Hae-in and Kim Go-eun as the main leads, which was released in 2019 and is available on Netflix.
Introduction about the leads:
Both Hae-in and Go-eun have starred in multiple K-dramas, both as supporting actors initially and then as the main leads. Jung Hae-in is popular for his role in dramas like ‘Something in the Rain’ and ‘While you were Sleeping’, whereas Kim Go-eun has been famous for dramas like ‘Goblin’, ‘Cheese in the Trap’ and ‘The King’. This is the first time they have collaborated for a movie but before this Hae-in had appeared in a cameo role in ‘Goblin’ K-drama, in which Go-eun was the female lead.
The movie synopsis:
The movie starts in 1994, with Hyun-woo entering Mi-soo’s Bakery looking for a tofu or soya item and on his way out he notices an Ad and joins the shop as a part-timer. Gradually it is revealed that Hyun-woo is a school dropout, who went to Juvenile prison for accidentally pushing his classmate. He shares with Mi-soo about the radio program he used to listen during the prison days and how a miracle (change in the radio show host)made him believe that he should give life another chance. One day Hyun-woo’s old friends show up on Christmas day at the bakery and he leaves the place with them.
The next phase starts in 1997 when the two of them meet by chance in front of Miso Bakery but only for a short while. Mi-soo has completed her college and became a mature girl, who is going to start her job soon. Whereas, Hyun-woo continued his studies and was going to join the Military service the next day. However, the two decided not to let the opportunity pass like last time and decided to spend the night together at Mi-soo’s place. They realized having feelings for each other and decided to keep in touch via email, but due to a blunder that did not happen. As days pass, the two keep on missing each other, it seems like fate has other plans for them.
The next scene is in 2000, Mi-soo is working on her computer and suddenly receives an email from Hyun-woo, he finally discovered the password. This is my favorite scene, the way both of them get excited after connecting through the mail and later the phone call brought a smile to my face. However, this reunion is cut short again because of a mishap, which of neither of their faults. It broke my heart to see the two struggling to connect, made me realize how lucky we are in this tech-savvy generation.
Five years had passed, Mi-soo was in a better place in her career and met Hyun-woo again by chance. He is renting her old place and this time they decide to catch-up on all the years they have lost. They finally expressed their feelings, but everything was conveyed through their emotions, not a word was spoken. The next morning they behaved like teenagers in love, holding hands, giggling for no reason, falling asleep together. Shortly after, Hyun-woo gets a call from an old friend to meet, for their deceased friend’s death anniversary. This is the first time it’s shown, with how much guilt and regrets Hyun-woo has been living through all these years. He tried to forget his past, tried to become a better person but still, the regret got the better of him. When Mi-soo finds out about his past, he freaks out and goes to confront his friend, they have a heated argument and end up fighting each other. Mi-soo leaves Hyun-woo but when she hears her name on the radio as one of the people who is being missed by someone, she finds herself running back to Hyun-woo.
Overall, I give the movie a 9/10 solely for its story and the vibe. The movie seems to be a bit slow, but I guess that’s how it was supposed to be, to make the audience get the feel. The ‘radio show’ was an important part, the movie started around it and gradually led to a happy ending for the couple. Hae-in and Go-eun had done similar roles like this in other K-dramas but the couple as a whole made us believe in their long and longing :)
