“Wait just a bit longer. I’ll go see you soon. I want to see you, Bora of the 21st century.”
In a world now structured around instant messages and online connections, the 2022 South Korean coming-of-age romance ‘20th Century Girl’ takes viewers on a bittersweet trip down memory lane to the late 1990s, an era of pagers, mixtapes, and handwritten love letters. The heartfelt and emotionally moving film, starring Kim Yoo-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, and Roh Yoon-seo, follows the journey of a spirited and devoted high school girl who finds herself entangled in the bittersweet rollercoaster of first love and unbreakable friendship.
Movie : 20th Century Girl
Where to watch: Netflix
Cast: Kim Yoo-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo, and Roh Yeon-seo
Written by: Bang Woo-ri
Directed by: Bang Woo-ri
The Plot
Set in 1999, ‘20th Century Girl’ centers around 17-year-old Na Bo-ra (played by Kim Yoo-jung), a lively and kind-hearted high school student whose best friend, Yeon-du (played by Roh Yoon-seo), travels to the U.S. for heart surgery and asks Bo-ra to check in on her crush. Mistaking Baek Hyun-jin (played by Park Jung-woo) for the boy in question, Bo-ra befriends his close friend Poong Woon-ho (played by Byeon Woo-seok) to learn more about him. However, she unexpectedly develops feelings for Woon-ho, and he falls for her too.
But when Yeon-du returns, Bo-ra learns the truth: Woon-ho was actually her real crush, not Hyun-jin. Now torn between friendship and love, Bo-ra tries to hide her feelings, but Yeon-du, being a loyal friend, encourages her to follow her heart and confess to Woon-ho.
Just as Bo-ra and Woon-ho open up about their love, he moves to New Zealand. For a while, they kept in touch through letters and emails, until one day, Woon-ho suddenly stopped responding, leaving Bo-ra heartbroken.
Years later, in 2019, Bo-ra receives an invitation to an art exhibition from Woon-ho’s younger brother, Joseph. There, she learns the heartbreaking truth: Woon-ho had tragically passed away years ago. Joseph then gives her a video that Woon-ho had made for her, filled with their precious memories. As Bo-ra watches it, she’s overcome with emotion, realizing how deeply and sincerely their short-lived love had stayed with both of them.
The Characters
Na Bo-ra (played by Kim Yoo-jung)
Bo-ra is a bright, headstrong high school girl who is fiercely loyal to her best friend. When her best friend leaves for heart surgery in the U.S., Bo-ra promises to keep an eye on her crush, Baek Hyun-jin. Determined to help her friend win the boy she loves, Bo-ra joins the Broadcasting Club and takes notes on his every move. But as she grows closer to his best friend, Poong Woon-ho, Bo-ra finds herself unexpectedly falling in love.
Poong Woon-ho (played by Byeon Woo-seok)
Woon-ho is Hyun-jin’s best friend and a fellow member of the Broadcasting Club. He is the first to pick up on Bo-ra’s odd behavior and becomes curious about her. As they spend more time together, he’s drawn to her genuine charm and eventually falls in love with her.
Baek Hyun-jin (played by Park Jung-woo)
A charismatic, charming, and popular student, Hyun-jin is the original subject of Bo-ra’s investigation. He is amused by her over-the-top antics and forms an unexpected friendship with her.
Kim Yeon-du (played by Roh Yoon-seo)
Yeon-du is Bo-ra’s closest friend, who leaves for overseas treatment due to a critical heart condition. Despite her health challenges, her mind remains occupied with the boy she secretly has feelings for. Her deep friendship with Bo-ra is defined by mutual trust, warmth, and the unwavering support they show one another.
Why ‘20th Century Girl’ Captured Hearts?
- A collection of nostalgic moments: The film transports viewers directly to the late 1990s with vivid details from old-school pagers and payphones to classic school uniforms, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia for the ’90s era, especially for those who lived through it.
- Heartfelt storytelling: At its core, the movie is a tender and beautiful portrayal of teenage friendship, innocent crushes, and the bittersweet nature of first love. Its emotional depth strikes a chord with viewers of all ages.
- Authentic characters: The sincerity and authenticity of each character, whether it’s the vibrant and earnest Bo-ra, the lovestruck Woon-ho, or the loyal and selfless Yeon-du, allow audiences to deeply connect with their emotional journeys, making every joy and heartbreak feel personal.
- The startling twist: The movie’s unexpected ending delivers an emotional blow with a tragic revelation that lingers long after the credits roll, turning a sweet coming-of-age love story into something deeply moving and heart-wrenching.
- Impactful performances: The cast received acclaim for their natural, heartfelt, and emotionally rich performances. Their chemistry and range brought to life the raw emotions of youth, friendship, love, heartbreak, and loss.
- A universal theme: Though rooted in a specific time, place, and culture, the themes of friendship, longing, and growing up resonate universally. This relatability contributed to the film’s success among global audiences on platforms like Netflix.
‘20th Century Girl’ isn’t just a nostalgic teen drama, but a deeply touching tale of radiant youth, fleeting teenage love, enduring friendship, and bitter heartbreak. Blending innocence with sorrow, it reminds us that even a brief encounter can shape us forever. Through its emotional and intense storytelling and timeless themes, the movie leaves a lasting impression, making it a remarkable coming-of-age gem that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Written by – Mansha Chauhan
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