Watch 20th Century Girl

20th Century Girl is a South Korean film that was released in 2022. It is a coming-of-age romantic drama that delves into the complexities of friendship, first love, and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia. Directed by Bang Woo-ri, the film stars popular South Korean actress Kim Yoo-jung in a lead role, playing the part of a spirited and lovable high school girl named Na Bo-ra. She is accompanied by a talented ensemble including Byeon Woo-seok and Park Jung-woo. Though there are credits for Han Hyo-joo and Harrison Xu, they do not appear to be primary cast members and might be the result of a confusion or misattribution.

Set in 1999, at the tail end of the 20th century, the movie revolves around Na Bo-ra's high school life and her experiences as a teenager growing up in Seoul at a time when the world was on the cusp of a new millennium. The film expertly captures the essence of the era, with a heavy focus on the actual cultural and technological backdrop which includes the use of pagers, analog cameras, and VHS tapes. This meticulous attention to detail provides a nostalgic canvas for the audience, evoking a sense of warmth and familiarity, especially for those who lived through the period.

In the center of Bo-ra's universe is her tight-knit friendship with Yeon-du, portrayed by Roh Yoon-seo. This vivid portrayal of teenage friendship is filled with heartfelt moments that encapsulate the innocence and intensity of young, platonic love. Their bond is tested and strengthened as they navigate the highs and lows of adolescence together.

Another central element of 20th Century Girl is the exploration of first love, with Bo-ra becoming inadvertently entangled in a complex web of affection and emotion. The romantic aspects of the film are both poignant and realistic, steering clear of overly dramatic tropes. Instead, the film gives us a more nuanced and subtler take on the thrills and heartaches that come with such tender experiences.

The plot unfolds as Bo-ra takes on the role of a self-appointed Cupid for her best friend Yeon-du. She embarks on this mission to help Yeon-du learn more about her secret crush. The movie expertly weaves humor into its narrative through Bo-ra's charmingly awkward detective work. Her quest leads to several humorous and endearing encounters, painting a vivid picture of youth and the lengths one will go for a friend. It's through this journey that Bo-ra's life becomes intertwined with two boys: Baek Hyun-jin played by Byeon Woo-seok, and Poong Woon-ho portrayed by Park Jung-woo. The dynamics and relationships that develop provide the central emotional thrust for the story.

While much of the movie is lighthearted and comedic, it does not shy away from the more pensive and reflective moments typical of the genre. 20th Century Girl addresses the themes of growing up, coping with change, and the melancholic realization that some moments and some people are ephemeral, passing out of our lives almost as quickly as they entered.

The narrative is heightened by the film's soundtrack, a thoughtful mix of contemporary hits and sentimental tunes that not only resonate with the time period but also underscore the emotional beats of the film. From the joys of carefree school days to the inevitable heartbreaks, this combination of visuals and music powerfully evokes the nostalgia central to the film's appeal.

An interesting feature of 20th Century Girl is its deft use of storytelling mechanics, utilizing flash-forwards to provide glimpses of the characters' futures. While the primary narrative remains firmly rooted in the past, these future echoes serve to remind the audience of the persistent nature of our formative experiences and how they shape who we become.

As a production, the film pays close attention to period-appropriate fashion, technology, and lingo, showcasing an immersive level of detail. The color palette, costuming, and set design all contribute to an authentic re-creation of late-90s South Korea, which should transport viewers back in time—or introduce younger viewers to a vividly reimagined past.

Overall, 20th Century Girl presents a heartfelt love letter to the past, celebrating the innocence of youth and the indelible mark it leaves on our lives. It is both an ode to the magic of nostalgia and a recognition of the pain that sometimes shadows it. Through evocative storytelling, engaging performances, and poignant direction, the film manages to capture both the specifics of Korean adolescence at the turn of the millennium and the universal emotions tied to growing up, making it a moving watch for a wide audience.

20th Century Girl is a 2022 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.