I wasn't prepared for this movie to hit me the way it did. As a huge fan of coming-of-age, first-love movies and dramas, it has been a while since I watched a Korean film that struck me with mixed feelings of kilig, nostalgia, and heartbreak. I didn’t even know that 20th Century Girl is going to be released until I saw it all over my newsfeed. Seeing people's reactions to this movie made me so curious. I just had to watch (before I get totally spoiled, haha). And I don't regret watching it at all! In fact, as I write this, I have the urge to rewatch it right this moment. It's that good!
So, if you haven't watched 20th Century Girl yet and you want to know what it's about, read on. But *spoiler alert*: I couldn't help but touch on some important scenes (and I realized there are a lot!). Or if you have watched it, let's relive all the pure and heartwrenching moments together.
What is the plot of 20th Century Girl?
Set in 1999, high school student Na Bo Ra (Kim Yoo Jung) decides to make it her mission to find out information about Baek Hyun Jin (Park Jung Woo), the boy her best friend, Kim Yeon Doo (Roh Yoon Seo), has a crush on while Yeon Doo gets a heart surgery overseas. In the process, she becomes closer to Hyun Jin and his best friend, Poong Woon Ho (Byeon Woo Seok).
20th Century Girl transports us to the era of VHS tapes and pagers, and what it's like to build friendships and fall in love during that time. It will also remind you of the joys and pains of young love.
The 20th Century Girl cast members
1. Kim Yoo Jung as Na Bo Ra
The character: Energetic 17-year-old high school student, Na Bo Ra, is a fiercely loyal friend who volunteers to find out everything she can about her bestfriend’s crush while her bestfriend is away. She wholeheartedly puts herself to the task, even keeping a notebook where she jots down any kind of information she can get and auditioning for the broadcasting club just to get closer to him. The great lengths she goes through to fulfil her promise to her friend were sometimes hilarious and sometimes touching. And in the process, she learns what it’s like to fall in love for the first time. Na Bo Ra is probably one of the most lovable female characters of all the Korean movies I have watched.
The actress: Kim Yoo Jung started as a child actress and has built a solid career over the years. Who would forget her as Park Bo Gum's onscreen partner in Love In The Moonlight? With her refreshing visuals, Yoo Jung is perfect for the role of Na Bo Ra. She was able to express the complexities of Bo Ra’s emotions as the character experienced love, sacrifices, and growth. She was amazing in the train station scene, and you'll find yourself crying and laughing with her.
2. Byeon Woo Seok as Poong Woon Ho
The character: Baek Hyun Jin's best friend, Poong Woon Ho, is always by Hyun Jin's side so it's no surprise that he catches Na Bo Ra and her schemes to get interesting information about Hyun Jin. They work together in the broadcasting club, and he becomes closer to her in the process. There are times when he teases her and there are times when he helps her. But if you look closer, you will notice the little things he says and does for Bo Ra all throughout the movie. Woon Ho has once again set the standards high for male leads in Hallyu land.
The actor: Byeon Woo Seok debuted as a model in 2015 (his heigh is 6'2'!) and as an actor in 2016. He played minor roles in popular dramas like Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo and supporting roles in Search: WWW and Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency. He then got cast as one of the lead roles in Record Of Youth and Moonshine. Woo Seok played the role of Woon Ho with a balance of tenderness and mystery that will make you drawn to him. This was my first time watching him in a major role and I must say he will be in my list of actors that I’m keeping an eye on in the future!
3. Park Jung Woo as Baek Hyun Jin
The character: Everything started because of one name. And that name is Baek Hyun Jin. Na Bo Ra had her eyes laser-focused on him and it didn't take long for him to notice. His side comments and the way he teased Bo Ra were so funny. I actually enjoyed their dynamics as "classmates" a lot. He also proved he was a good friend to Woon Ho in the amusement park scene even though he did it in such a nonchalant way. It was thanks to him that Yeon Doo eventually started to realize some things. Thank you, Baek Hyun Jin!
The actor: If you're a Love Playlist web drama fan, you'll definitely recognize Park Jung Woo where he played the role of Kang Yoon. He also starred in the short film Spring Night, the drama series Team Bulldog: Off-Duty Investigation and Fly High Butterfly, and the web series D.P. With the success of 20th Century Girl, let's hope to see more of Park Jung Woo soon!
4. Roh Yoon Seo as Kim Yeon Doo
The character: Na Bo Ra's best friend, Kim Yeon Doo, had a heart condition which required her to get surgery overseas. We see her at the start of the film telling Bo Ra that she will not go abroad because she is afraid, she will never see the guy she fell in love with at first sight. She is used to Bo Ra being worried about her and we also see how strong their friendship became in the movie.
The actress: Roh Yoon Seo is a rookie actress who just debuted this year with her role as a pregnant high school student in Our Blues. Before that, she started her career as a cosmetics model in 2018. Yoon Seo complemented Kim Yoo Jung really well in her role as Kim Yeon Doo. She was also able to portray Yeon Doo as she slowly matures and learns to sacrifice for her friend.
Why I can't stop crying (and gushing) over 20th Century Girl
1. Na Bo Ra being a loyal friend.
Her loyalty drove her to do crazy things for her friend's happiness. The scene where she even picked up Hyun Jin's discarded drink from the trash just to know what he was drinking was hilarious. Bo Ra was also very protective of Yeon Doo. She tried not to hurt Yeon Doo's feelings when Hyun Jin suddenly confessed to her. She even spent all her money just to buy the mulberry extract for Yeon Doo when she heard that it was good for the heart (although they ended up drinking it all with alcohol, it's the thought that counts, right?). And of course, the way Bo Ra suppressed her own feelings and sacrificed for Yeon Doo's happiness was heartbreaking to watch. She’s as true as a true friend can get.
2. Bo Ra falling in love for the first time.
We see her so interested on Hyun Jin that she didn't have time to think of anything else. Until it hit her. One of the most unforgettable scenes for me was when Woon Ho taught Bo Ra to use the video camera. When the camera panned from Hyun Jin to Woon Ho, I think it symbolized the shift in Bo Ra's attention as well. And when Woon Ho looked straight into the camera, you could literally feel Bo Ra's heart skip a beat. Don't deny it because our hearts did the same thing, too!
3. The little things that gave us butterflies.
Did you also notice the subtle things Woon Ho does that are clues on his feelings for Bo Ra? When they were being chased by the gang, he was the first one to notice that Bo Ra sprained her leg and asked if she was okay. When Bo Ra had a hangover, he gave her honey water. When Bo Ra called Hyun Jin and pretended to be an automated survey, he recognized her voice. *sigh* Where can we find a Poong Woon Ho?
4. Bo Ra and Woon Ho's first kiss.
As someone who's not a fan of kissing scenes, I have only one word to describe that kiss: P.E.R.F.E.C.T. It was tentative, sweet and a little shy, but it wasn't awkward to watch at all. It depicted the state of their relationship at that moment: The hesitant feelings flowing out and expressing the hope that perhaps this is the start of something more. This kiss scene that lasted for such a brief moment trumps so many other kiss scenes in my book!
5. The revelation of Woon Ho's feelings.
Fine. We kind of knew Woon Ho liked Bo Ra. It was quite obvious. But that letter! And those flashbacks! Those scenes took us to the depths of his feelings for Bo Ra. I was so sad that Bo Ra never got a chance to read Woon Ho's confession letter to her. But I guess the redeeming part was he never gave up. When he actually told Yeon Doo directly that he wanted to ride the rollercoaster, too, I knew this guy is on a different level. And when Hyun Jin revealed that Woon Ho is afraid of heights, I fell in love.
6. The confession-slash-goodbye scene at the train station.
At this point, I was just crying nonstop. The way Bo Ra's emotions came bursting out with her tears falling down her face as she confesses her feelings to Woon Ho was such a vulnerable moment that it felt like a huge relief she was finally able to let it all out. And the shift in Woon Ho's face from surprise to elation and then to the pain of farewell pierced right through my heart. When he broke down crying as the train left, it reminded me again of the depth of his feelings for Bo Ra.
7. Bo Ra trying to move on.
And just when we thought we will be able to see a happy ending, Woon Ho is suddenly, mysteriously gone. And in a time when there’s no social media yet, Bo Ra had no way of knowing what happened to him. She had to move forward with her life half-waiting for him to come back. One of the most painful scenes is the blind date. When her date coincidentally had the same name "Woon Ho," Bo Ra's face crumples and she breaks down in unashamed tears. Her last attempt of calling Woon Ho in the phone booth and telling him she will really move on hits right in the feels.
8. Bo Ra discovering what happened to Woon Ho.
Confusion and devastation were so apparent on the face of Bo Ra, now an adult (played by Han Hyo Joo), when she learned about what happened to Woon Ho. Eventually, there was also acceptance mixed with pain when Bo Ra watched the videotape that Woon Ho left behind which was full of stolen clips of her back in high school. At least she was able to have answers to her questions and she was able to know that until the very end, Woon Ho loved her. When Woon Ho said, "I want to see the 21st century you," that’s when I realized why the movie is aptly titled 20th Century Girl.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who sat for a long moment pondering about life after watching this movie. For me, the most memorable line was what Bo Ra said in her 21st Century message video footage: "I want to be a more honest person in the 21st century." She said this during the time when she was trying to suppress her feelings for Woon Ho. And it's a good reminder to tell people how we feel because life is short, and we never know how much time we have left with the people we love. Also, it's a bittersweet realization that some people were never meant to stay forever. They just leave a mark and beautiful memories.
Okay, I need a hug. And pass the tissues, please. Because I'm going to rewatch 20th Century Girl.
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