This is one movie I can call "beautiful". I know that that word is itself vague, too general and overused, but the movie has that something that makes me classify it as beautiful..simplicity. The dialogues in the story doesn't involve poetic lines, but you can feel the strong emotions surrounding these lines. I mean hearing this line from someone you love, "I'm afraid I'll hurt you", isn't that meaningful? Ugh. I was pulling my hair. The guy's child-like approach to the girl's heart, their disagreeing over small things, their being assertive and frank and vocal to the other..all these are qualities of natural persons. They don't just exist in the movies. That's why I like the film, it doesn't involve too much drama you could sometimes choke and figure you're really just watching a movie. This one, you can feel like you're watching a real-life couple. The sweetness and the chemistry was there..not too many conflicts in the story involved, but there goes the beauty in it:its ability to depict a touching story. Simple everyday stuff we do, a cute friendship that blooms into a timeless love. The story is not far-fetched(the only thing that's a bit far-fetched for me is Jo-kang not having a serious relationship after all these years—but yes, true love and all that-- I know I know, its just me and my practical self talking again). And don't even start me with the aliens thing being unrealistic or I'll give you a major kicking.
And with simplicity comes cuteness. And yes, that includes the cast themselves. I know everyone will agree with me that the young Ari and Jo-kang looked really cute..and when they got older, they still maintained that cuteness, the innocence, that naiveness in them..physically and emotionally. Good choice of cast, actually. Especially Cho Seong-woo who doesn't just look physically appealing but the way he acted in this movie, you can't spot his effort of acting cute. Because he is just naturally cute. He could pull off that naive, goofy, child-like role without sweat. Alongside his small eyes, he still looks young. Of course, let's not forget Kang Hye-jung who also just doesn't physically look cute, but she can also play that naive, innocent yet matured, part well. Both of them are natural charmers. Also, notice the setting of the film. It involves nature. Here's where the cuteness also comes in. It utilizes natural elements such as rain, a lizard, a grass field. The soundtracks were there to add to the cuteness too. Especially in the end scene, I have to say that the scene was steeled because of the soundtrack. The scene itself was very emotional but with the addition of an orchestra in the background makes it a hall of famer.
This is like a series incorporated into a movie, I found myself believing they were really in love. I usually complain about how movies fail to portray the eventuality and transition of falling in love, you know, that abrupt one-day-I-woke-up-loving-him feeling and seeing them as just mere actors acting out because there's a movie. That "wall" I call, the reason why I'm indifferent to romance movies. In this one, it felt real. The story felt real. And the way they acted felt real. It was very believable.
I have to give an hour of standing ovation for the ending, though. It was just so full of emotions and symbolism, I swear there'll be a river of tears from the viewers. It was so beautifully shot(with the leads crying in a field, the camera revolving around the girl, some "spotlight" to symbolize her going to heaven perhaps?, with a sad background instrumental music and did I mention a very emotion-filled crying from the leads?). Picture this: Jo-kang saying Saranghae(I love you) not ordinarily, mind you, but it was so filled of emotions. The way he said this line exudes that mixture of longing, the pain, the hate and questioning why must it be this way, the sadness, all rolled into one scene. And Ari responding I'm Sorry. I died.
Now I know why many people cried on this one: Cho Seung-woo crying effectively communicates that lowest feeling of wanting to fight till the end but being left with no choice but just to give in. I felt the pain. And Kang hye-jung's child-like face, her soft voice that displays innocence is enough to tear hearts. And with that orchestra in the background, the ending was epic. They were like kids crying..their faces get really sour and they don't mind the tears falling into their mouths. Not conscious how they look. Like kids. And you know how kids cry..they're so full of expressions.
And when Ari said Goodbye. How can one-liners be that painful? I have to give it to their acting though. They were just so effective in capturing hearts. She was also left with no choice!! Screw that. Why can't they just be together till the end, why still separate? Ugh. It boggles the mind.
The movie has the right amount of cast. And I honestly didn't spot any irrelevant scene on this. No character was wasted. The director/writer did very well in utilizing the story and focused only on the main characters. Everything was in order. 10/10.