Everything other reviewers have said about this Korean movie is true. However, it makes me upset that everyone, including my Korean wife, refuse to accept the fact that the main male character essentially allowed the "love of his life" to get raped when she was nearly passed out drunk by another man and did nothing about it except stand at the front door for a moment. It's a disgusting representation of how acceptable and common this behavior is here when women drink too much. If it weren't for this one scene the movie would be golden. Yet it exists. And what upsets me more I cannot say ... that the scene is in the movie, or the acceptance it's met with.
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rick_com10 February 2013
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KineticSeoul2 June 2012This isn't the most amazing love story that really really tugs at the heartstrings. But what I liked about it was how it doesn't try to go in a over sappy direction to win the audiences attention. Which a lot of Asian dramas and movies tends to do when it comes to this type of genre. What really stood out to me about this movie is how every dialogue and how the characters communicate amongst each other is very believable. And even can relate with and that is the key word in this movie "relate". It's believable for the most pare because you can relate with it, well at least for those that had there first crush. Anyways I found this movie to be realistic when it comes to the direction all the way to the end. It doesn't try to go in a fantasy love story but it sometimes gets a bit emotional in a good way. Because at least for me I could see parts of me in this movie when it came to my first crush. The plot is told between two different time periods when the guy starts falling for a classmate at a university and when they are adults later on and the guy is now a architect. And it constantly goes back and forth when it comes to the time period. But it's done in a coherent manner and further develops the plot while keeping certain things untold until it goes into the past or sometimes into the present. Overall I enjoyed this movie, the actors and actresses did a good job. Especially Lee Je-Hoon, I don't know about the actress and singer Suzy though because she just doesn't seem all that versatile when it comes to acting. But her character really fit this movie so don't have much complaint on that. This is a movie that some viewers can relate with and if so than your gonna like this movie even more.
7.9/10 -
haorant-1-2846816 June 2012I have loved Korean films since like forever. Im not a Korean so I rely on English subtitles to watch Korean movies, usually this is frustrating since it takes a long time for the subtitles to be available, but for this film it took only 3 days! compared to for example Nameless gangster which was released around April but still no subs! This proves how popular architecture 101 must be... and it deserves that attention.
Today way too many films are too cliché and over-exaggerated, there are few films which you can see the reflection of yourself in it, not even a tiny bit. I am not saying that this film is portraying my life but I think few people can deny that you cant relate with any of the characters. How many people haven't once during the course of their life been Seung-min? Having liked someone that greatly but lacking the courage to say it? How may are just like Seo-yeon? Regretting, wanting to go back in time and change everything..
The actors all did a great job, Han Ga In is out of this world pretty and Lee Je-Hoon seems to be a really promising actor together with Suzy. The reason I did not give the film a 10 is because the ending, which, to say the least, could have been much better, and I'm not talking about the outcome but rather the way to end it. However this is still a very very good movie and if you have never seen a Korean film before I advice you to give it a try as it Im sure after watching this movie, Korean films will stick by you forever, just like me who after that rainy day i decided to give the film Brotherhood of war a go never looked back. -
william04299511 August 2014If you are a male or female who has ever had a childhood crush, this story is too familiar. Architecture 101 will take you through a painful, realistic, and gut-wrenching memoir of growing up next to the childhood love of your life - those best days of your life. However, I have just one major gripe that ruined the movie for me.
The acting and dialogue are candid, the cinematography beautiful, and the tragic moments are (in the Korean dramatic fashion) unapologetically tragic. It is not the type of movie to make you cry outright, but it will make you breathe quickly and feel a deep, naive longing. The thing that ruined the movie for me is this: in one of the scenes, a drunk girl is presumably taken advantage of while a boy who is watching not only does nothing to confront the aggressor, but leaves the scene and cries about his misfortunes of liking her with one of his friends, who consequently calls her worse than a w****. Doesn't that make you cringe? It's appalling how this scene isn't rectified; if it had been, Architecture 101 would be one of my favorite movies. Otherwise, it makes me uncomfortable to recommend something that advertises such a cowardly and misogynistic action. So if you feel like there was maybe a little something off about that scene, please know that you are not alone.
Would-be 8/10, but marked down for the reasons above.
And for the would-be haters, I am a 19 y.o. male (not that it makes a difference to my review).
6/10 -
This review is primarily written to give some explanations with in-depth knowledges about Korea.
lilyengleman expressed his disgust with valid points - by western standards.
However, if he knew the Korean culture and laws back in 90's he would have found the film to be realistic.
Seoul is divided in two parts, north and south of the river, the south being the more wealthy one. While the southerners mostly don't exactly look down at people from other parts, the northern people very often have so called poverty-complex. That applies to the boy.
Similarly, there is something that can be called province-complex: people not living in Seoul feel like 2nd class citizens. This applies to the girl from Jeju island (almost southern most touristic location)
Below is the list what the girl said and did:
1) She is an outsider in her music class. The other girls look down at her for having no "class"
2) She praises the senior student for being handsome, tall, and rich.
3) She dreams of becoming a famous TV announcer and getting married to a rich man.
4) She keeps riding with the senior student even after the boy is pi$$ed and gets out of the car. (fake GUESS incident)
5) She moved to the crappy base floor room. (presumeably only to have an address in the southern part)
The boy was too young and inexperienced to know that the girl most probably did 2) to make him jealous. In addition, he didn't understand that 3) and 5) are perfectly normal for a young girl, especially from a province.
Now let's take a look at an old Korean law: marriage scam was a capital crime, almost as severe as rape If a man beds a woman with a promise to marry her, he's stuck. The woman can sue him unless he actually marries her.
Many women misused this law: allure a young man from a rich family, sleep with him once, and force him to marry her - poverty problem solved. And that's what the boy thought the girl was doing.
I hope my explanation to clarify things that seem odd to some foreign people.
The film was quite a pleasant surprise for me since I usually don't watch Korean films. The film is a really well produced one with decent actors except for the main actress(presence). She can't act!!!
That's why I don't give a perfect 10 but a 9. -
The acting, story flow (going back and forth from past to present), dialogues were great. Though the plot was pretty ordinary and simple, Korean movies know how to potray simple things beautifully.
The story was about two people who couldn't say they like each other in the right time and have it buried inside them. It comes out when they meet each other after years.
The guy was a coward for not saving his crush/ friend while she was drunk. He left being beside her for that but he should have been there for her. Nevertheless, the ending was nice and very understandable. -
rhaphazard25 March 2016The feeling of taking action one moment too late. It is clear from reading other's reviews this is something many people experience. You wait, and you worry, and you plan, and you ponder what might be. Only to find some excuse to back out once you actually built up to courage to follow through.
Most Hollywood films would have you believe that if you put yourself out there, you'll earn the respect and love of whoever you happen to be pining over (mostly from the male perspective). Architecture 101 presents what is the reality for most us: we don't know what we're doing.
Like a few others, I was taken aback by the protagonist's inaction when it came to Seo-Yeon being drunk. I attributed it to Korea's drinking culture and the dubious nature of Korean university clubs (circles). But once I took a step back, I realized this fit right in the arc of Seung-Min's character. He doesn't like confrontation and will maintain the status quo.
"Under pressure, you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training." -Modern version of a quote by Archilochus
Seung-Min doesn't cut off ties with Seo-Yeon because he feels betrayed, it's because he feels he has betrayed her. He knew the kind of person their sunbae was, but he didn't do anything to stop the situation from happening. You can see the guilt scarring him deeply. He notices Seo-Yeon rejecting the advances of the sunbae, so she isn't a willing participant, but Seung-Min still can't bring himself to do anything.
The sunbae isn't made out to be some sort of monster because he gets women drunk to get in bed with them. He isn't. He is wrapped up in the culture around him, despite knowing what he is doing isn't the most scrupulous. He dodges around the topic and only says enough to sound cool to his underclassmen.
I really appreciate the subtlety the director and writers weaved into the story. There are so many details and motifs that could be missed easily. Ex. The seeds Seo-Yeon planted and kept secret didn't sprout, the same as their relationship; mementos. -
lilyengleman21 April 2013Seriously... am I the only one disgusted by this movie?? I really enjoyed it until the scene in which the lead guy in college watches the girl he likes get potentially raped by a classmate when she is so drunk she is barely conscious, and instead of intervening he blames and criticizes her for "possibly" (you don't know if they had sex or if the guy just put her to sleep) having sex with another guy!! If she did have sex she was so wasted she was barely conscious, and it could not have possibly been consensual! This movie could have repaired itself after this scene, by having the guy when he is older acknowledge his mistake of just standing by while this girl potentially got raped (and then mentally criticizing HER for it), but no. That whole issue is never mentioned AT ALL. And what really BLOWS MY MIND are the other reviews on here and elsewhere on the web in which the writer says things like "Reminds me of college" and "this movie is so sweet and realistic". Ummm... EXCUSE ME??
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sptih7 May 2018Many contributors have blamed Seung Min for not helping Seo Yeon when she was drunk with strong possibility that she was subsequently raped. Let us examined the issue. 1) Seo Yeon has confessed that she has a crush on Jae Wook . In fact she admitted she took the Architect 101 course because of Jae Wook and she openly flirted with him in his car that she would like to visit his house notwithstanding the poor Seung- Min is lying in the back seat. Worst still she openly denied that she is in a relationship with Seung-Min in order to be closer to Jae Woo. She does not even has the decency to take into consideration the feeling of Seung MIn. Infact she joined Jae Woo in laughing Seung-Min for wearing a fake T Shirt ! 2) What about Seo Yeon. Is it not her own responsibility to ensure that she does not get herself drunk. If you get yourself drunk then you are very vulnerable and you got yourself to be blamed. Seo Yeon has a drinking bling with Jae Wook whom she has a crush. 3) If Seo Yeon is indeed raped by Jae - Wook did she lodge a report with the police for action taken against Jae Wook. If not why ?
Looking at all the above maybe Seung Min has taken the right step for not getting himself involved.
As to whether Seung Min should rekindle his 1st love with Seo Yeon. The answer is NO as much time has passed. (1) Most importantly Seung Min now have a beautiful fiance who really love and support him and their relationship is soo advance that they are about to get married. If he lose her it will be the biggest mistake of his life (2) Sorry to say Seo Yeon has turned out to be a gold digger and she openly confessed that she is now divorced from her ex husband who is a doctor and she married him for his money (3). Lastly Seo Yeon has never showed any feeling and affection towards Seung Min. Seung Min kissed her and she admitted it is also her first kiss but no response from her. She is so cold blooded. The only time she is excited is when Jae Wook is around. When Seung Min openly declared to her that he is no longer interested in her as he is badly hurt by her sadly Seo Yeon just accepted it with her normal cold blooded self and no efforts on her part to "fight" to retain Seung Min She must be really stupid to have a crush on Jae Wook who is a well known playboy just because he has a house and a car with devastating consequences. If only she has cherished her 1st love, Seung MIn she would have a happy life . Very sad to see Seo Yeon sat ALONE at the window listening to her favourite song with the aeroplane (assuming carrying Seung Min and his fiancee to USA) flying above her. Yes Seo Yeon has alot of money ( Oh I nearly forgotten that she now has a beautiful house) but loveless and lonely which is so pitiful. With such a character it is her destiny to has a lonely life. Lastly with a hindsight even if these 1st love couple managed to over all the obstacles and married in the past (not present) I doubt their marriage will last as Seo Yeon is very materialistic and Seung Min might not be able to provide the standard of living which Seo Yeon wants. -
ajeong2823 July 2012I love this movie. It's been a while since I watched a movie that I would bother to make comment on. The story is very mediocre, however, it depicts the reality, and more importantly, humanism. It seriously reminded me of my first love that I met a year ago. It's definitely worth watching. I loved it! In addition, I liked the chemistry between the actors and actresses. The characters in the movie matched well with the actual actors and actresses. Suzi was great in this movie...ah....During these days, a lot movies tend to over-exaggerate what love truly is. But this movie gave the audience what true love should be based on humanism.
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nbyambaa24 October 2015Actually, I have been watching Korean movies a lot so far. I loved the plot; the change of action from present to past and past to present. in contrast i disliked it because i was expecting a huge turn of event at the end but it didn't end the way i wanted. Perhaps, on one hand, this movie depicts that a couple, who loved each other on first sight, can not be together which is quite near to reality. The life kind of separated and forced them to be apart. The man has to earn more money and pursue his career and the woman has to look after his father. On the other hand, this movie is unlike other films. it didn't try to get attention of viewers by having the same old happy ending life.
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kanyeezy-2883222 July 2016The Korean movie made for Koreans
Every country has its very own characteristic when they develop a story for love that takes place during youth. While America's story is usually focused on struggling and romance, Korea's story Is neither about struggling nor about romance (of course, it has some romantic & troublesome moments but I'm saying those are not main theme of movie). Instead, it is filled with regret and nostalgia about their immature love in the past. This is why this movie doesn't come home to many foreign people who are not Koreans. Yes, this movie's genre is 'Romance'. However, you shouldn't watch this expecting a romance and love troubles that you would find in movies such as 'Eternal Sunshine'. If I can write the genre for this movie, I would write Korean Romance to demonstrate its uniqueness. If you can understand Seung-Min's shyness and immature behaviors, that means you share a same thinking that Korean people have. However, if you got annoyed by Seung-Min's passive acts, that means you haven't quite understood Korean people. The moment that Seung-Min just runs away when he saw Seo-Yeon being carried by Jae-Wook should make you feel pity, not anger. In the context of this view, this movie is pretty well-made. It really depicts uniqueness of Korean people very well. When movies fail to depicts Korean uniqueness it becomes nothing but dull and annoying movies. However, this movie kept its balance perfectly. Once again, if this movie got you annoyed and reminds of you a word 'douchebag', well try more Korean movies and come back later -
wickedmikehampton15 December 2020'Architecture 101' was a small-budgeted but smile-inducing romance with uneasy ending. Two college friends meet as adults and build a house. No bombs, not even a slap or broken plate. Just life not being what we may have wanted it to become.
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phd_travel23 August 2020The cast who played the young and present versions look too different especially the woman. Suzy Bae and Han Ga In are so different. I guess it is quite poignant that the careless misunderstandings led to them not getting together back then, but the ending they just went their separate ways. So it all felt pointless.
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Applecrumbless19 November 2021They said it would be a beautiful love story, but not to me. I think it's because I had higher expectation and the story turns out pretty boring to me. I like the concept, and I'm always curious with a story about unfinished love. However, the plot is too boring and I found no surprise there.
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aminifatimaaa10 December 2018Architecture 101 is a restrained romance film that just delivers on an emotional level. Subtle & pure, as the movie progresses the storyline becomes more interesting, characters become imitateley more personal and you become completely vested in their story. Certain picturesque moments in the film will undoubtably find a permanent home in your memories.
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sptih6 July 2018Seo Yeo is taken "advantage" by Jae Wook, a playboy because she is so drunk that she almost passed out. Jae Wook is the one who get her drunk. Seo Yeo has a crush on Jae Wook as Jae Wook is very popular with the girls as he is rich and possessed a car plus apartment. It is totally absurb and illogical that some contributors blamed Seung Min for betraying Seo Yeo. Seo Yeo must be responsible for her own action. She should hold Jae Wook accountable for taking advantage of her. Lodge a report for the police to take action. Leave Seung Min out of the picture as he does not have anything to do with this couple.
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A movie scores 10 out of 10 in my opinion, when I think of it's characters, a special scene, an over all plot, a wonderful line or an amazing moment of acting, for many months afterwards. This movie has all of that. I originally watched it for the trivial fact that it had Suzy from the girl group Miss A in it. The scene that really stands out in my mind and made me cry is when before you really know much about either of the main characters....Seung min and Seo Yeon have dinner together and she drinks too much and yells at him " Idiot, dog bastard go to hell go to hell go to hell and cries her eyes out while he is silent and just holds her close, at that moment you realize the depth of emotion and the feeling of betrayal she has endured. This scene will take you by surprise and only at the end of the movie do you realize it's importance tying the present story-line to the past. I believe this is one of those rare movies you watch again and again all the while telling other people "you must see this movie". Watch it, fall in love, get hurt and cry...I did.
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momo269 October 2014My friends think I'm crazy to watch Korean movies and pass comments like "seriously you downloads subtitles and watch a foreign movie".. But I ignore them and really appreciate the Korean movies. I have learnt a lot from them and usually they have something beautiful to portray.
Coming to this one, I would say that the scenes with Seung-min's friends were interesting and depicted great bonding (Y) Overall it was great but the ending was a bit vague. It's clear that they expressed their love towards each other and by the end we know that they shared first kiss and first love.. But at the end after expressing that did they get to stay together? Did he let her go as she had done in the past? Did he stay with his mother or moved to states? Obviously we want to know the clear result of their reunion, kiss towards the end and their purpose of getting close again. -
sptih-1360028 June 2018The most precious moment in the movie is Seung Min returned the Disc Player and the Disc to Seo Yeon at the end of the movie. It signifies that Seung Min has completely TERMINATED what ever lingering feeling and romance he still has with Seo Yeon arising from their 1st love in the University. Seung MIn had put those behind and moved on. The image of Seung Min and his newly married wife flying off in a plane to USA reinforces the above. By the way if you compare a young beautiful fiancee who faithfully stays with you against a ageing divorcee who only contacted you after a lapse of 15 years and to certain extent betrayed you in the past who will you select. Obvious it is the former. Regards
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yoggwork22 February 2019Bingo, in the youth film, I think it's better than those years. The two people miss each other and remember each other, and finally turn into that house, standing on the beautiful beach, enjoying the sunshine and sea breeze. Really, if life is just like first sight
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josepaul-685109 July 2020Actors were amazing. But one thing above all that made this movie so realistic and relatable is the little details. The broken door, the Geuss, the cd player. Made me look back in my life and I found many similar. That's just the director's brilliance Oh I almost forgot. The house they built on the island has such an elegant design, I will use it as a reference when I build mine💯
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fcykjw101925 December 2022After so many years, I feel it is necessary to point out for most audience, especially from the West, that the object of pursuit in contemporary Asian tales about "first love", is NOT "love", at least not in the way you understand that term. In fact, it is usually an aspiration, or idealism. Something one has when one is young, and which has since been suppressed, or lost.
Viewed in that light, I hope it is easier to understand the protagonists' motives and actions. The drama comes abundantly in showcasing all the insecurities about social-economic status, peer pressure, sex and more, that one is willing to endure so long as one believes the objective is just around the corner. They end up haunting us for far longer than we want to admit.
Architecture 101 picks an axe to grind. It does so at a sure and steady pace. All along we have just been groping in the dark. We still are. In the end, the only consolation is that we know we miss each other, and the aspirations. We know we missed. We need to let more light into the house. -
jaredrknight18 August 2013I feel like this film should have closer to an eight over all score. This film portrays the first love we have all enjoyed. This film also shows how one mistake can have such a large consequence. That in the end we all move on with our lives, while some continue to be with their first love. For most people the first love is just that.
Experiencing your first love can be the most memorable moment of your life. Even a short period of time the innocence and first experiences you share with your first loved one are incomparable with the rest of the relationships in your life.
This film perfectly portrays how perfect and bittersweet that first love can be. How when looked on later in life the one mistake that caused that relationship to end is such a small thing. By the time we realize this fact, it is too late and we have already moved on with our lives.
The sad part of growing up is the realization that the relationships experienced in youth are so much different compared to when we have grown up.
Almost cried during this film. I feel everyone can relate to this film and should see it. This is another great romance film from south Korea. They and japan really make the best romance films! -
imtiyazmasudbd1 January 2022Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful movie!!
This is a classic example of making a Good movie without spending HUGE money, lavish sets or worthless Special effects!!
Thanks for making such a Wonderfully Crafted piece!!