Korean youth romance films continue to prove their irresistible charm, not only through sweet love stories, but also by offering emotional twists powerful enough to leave viewers in tears. Among the most unforgettable titles, 20th century girl AND Even if this love disappears from the world tonight they stand out as two beautiful, nostalgic and heartbreakingly cruel works, earning them a reputation as a film “not for the faint of heart.”
20th century girl
Set in 1999, 20th century girl takes audiences back to an era filled with pagers, VHS tapes and the early sounds of K-pop. The story follows Na Bo-ra (Kim You-jung), a bright and energetic high school student who agrees to secretly observe Baek Hyun-jin (Park Jung-woo) on behalf of her best friend who lives abroad. However, things take an unexpected turn when Bo-ra grows closer to Poong Woon-ho (Byeon Woo-seok) – Hyun-jin’s best friend – and slowly falls in love with him instead.
The film is praised for its sincere and tender portrayal of female friendship and the innocent awkwardness of first love. Kim You-jung once again proves his reputation as “rating guarantee” with a natural yet emotionally mature performance, while Byeon Woo-seok perfectly embodies the image of an ideal first love: gentle, silent and deeply devoted.
What truly elevates the film is its ending. Sweet but devastating, the conclusion deliberately avoids a conventional happy ending, offering an emotional twist that leaves viewers stunned and heartbroken.
Public reception was largely positive. On IMDb, the film has a rating of 7.3/10 and is described as “adorable, emotional and sincere.” Rotten Tomatoes reports an audience approval rating of 80%, with many viewers remarking on its nostalgic feel “cruelly beautiful” end. While some criticize the familiar love triangle cliché, most agree that the emotional payoff is unforgettable.
Even if this love disappears from the world tonight
Released in 2025, Even if this love disappears from the world tonight is the Korean remake of a popular Japanese novel and has quickly become a real tearjerker. The story centers on Han Seo-yun (Shin Si-a), a young woman who suffers from temporary memory loss that erases her memories every morning, and Kim Jae-won (Choo Young-woo), a man who lives a monotonous life and agrees to a tragic “fake relationship” with her.
Compared to the subtle emotional restraint of the Japanese original, the Korean version is more direct and intense in expressing pain and longing. Choo Young-woo’s understated and introspective acting blends seamlessly with Shin Si-a’s brilliant yet fragile performance, creating a deeply moving emotional dynamic.
Rather than focus solely on tragedy, the film highlights the repeated and desperate attempts to preserve love in the face of inevitable loss, a theme that has deep resonance with audiences.
On MyDramaList, the film boasts an impressive rating of 8.5/10 and is described as “a sweet love story full of complex emotions.” According to Allkpop, it topped the Netflix Korea chart just one day after release, with a real-time audience rating of 8.52%. Social media is flooded with comments like “my sleeves were soaked with tears” AND “this felt painfully real.” Rotten Tomatoes also praises the remake “beautiful, emotionally rich and deeply moving.”
A lasting emotional legacy
Together, 20th century girl AND Even if this love disappears from the world tonight reaffirm the enduring strength of Korean youth romance films. Combining nostalgia, emotional depth and unexpected heartbreak, these two works have not only elevated a new generation of young actors, but have also sparked widespread debate – and countless shared tears – among audiences around the world.
Sources: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, MyDramaList, Allkpop
