2023 Movie
Dir. Min Yong-keun · South Korea · English, Korean
Two childhood friends find their soulmate in this stunning, tearjerking drama
There are some connections that transcend definition, becoming more important and fundamental to one’s life than that of a romantic relationship. Not many people are lucky to have experienced it, but nevertheless it’s true. Soulmate is the Korean adaptation of the 2016 Chinese directorial debut, and while it’s faithful to the source material, there’s a focus to this rendition that elevates the film, with a greater emphasis on the titular soulmates rather than the boy that tore them apart. Because of this, Soulmate is much more emotionally devastating, neatly shifting some character revelations in order to grant the weight each moment deserves.
When Mi-so and Ha-eun first meet in childhood, their lives become instantly intertwined, forming a bond surrounded by happiness and naivety. But as adulthood arrives, alone and together, they are forced to deal with sadness, anger, grief, growth, and most of all, love.
When they were 12 years old in Jeju Island, Ahn Mi-so and Go Ha-eun promised to never separate. When they were 18, Ha-eun got a boyfriend, and Mi-so moved back to Seoul, breaking the girls’ friendship. Now, they’re both 27, meeting years after they last spoke to each other.
They decided to focus more on the girls rather than the guy, and it’s not a big change, but it makes the film feel more tonally consistent all throughout.
I literally reviewed the original Chinese version, so I already know how this will go… but why am I still crying?
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
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