The Taiwanese youth romance film Secret, which sparked a boom in the genre, has been reborn as a Korean movie while preserving its original charm. Starring Do Kyung Soo and Won Jin Ah, the film retains the original’s emotional depth while adding its unique flair to create an even more poignant experience. The setting has been shifted from high school to university, with the surrounding narratives simplified to focus more deeply on the story of Yoo Joon (played by Do Kyung Soo) and Jung Ah (Won Jin Ah). It delivers heart-fluttering excitement as a campus love story while adding new layers to the characters’ stories, making their feelings even more heartfelt and meaningful.
Since the film is set in a music school, the piano plays a pivotal role as a bridge connecting the protagonists. Yoo Joon and Jung Ah grow closer through the piano, and their moments of playing together are not only heartwarming but also elevate the emotional atmosphere of the film.
Love is often called a fantasy. But what if a love story meets an actual fantasy fiction? That’s the charm of Secret. The connection between the two characters, formed through the piano, is expressed with youthful emotions as they come to understand their feelings for each other. As the secrets between them are revealed, the story delivers unexpected surprises.
Why was it so difficult for Jung Ah to be with Yoo Joon? Why couldn’t she just express her feelings for him that she liked him? The mystery behind this is revealed like magic, enhancing the film’s unique, bittersweet emotion. As the line “Our meeting is a miracle” suggests, their deep feelings for each other come across like a miracle. In addition, a special rule, which was not in the original, adds extra fun to the story.
Secret: Untold Melody is a film where the freshness of youth and the longing for first love coexist. Do Kyung Soo and Won Jin Ah each fulfill their roles brilliantly. Do Kyung Soo, who plays the genius pianist Yoo Joon, immerses the audience in the process of him rediscovering his passion for music after an unfortunate accident, following his encounter with Jung Ah. His unique, upright boyish charm fits the character perfectly, making it easy to follow the story. Won Jin Ah sparks curiosity about her character and fills the screen with her mysterious charm. She expresses Jung Ah’s bittersweet feelings of being unable to be honest with Yoo Joon while showcasing a sweet chemistry with Do Kyung Soo.
Secret: Untold Melody captures the essence of the original while adding a fresh, Korean twist. While the story may feel familiar, the sweet romance still brings excitement, and the piano music is beautiful. The chemistry between Do Kyung Soo and Won Jin Ah, who are both stepping into romance for the first time, is heartwarming and makes you smile. It also leaves a surprisingly deep emotional impact. Put aside any preconceived notions about remakes and fully enjoy the magic of Secret: Untold Melody. (8.5/10)
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Edited by Hwang Hong Sun
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
Editor Hwang Hong Sun: A Korean movie buff who wishes that the warm messages in good works will warm up this world at least by one degree Fahrenheit.
