Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
The enthusiastic novice cheerleading club Millennium Girls cheers everyone on with exciting dances and pop songs. Leading this exciting film Victory is Pil Sun (Hyeri), whose sole dream is to become a dancer, perfectly recreating and presenting to the audience the free-spirited and dreamlike essence of Korea in the 1990s. This article introduces five films that, like Victory, capture the retro vibes of bygone days.
>> Hyeri and the Cast of ‘Victory’ Raise Anticipation for Korea’s First Cheerleading Movie
Soulmate (2023)
Soulmate traces the ups and downs of a friendship between two women of the same age who grew up together, as they navigate the complexities of adulthood. This film is a remake of the Chinese movie Soul Mate, based on the novel Qiyue and Ansheng. It explores the dynamics between Mi So (Kim Da Mi), who always lets her guard down around her cherished friend Ha Eun (Jeon So Nee ), despite wanting to live freely, and Ha Eun, who admires Mi So’s free spirit while maintaining a stable life herself. Their friendship faces challenges when Ha Run’s first love, Jin Woo (Byeon Woo Seok), appears, and Mi Soleaves for the big city in pursuit of adventure. The film delicately captures the interplay of love and friendship against a backdrop of late 1990s and early 2000s culture, including then-trends like Cyworld and Canmore.
Miracle: Letters to the President (2021)
Miracle: Letters to the President is based on the true story of a remote village with a train track but no station. Jun Kyeong (Park Jung Min), who is not very worldly and has few friends, is not on great terms with his father, a train conductor. Ra Hee (YoonA), the daughter of a congressman, recognizes Jun Kyeong’s genius in math and supports him. Sending letters to the Blue House, taking part in a national test, and participating in a presidential mathematics competition, his goal is singular—to get a train station built in his village. And through this process, he and Ra Hee grow closer. The film features retro fashion and props from the 1980s and reveals Jun Kyeong’s tragic family history in its second half, tugging at the viewers’ heartstrings.
Sunset in My Hometown (2018)
Sunset in My Hometown follows a young man as he confronts his embarrassing past following an unexpected incident. Hak Soo (Park Jung Min), an unknown rapper, returns to his hometown after learning that his father is ill. There, he reunites with his elementary school crush Sun Mi (Kim Go Eun) and other old friends, being forced to face the past he’d hoped to forget. The film offers enjoyable moments through humorous performances by its leads, vibrant characters, and Park Jung Min’s powerful rap, outshining the dialogues. While set in contemporary times, the film’s background and characters exude a retro feel.
Hot Young Bloods (2014)
Set in a rural village in Chungcheong Province during the 1980s, Hot Young Bloods depicts the tumultuous romances of teenagers. The love triangle among the local tough girl Young Sook ( Park Bo Young), the Casanova Jung Gil (Lee Jong Suk), and the fighter Gwang Sik (Kim Young Kwang) becomes even more complicated with the arrival of So Hee (Lee Se Young), a new student from Seoul. Jung Gil, who’s been showing interest in So Hee, realizes his feelings for Young Sook, who had sacrificed for him, following his victory over Gwang Sik. Lee Jong Suk masterfully portrays the playboy character, and Park Bo Young shines as the stoic tough girl, adding layers of enjoyment to the film.
Sunny (2011)
Sunny oscillates between the 1980s and the present day, telling the story of a group of friends known as the “Seven Princesses.” In 2010, Na Mi (Yoo Ho Jung), a regular housewife, unexpectedly reunites with her terminally ill high school friend Chun Hwa (Jin Hee Kyung) and sets out to gather the rest of their group, reviving a glorious chapter of their youth. The chemistry between the actresses playing their high school selves, including Kang So Ra, Shim Eun Kyung, Park Jin Joo, Nam Bora, Min Hyo Rin, and more, is captivating. The film’s adept use of the 1980s setting propelled it to massive popularity, leading to remakes in Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
