Before I get into my review of the Korean film Even If This Love Disappears Tonight, I want to make it clear that I haven’t seen the original Japanese film, nor have I read the novel, so I’m not going to be making any comparisons; I’m just going to be talking about what I think this film did right and where it floundered. When a film title is literally a sentence, it’s usually a safe bet it’s going to be a sad one. So based on that silly assumption, I had high expectations of crying my eyes out while watching this film. However, I’m sad to say that didn’t really happen. I don’t know if it’s because I’m not in the saddest of moods, ready to absorb the full effect of a film like this one, or if it’s because I went in expecting a little too much, but this film just didn’t hit home.
Even If This Love Disappears Tonight tells the story of Seo-Yoon, a high schooler with anterograde amnesia, who writes down the activities of every day to be able to remind herself what’s happening in her life. Seo-Yoon goes to school like a regular student, and most people don’t know that she’s “unwell.” On the other hand is Jae-Won, who wants to protect his desk mate from the school bullies, so he’s willing to do what it takes to make sure that the bullies stay away from them. When the bullies tell Jae-Won to ask Seo-Yoon out because she rejects everybody, he agrees to do it as long as they stop bullying his friend, but this backfires, because she says yes to him.
This is where this film really begins, when Jae-Won and Seo-Yoon start spending time together every day. But what does this mean for Seo-Yoon, really? Will she be able to remember Jae-Won, or is it all just make-believe? Do they actually love each other? That’s what the film tackles. High school movies have always been a big thing in Korea. Most recently, we’ve had 21st Century Girl and Love Untangled, both making a buzz on Netflix because there’s something hugely appealing about a sweet and lovey-dovey high school romance, especially when it comes out of Asia, where there are uniforms and cute little things that set these stories apart from the rest of the world. It’s the uniqueness that keeps us watching rather than the content of the stories themselves.
This is not to say that the plots aren’t important, though. Of course, we care about good plots, but oftentimes, even if they aren’t hard hitters, we still come out of the films enjoying them because there was just something appealing about them. With Even If This Love Disappears Tonight, everything is perfect in this aspect. They’re adorable, there are scenes that’ll be etched in your memory forever (yes, I’m talking about the bus), and it’ll make you wish you could go back to high school again, until it gets…kinda sad. I don’t know if it’s because of the sudden change of pace, or the fact that everything happens quite quickly, or if it’s because it’s only in the last 15-20 minutes of the film, but I didn’t find it as emotionally shattering as I was hoping for it to be. This is not to say it’s not sad, and I’m sure a lot of people were weeping at the end, but unfortunately, it didn’t do it for me.
Choo Young-Woo was good in The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call. It was a role well suited for his stoic expressions and stern gaze. However, I have to admit, apart from looking stunning, I don’t think he’s got the acting range for an emotional role just yet. There’s something lacking in his performance, and this is not coming from someone who wants to trash him. It’s just that I’ve liked him better in serious roles. In the romantic bits, he’s decent, but with his veins popping and his well-defined muscles, it does seem like he’s too old to be in school, and it kind of took me out of it a little. I think there’s room for improvement, maybe in the next romance drama or film he’s in, he’ll be there.
Shin Si-A is a year older and also looks like it. Usually, Korean dramas can make anyone look like a high schooler. Just look at 30-something-year-old Kim Tae-Ri in Twenty Five, Twenty One. But I guess we’re supposed to believe Seo-Yoon’s youthfulness is forced under a shell thanks to her mental state. I could be making this up, though, but I definitely felt the age of these kids in this particular film. Jo Yoo-Jung is actually really good in this film. She’s the most emotional character, and it’s almost like we’re living vicariously through her. She’s protective of her friend but also wants her to have a good time.
At the end of the day, Even If This Love Disappears Tonight hits us with a shocking turn of events, but it’s not as shocking as expected, and it’s also so sudden that instead of making you feel the emotional weight of the situation, it simply catches you off guard by how it’s placed in the film rather than what’s actually happening. I don’t know how much of that makes sense without spoilers, but if I give away any details, it will ruin the whole film, so I’ll hold back. I wish I’d liked the film a bit more, because I really did want that cry, but I guess I’ll have to wait for next time. Having said that, I can’t just judge the film based on if it made me cry or not, so despite all the negative comments I’ve made, making it seem like I might’ve hated the film, I’d like to give it 3.5 out of 5 stars, because it’s still a fun watch and will take you back to high school. Do let us know in the comments below if it worked for you or if you also felt like it was somewhat lacking.
