Romance and nostalgia combine in new Netflix film '20th Century Girl'

Movies

Published: 19 Oct. 2022, 15:42 Updated: 19 Oct. 2022, 17:35

Romance and nostalgia combine in new Netflix film '20th Century Girl'

From left, director Bang Woo-ri and actor Kim Yoo-jung pose for photos at a local press event for upcoming Netflix film "20th Century Girl" in Yongsan I'Park Mall branch of CGV in central Seoul on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

Director Bang Woo-ri based the new Netflix film “20th Century Girl” on her own story.

Actor Kim Yoo-jung portrays the 17-year-old protagonist. Set in 1999, the film centers on the conflict between her romantic interest and her friend.

The film is Bang’s feature film debut. She is known for short films “Mrs. Young” (2014) and “The Cover Letter” (2017).

“The film’s story began from me reminiscing about my teens with my friends,” Bang said at a local press event in the Yongsan I’Park Mall branch of CGV in central Seoul on Wednesday. “There was one friend who married and had children, [who told me] that she came across her first love by chance. That’s when I revisited our exchange diary [that we wrote together]. About 80 percent of the scribbles were about boys that we had crushes on. I’d volunteered to spy on my friend’s crush [so that she could get to know him better]. I thought it would be a good story that not only my friends, but [the global] audience could relate to.”

Actor Kim Yoo-jung poses at a local press event for upcoming Netflix film "20th Century Girl" in Yongsan I'Park Mall branch of CGV in central Seoul on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

The story begins as the adult version of the protagonist reminisces on her teens. She decides to play cupid between her best friend, portrayed by Roh Yoon-seo and her best friend's crush, portrayed by Park Jung-woo. As she attempts to get closer to him, she also forms her own crush of the boy's best friend, portrayed by Byeon Woo-seok.

“Bo-ra [the protagonist] is a lovely friend, and she’s also a very loyal one, who cherishes people close to her,” Kim said. “And when she becomes immersed in something, she can be very determined.”

Han Hyo-joo portrays the adult version of the protagonist, while actors Ryu Seung-ryong, Park Hae-jin, Ong Seung-woo, Gong Myoung and Park Hae-joon also make special appearances in the film.

Bang explained why she chose to set the film in 1999.

“It was part of my past, and also there is a unique atmosphere about the end of a century,” she said. “Both excitement and fear about the future co-existed. Everything was mixed and confusing [...] What I remember is that it was the first time the Internet came around. Some people had pagers while others had cellphones. I thought that the year’s vibe was similar to what Bo-ra was going through in her adolescence.”

Over the last decade or so, retro-related content has populated the small and silver screen, successfully bringing back the nostalgia of youth for older generations and creating a new stimulus for the current MZ generation.

From left, actors Park Jung-woo, Roh Yoon-seo, Kim Yoo-jung and Byeon Woo-seok pose for photos for their upcoming Netflix film "20th Century Girl" in Yongsan I'Park Mall branch of CGV in central Seoul on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

“I believe the novelty of my film lies in perspective,” Bang pointed out. “It’s based on Bo-ra’s perspective, who starts off by spying for her friend, but then she gradually lands her eyes on Un-ho [the best friend she forms a crush on.] And when she starts to look affectionately at him, her love begins. The theme of this film from beginning to end can be summed up as [Bo-ra’s] perspective.”

“20th Century Girl” will be released on the streaming service on Friday.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]