The wind that passes by has become quite chilly. The season that makes the heart feel particularly empty, autumn, has come closer. At times like this, I desperately long for a sad movie that makes a part of my heart twinge.
Here are four Korean movies on Netflix that awaken your dormant sensitivity and allow you to pour out old emotions refreshingly.
Touching Fantasy Romance, ‘Be With You’
A fantasy setup of a deceased wife returning on rainy days might feel childish, but ‘Be With You’ (2018) gains persuasion with the deep performances of the actors.
The story of the wife ‘Soo-ah (Son Ye-jin)’, who returns losing her memory, her husband ‘Woo-jin (So Ji-sub)’, who falls in love with her again, and their son ‘Ji-ho (Kim Ji-hwan)’, who cherishes the short reunion with his mother, delicately portrays Korean family emotions touching the audience’s hearts.
Especially Soo-ah, who smiles bravely for her family knowing she will soon disappear, and Woo-jin’s cries discovering all the secrets through her diary, stimulated many tears.
Love Completed by Sacrifice, ‘Always’
‘Always’ (2011) is a deeply moving love story of a former boxer ‘Chul-min (So Ji-sub)’ and ‘Jung-hwa (Han Hyo-joo)’, who is losing her sight.
The process of Chul-min, with a dark past, changing after meeting Jung-hwa and going into a life-risking match for her surgery costs, might seem somewhat unrealistic. However, it clearly shows the theme of noble sacrifice for a loved one.
The line “I remember his scent” from Jung-hwa missing Chul-min and the final scene of her recognizing him with tears after regaining her sight is counted as one of the classic scenes in Korean melodrama history.
So Ji-sub’s performance of a rough but warm pure love portrayal stands out in this work.
Consoling Life After Loss, ‘Where Would You Like to Go’
Without any glamorous events or dramatic development, ‘Where Would You Like to Go’ (2023) quietly captures the sadness of those left behind, providing a different kind of resonance.
It follows the journey of ‘Hee-joo (Park Ha-sun)’, who lost her husband in a sudden accident, meeting others with similar scars, understanding each other, and offering subtle comfort.
Like Hee-joo’s monologue, “No one asks me anymore,” realistic dialogues and situations that anyone who has experienced the pain of loss can relate to penetrate the heart.
Actress Park Ha-sun’s restrained tearful performance deepens the sorrow.
The Ultimate Tearjerker, ‘Miracle in Cell No. 7’
It’s hard to talk about sad movies without mentioning this film, where laughter and tears coexist.
‘Miracle in Cell No. 7’ (2013) is about a father with the intelligence of a 6-year-old, ‘Yong-gu (Ryu Seung-ryong)’, wrongly accused of murder and sent to prison.
The happenings when the inmates in Cell No. 7 secretly bring in his daughter ‘Ye-seung (Kal So-won)’ evoke cheerful laughter but as the film progresses towards the end, the stark contrast between absurd reality and pure paternal love makes the audience shed tears.
Especially Yong-gu’s last moment shouting out his daughter’s name before heading to the execution ground is a scene that remains much talked about.
‘Miracle in Cell No. 7’ is not available on Netflix Korea, but you can feel similar emotions through the Turkish remake ‘The Miracle in Cell No. 7’.
