There’s little left to say about the Korean film industry; I've already celebrated their best work. They seem to lack recognition on an international stage, like at the Oscars. From a cinematic and entertainment standpoint, they consistently deliver excellent films. The emotions explored often resonate deeply with my own cultural background, and likely appeal to audiences worldwide. I’d heard this was a fantasy film, but it also incorporates romance, emotional depth, and thriller elements. A significant number of people outside of South Korea enjoy Korean movies, and this one deserves more attention as a truly great piece of work. I wasn't familiar with the director, but he wrote and directed it exceptionally well. The story feels perfectly suited for an anime adaptation; it has that same feel as 'Your Name.' If they were to adapt it with minor adjustments, I would definitely watch it. The title isn’t particularly captivating for a fantasy film, though it does reflect the narrative's content. While fundamentally a fantasy, the involvement of time places it somewhat within the realm of science fiction. The filmmakers addressed potential plot holes and inconsistencies effectively. They didn’t explain every small detail, but if you think carefully, most questions are answered—for example, how the boy with asthma died. The story unfolds in a small Korean island town, where Soo-rin recently moved with her stepfather. She's seen as an oddity at school because she tends to be alone. Then Sung-min becomes her friend and boyfriend. One day, along with two other boys, they venture into the nearby mountain forest and discover a glowing object. Suddenly everything changes; everyone disappears except for Soo-rin. The townspeople react angrily to her account of what happened. > ❝Let me grow to 6ft. Earn $10 dollar before age 30.❞ No one knows what occurred, including Soo-rin, until a man approaches and tells her a strange story. She finds reason to believe him, but others don’t. The narrative follows their struggle to reveal the truth, which seems beyond reality, with each attempt at explanation creating further complications. With no clear solution, the remaining storyline is resolved in a satisfying and emotional way. The plot itself is straightforward, but the details add complexity. It's easy to follow, with explanations for everything you see. The content strikes a good balance for both children and adults. When a film deals with time manipulation, it needs to be handled cleverly because time isn’t a naturally occurring phenomenon; it’s a human construct used to understand existence. I think the characters were very well developed within this story—it could even be interpreted as a time travel theme. The two-hour length didn't bother me at all, as I became completely engrossed in the story. The twist is revealed early on, which serves the storytelling’s purpose, but there are many turns later in the film. While the second half may feel less exciting for some fantasy fans, each scene maintains tension and builds curiosity about the ending. It wasn't the absolute best conclusion, but it felt appropriate. I was particularly impressed with how cleverly they used graphics; high-end effects weren’t necessary. The visuals are simple and believable, a contrast to similar films from Hollywood. An interesting detail is that the filmmakers prioritized the story over flashy special effects. The performances were good, and the locations were well chosen. There are moments reminiscent of other films, but it doesn't feel like plagiarism; any similarities stem from shared themes and situations. The overall theme isn’t entirely new—it simply alters a few rules and establishes its own identity through development. For me, this ranks among the top ten fantasy films of the decade and within the top ten Korean fantasy films of all time. If you enjoy the genre, it's definitely worth seeing. Highly recommended! _9/10_

Source on TMDB