
20th Century Girl
METASCORE
Universal Acclaim
90
USER SCORE
Generally Unfavorable
8.6
MY SCORE
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Description
In the tender year of 1999, a story unfolds about a selfless teenager whose golden heart sets her on an unexpected journey of observation and discovery. Bo Ra, a vibrant 17-year-old high school student, is someone who radiates positivity and strength. Skilled in taekwondo, she carries herself with a quiet confidence that draws people to her. Beyond her physical prowess, Bo Ra’s spirit shines brightest through her unwavering loyalty and kindness. She's also part of her school’s broadcasting club—a place where creativity meets camaraderie—where she finds herself alongside Woon Ho, another member sharing her passion for storytelling.
Bo Ra's closest confidant is Yeon Du, her best friend since childhood. Yeon Du, though soft-spoken, harbors a deep admiration for Hyun Jin, one of the most popular students in their class. Her feelings are both pure and overwhelming, but life takes an unexpected turn when Yeon Du learns she needs heart surgery and must travel abroad to the United States for treatment. Before leaving, Yeon Du entrusts Bo Ra with a heartfelt request: to learn everything there is to know about Hyun Jin, the object of her affection.
With this newfound responsibility weighing gently yet profoundly on her shoulders, Bo Ra begins to observe Hyun Jin more closely. At first, it feels like a simple favor—a way to honor her promise to Yeon Du—but as days pass, something shifts within her. Each subtle gesture, every fleeting smile, and even the moments when Hyun Jin seems lost in thought begin to paint a richer portrait of who he truly is. Through her watchful eyes, Bo Ra starts to see not just the surface-level charm that makes him so admired by others, but the layers beneath—the vulnerabilities, dreams, and quiet struggles that make him human.
This quiet act of devotion becomes more than a mission; it becomes a bridge connecting two souls, each navigating their own complexities. As Bo Ra delves deeper into understanding Hyun Jin, she realizes how much her friendship with Yeon Du—and now this shared connection—has shaped her own perspective on love, loyalty, and what it means to truly care for someone.
(Source: Netflix, AsianWiki)
Through these tender threads of friendship, sacrifice, and growing awareness, Bo Ra embarks on a journey that will leave an indelible mark on her heart—one that resonates far beyond the halls of her high school.
Top Cast


Recent Reviews

GabeRose
I loved this film, even though the unexpected ending hurt so much. It's a beautiful story.

ChannieLover7_9_9_7
It was okay, more annoying than anything. The friend was especially irritating, thinking she had a claim on him just because she saw him for like 2 seconds and he was nice to her. She caused the misunderstanding and yet had the nerve to be mad. The ending, of course, was crap. The only good things were Byeon Wooseok’s sweet moments and the cinematography.

PabboStell
I've wanted to watch this movie ever since it came out, but I wasn't able to, now that I finally did... I think I expected more.
I really like Youjung as an actress, I've been following her works for over 10 years, but here... she didn't do that well, especially in the emotional scenes and I even found her annoying at times.
Byeon Woo Seok's acting was weak too, after seeing him in Lovely Runner, he definitely has improved a lot and did so much better in the drama!
The movie itself is similar to both Lovely Runner and Soulmate, I knew what to expect from the ending, so that didn't ruin the movie for me and I really enjoy the 90s settings.
I think my expectations were too high, but I still enjoyed this to a certain level, so a shaky 7.5/10 from me, it could've been much better.
I really like Youjung as an actress, I've been following her works for over 10 years, but here... she didn't do that well, especially in the emotional scenes and I even found her annoying at times.
Byeon Woo Seok's acting was weak too, after seeing him in Lovely Runner, he definitely has improved a lot and did so much better in the drama!
The movie itself is similar to both Lovely Runner and Soulmate, I knew what to expect from the ending, so that didn't ruin the movie for me and I really enjoy the 90s settings.
I think my expectations were too high, but I still enjoyed this to a certain level, so a shaky 7.5/10 from me, it could've been much better.

LoraWithAnO
I'm heartbroken, I was warned. I did this to myself 😭💔

Geegee16
I gave this a lower score because of the ending. The movie was fine otherwise.
I’m here after watching Lovely Runner, and noticed there were quite a few plot elements that were the same or similar in both films. I wonder if the writer of Lovely Runner drew inspiration from this one. I know it’s based off a webtoon, but certain things were too similar, you know? Like the female lead (FL) getting drunk and being close to the male lead (ML), the FL working at her family’s video store while the ML is across the street working or living, the FL being chased by a second ML who she can’t get rid of, the FL holding her hands up as punishment in school and the ML approaching her while she does this, the FL being violent and saving the ML from danger, the ML being secretly in love with the FL from early on… and the list goes on. I felt like I was watching Lovely Runner without all the time travel stuff…
I’m here after watching Lovely Runner, and noticed there were quite a few plot elements that were the same or similar in both films. I wonder if the writer of Lovely Runner drew inspiration from this one. I know it’s based off a webtoon, but certain things were too similar, you know? Like the female lead (FL) getting drunk and being close to the male lead (ML), the FL working at her family’s video store while the ML is across the street working or living, the FL being chased by a second ML who she can’t get rid of, the FL holding her hands up as punishment in school and the ML approaching her while she does this, the FL being violent and saving the ML from danger, the ML being secretly in love with the FL from early on… and the list goes on. I felt like I was watching Lovely Runner without all the time travel stuff…

Zlata7
A sad scene on Facebook made me come here. Wow cried so much when I saw this. Will never never never rewatch this. 😭😭😭

Nancipantz
I thought this was going to be a cliché teenage love triangle story, and I was surprised by the ending. Actually, it felt like I was knocked out without warning and came to with an uneasy feeling?
I was warned that ML would die after reading the comments on Lovely Runner, but this was just sad and pointless?? How did ML even die? My heart went out to the poor babies crying at the train station, and they don’t even get to see each other again. Ever. Coz poof, just like that, he dies. Poor FL goes through emotional trauma she’ll never get over and watches a video at the end made by an extremely handsome guy who cared so much about her, and she can’t even do anything because he’s gone. smh 💔
Also, this show was filmed in 2021, only 2-3 years before My Demon - how does FL look so young in comparison??
I was warned that ML would die after reading the comments on Lovely Runner, but this was just sad and pointless?? How did ML even die? My heart went out to the poor babies crying at the train station, and they don’t even get to see each other again. Ever. Coz poof, just like that, he dies. Poor FL goes through emotional trauma she’ll never get over and watches a video at the end made by an extremely handsome guy who cared so much about her, and she can’t even do anything because he’s gone. smh 💔
Also, this show was filmed in 2021, only 2-3 years before My Demon - how does FL look so young in comparison??

Leon Scott Kennedy
Well, thank you very much for making me sad for a week.

Nijura
I hated the ending...it was so out of place...and there was no meaningful message or anything...just ruined a feel-good rom-com...

Thanveer Ali
I still haven't dared to touch this movie.

scrap god
I finally had the courage to watch this because I suddenly miss Woo-seok (I'm going to rewatch Lovrun next, heheheh). Am I dead? I cried a bucket despite knowing the ending.
The reason I kept delaying watching this is that once I get a major spoiler, I just lose the will to watch it.
Positive:
- Great pacing
- Cinematography
- Color palette
- Chemistry between the leads (their gaze 🥺), including Hyun-jin and Yeon-doo
- I'm a sucker for 1990s to early 2000s K-dramas
- It reminded me of Lovrun as Woon-ho actually fell for her first too, lmao. Not another R-18 DVD 😂
Negative:
Tbh, I can't really point out any negatives because for me, they're not really negative but more like nothing special. The plot is pretty generic, but for its genre, this movie provided comfort and solace, with the ending giving you a punch. Although, maybe it was just me, but Yoo-jung's crying low-key bothered me, lmao. I wouldn't dwell on that; perhaps that's just how they represented how a teen like her would react.
As a multimedia student, it was beautiful to see how passionate Woon-ho was about broadcasting. It hurts to even think that a 19-year-old boy never got to do the things he wanted to do. Just imagining what Na Bora felt during those years was gut-wrenching, as she spent those times with anger and confusion over his sudden disappearance.
She finally received his greetings from his short 21st century.
The reason I kept delaying watching this is that once I get a major spoiler, I just lose the will to watch it.
Positive:
- Great pacing
- Cinematography
- Color palette
- Chemistry between the leads (their gaze 🥺), including Hyun-jin and Yeon-doo
- I'm a sucker for 1990s to early 2000s K-dramas
- It reminded me of Lovrun as Woon-ho actually fell for her first too, lmao. Not another R-18 DVD 😂
Negative:
Tbh, I can't really point out any negatives because for me, they're not really negative but more like nothing special. The plot is pretty generic, but for its genre, this movie provided comfort and solace, with the ending giving you a punch. Although, maybe it was just me, but Yoo-jung's crying low-key bothered me, lmao. I wouldn't dwell on that; perhaps that's just how they represented how a teen like her would react.
As a multimedia student, it was beautiful to see how passionate Woon-ho was about broadcasting. It hurts to even think that a 19-year-old boy never got to do the things he wanted to do. Just imagining what Na Bora felt during those years was gut-wrenching, as she spent those times with anger and confusion over his sudden disappearance.
She finally received his greetings from his short 21st century.

nisha
OK, I'm about to start watching.

Ishpak
Bawling

Infired
This is sick actually

iwasforcedtomakethis123
this is evil, created by the devil himself

SprinkledPink
...did they really have to kill him? lol

EngrPisces
Poor little old me thinking we're getting a time skip lol

bedofroses
I do not have the courage to watch this, please help.

saltastic__
I cried so hard.

qualifiedkdramer
I sobbed buckets.














