"순정" directly translated as "Pure Love," but renamed internationally as "Unforgettable" was directed by Lee Eun-hee and stars Do Kyung-Soo( Well known as D.O. from mega kpop boyband, EXO) and Kim So Hyun.
The film spans across time accessing memories of a Radio DJ who receives a letter from his first love who he met twenty three years earlier during summer vacation. The girl had a leg disability that causes one of her legs to be shorter than the other so she must be carried everywhere. The two formed a bond that will never be forgotten by him or his friends.
This is the second film that I've had the chance to see that D.O. acted in. "Cart" was the first film where he played more of a supporting role. Throwing out the fact that he's cute, can sing and is a kpop idol, his acting left a lot to be desired for me. The role didn't require too much acting ability since the character didn't show much emotion except for when he had scenes with his mother. He acted the best in these scenes but not because of his ability, but because he had a veteran actress to bring the right emotions out of him for the scene. We all know him being in that film was a ploy to get the fan girls to go watch.( even though the film was actually very good and D.O. wasn't horrible.) Now D.O. has a lead role. Could the film crash and burn or turn out to be something wonderful? All depend on D.O.'s and Kim So Hyun's acting. first thing I noticed is the role isn't much different from his past role. He's still quite shy in the beginning while falling behind his more outgoing friends. You know he's there but then he's not. The other younger counterparts make for lively comedy to fill in the spaces but they do overshadow D.O. at times. I'm going to take it as his character was more of a uptight person than a wear your heart of your sleeve kind of guy. His friends keep him in the action whenever they can but I can imagine that he wouldn't have done half the things he did if he had been alone. Kim So Hyun plays a character that tries to make life enjoyable the best way that she can. On top of her disability, she has family problems that run deep and slap her in the face every other chance it gets. Her father doesn't support her at all and the only people she truly has is her friends. Her dream is to be a Radio DJ. Both D.O. and So Hyun bring out the best in each other during the conflict stage of the film. Because of the current conflict, D.O.'s character is forced to step up and be more straight forward with his feelings. So-Hyun does well as the trigger to help D.O. solidly get into his role. During a lot of their one on one scenes, I was saying, "Alright, D.O. can act! I see you dude!" He's a very dependent kind of actor. A actor that needs someone else to spring board off of in order to get into character. I notice a lot of idol actors are like that or either can't act at all.(Some can act well too.) Sorry... being good looking does not count as an acting ability. I'm only harsh because I care. I knew that Eun-Hee had some acting ability. She proved herself to me in dramas like "Suspicious Housekeeper" and "Nightmare Teacher"(I made a post about this drama.). Such a good young talent that will continue to shine not only in this film but in future projects to come. The other actors that were picked to play them twenty three years later did very well expressing how those unforgettable memories affect them through their acting. I greatly connect to them in the short time they were on screen.
The plot was basically a summer vacation taken on this country island. A big chunk of the film is just the relationships all of the friends had with one another. Slow moving beginning but the antics of the friends hanging out together was funny to watch. A potential love interest coming to the island pushes the plot along as D.O. and So Hyun characters become not on the best of terms and their friends are forced to take sides. These events had my eyes glued to the screen while sipping tea.
I didn't catch the name of the location where this film was shot but DAMN.... It can't get no more country bumpkin than that. Readers know that I appreciate seeing these kinds of locations in South Korea. Korean isn't just major cites such as Seoul and Busan. People live where they were born and stay there for the duration of their life. Some of the citizens of small villages like the one in this film have never been to Seoul. They see it in the newspaper or on TV if their lucky. Its always a treat to see this side of Korean culture because its a kind of beginning for the glamor that you see coming out of kpop as well as South Korea's economic boom. Village homes have such a historic feel that I think should be experienced by everyone who appreciates Korean culture. I just can't imagine what people do who don't have access to health care out there. I'm sure a doctor is there but there's no way that high tech equipment for more complicated health issues. This was a part of the conflict in "Unforgettable". Taking in the scenery from up above using camera shots was beautiful with its nature filled island perched upon the ocean waves.
A film that can make me genuinely cry gets a passing grade in my book. I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved the overall finished product. "Unforgettable" is a film that I would recommend to people who are fans of romantic K-drama or K-movies. D.O.'s improvement in acting and the storyline don't disappoint.
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