20th Century Girl (2022) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
20th Century Girl (2022) is a South Korean coming-of-age romance film that follows Bo-ra, a high school girl in 1999 who agrees to spy on a boy named Hyun-jin for her lovestruck best friend Yeon-du. However, Bo-ra ends up falling for Hyun-jin herself, leading to a bittersweet love triangle. The ending reveals that Hyun-jin dies in a car accident years later, leaving Bo-ra heartbroken. In the present day, an adult Bo-ra reunites with Yeon-du, who confesses she knew about Bo-ra's feelings all along. The film closes with Bo-ra reflecting on her first love, emphasizing the fleeting yet enduring nature of youthful emotions.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of 20th Century Girl unfolds as Bo-ra (Kim Yoo-jung) and Hyun-jin (Byeon Woo-seok) finally confess their mutual feelings, only for tragedy to strike. Years after their high school romance, Hyun-jin dies in an accident, leaving Bo-ra to grieve a love that never had the chance to mature. The film then jumps to the present day, where an adult Bo-ra meets Yeon-du (Roh Yoon-seo), who reveals she was aware of Bo-ra's crush on Hyun-jin but chose to step aside. This confession adds a layer of guilt and unresolved tension to their friendship, as Yeon-du's own unrequited love for Hyun-jin mirrors Bo-ra's loss. The final scene shows Bo-ra smiling through tears as she reminisces about Hyun-jin, symbolizing her acceptance of the past and the enduring impact of first love.
The ending is deeply melancholic but also cathartic. Bo-ra's journey from a naive teenager to a wistful adult underscores the film's central theme: the impermanence of youth and the scars left by love. The revelation that Yeon-du knew about Bo-ra's feelings reframes their friendship, suggesting that Yeon-du's silence was an act of sacrifice. Meanwhile, Hyun-jin's offscreen death serves as a harsh reminder of how abruptly life-and love-can end. The film doesn't offer neat resolutions but instead lingers on the emotional residue of these relationships, inviting viewers to reflect on their own past loves and missed connections.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Why did Yeon-du never confront Bo-ra about her feelings for Hyun-jin?
- Possible Answer: Yeon-du may have prioritized her friendship with Bo-ra over her romantic feelings, or she sensed Hyun-jin's preference for Bo-ra and chose to avoid conflict.
- What happened to Hyun-jin's family after his death?
- Possible Answer: The film implies his death was sudden, leaving his family (and Bo-ra) to grapple with unresolved grief. His absence haunts the narrative, but his family's fate is left ambiguous.
- Did Bo-ra ever love anyone else after Hyun-jin?
- Possible Answer: The film's focus on her lingering sadness suggests Hyun-jin remained her "one that got away," though her adult self seems at peace, hinting at personal growth.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
20th Century Girl is a poignant exploration of first love and loss, elevated by Kim Yoo-jung's heartfelt performance. The ending is devastating yet beautifully understated, avoiding melodrama in favor of quiet realism. Hyun-jin's death feels almost cruel, but it reinforces the film's message about the fragility of life and love. While some may find the tragedy manipulative, it effectively underscores how certain people leave indelible marks on us, regardless of time. The reunion between Bo-ra and Yeon-du is the emotional core, revealing how love and friendship can intertwine in messy, painful ways. Ultimately, the film resonates because it captures the universal ache of remembering someone who's gone-not with grand gestures, but with small, aching details.
Final Thoughts
The film's 1999 setting, with its nostalgic soundtrack and analog aesthetics, adds to the sense of longing. Director Bang Woo-ri crafts a story that feels both intimate and expansive, balancing youthful exuberance with adult regret. The ending doesn't tie up every loose thread, but that's its strength: like memory itself, the film lingers in the unresolved. Whether you see it as a tragedy or a tribute to enduring love, 20th Century Girl leaves a lasting impression, much like Hyun-jin did on Bo-ra. It's a reminder that some loves are brief but never forgotten, and that grief and gratitude can coexist.
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