Even if it’s a little while, I want to love you. Even if we are apart someday, I want to keep these feelings with me forever.
Our Season is a cinematic masterpiece that immerses audiences in a rich tapestry of emotion and storytelling. I first came across this film through a recommendation on Facebook Reels under the Heartwarming K-movies category. The trailer immediately caught my attention, and I knew I had to watch it. At its core, Our Season is more than just a film—it’s a meditation on the cyclical nature of life. It invites audiences to reflect on their own personal seasons, drawing parallels between their experiences and those of the characters. The result is a deeply immersive cinematic journey that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant.
Cast: Shin Min-a, Kim Hae-sook, Hwang Bo-ra, Kang Ki-young, Kim Hyun-soo, Bae Hae-sun, Park Myung-hoon, Kim Min-Kyung
Director: Yook Sang-hyo
Synopsis:
Jin-joo, the protagonist, is a woman burdened by guilt and unresolved emotions following the sudden loss of her mother, Bok-ja. Having lived abroad as a university professor, Jin-joo pursued a life of success, believing it to be the path her mother wanted for her. However, her mother’s passing leaves her emotionally adrift, struggling with depression and unable to escape the weight of her regrets. She gives up her once-privileged life and returns home to run a humble Baekban restaurant, using her mother’s cherished recipes; perhaps as a way to stay connected to her or to seek some form of redemption.
Throughout her life, Jin-joo had misunderstood her mother’s choices. She once believed that being sent to a hostel as a child meant that she was a burden, unloved and unwanted. In reality, Bok-ja had only wanted to give her daughter a chance at a better life, free from struggles. Despite Jin-joo’s coldness and distance over the years, Bok-ja never stopped caring; calling her regularly just to hear how she was doing, even when Jin-joo barely responded.
The story takes an imaginative and emotional turn when Bok-ja is granted a rare three-day visit to Earth from the afterlife. While she is meant to observe without interfering, the sight of her daughter suffering proves too much to bear. She risks breaking the rules of the afterlife, even at the cost of severe consequences just so she can ease Jin-joo’s pain.
Review:
Our Season is a deeply moving film that intricately weaves together themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, offering a contemplative journey through the complexities of human relationships. At its heart, the film explores the regret of not fully appreciating a loved one until they are gone—an experience that many can relate to but few truly understand until it is too late.
The act of selfless love of Bok-ja—defying even celestial laws to protect her child—serves as a profound reminder of the lengths a parent will go to for their child’s well-being. The moment when Bok-ja is willing to erase every memory she has of her daughter, just to ensure Jin-joo’s happiness, is both devastating and beautiful. It left an indelible mark, encapsulating the unconditional and limitless love that parents hold for their children—often unseen, sometimes misunderstood, and tragically realized too late.
A quote that resonates deeply with the film’s message is: “Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude.” This line, found in Gold Marble Anne Frank Quote Notebook, perfectly encapsulates the emotional weight of Our Season. It reminds us that too often, we fail to appreciate those who love us the most while they are still with us, only to mourn them when they are gone.
The film moves at a slow, reflective pace, making it more suited for those who appreciate quiet, introspective storytelling rather than high-energy action. It is a slice-of-life narrative that unfolds gently, allowing the emotions to seep in gradually. The cinematography enhances this with its stunning depiction of village life—the rustic beauty of a traditional Korean kitchen, the warmth of home-cooked meals, and the comforting familiarity of a mother’s touch. These details not only enrich the film’s aesthetic appeal but also serve to deepen its emotional core.
For those who enjoy heartfelt, slow-burn Korean films that explore human emotions with sincerity, Our Season is a must-watch. It is a poignant reminder to cherish our loved ones while they are still with us, to express our gratitude before it turns into regret, and to acknowledge the unseen sacrifices made for us. This is not just a movie; it is an experience—one that lingers in the heart long after the final scene fades to black.
“I think those who have lost someone close might have thought ‘Is anyone looking at me from above?’ Our film gives a good answer to those who might have thought that way,”
- Shin Min-a
