I know for a fact that as soon as you saw the trailer for Love Untangled, flashbacks to the 20th-century girl wars came flooding back to you. I understand your feeling, but I'm happy to inform you that you won't cry at the end of this Netflix film; instead, you might laugh out loud throughout the entire film. Love Untangled is a film set in 1998, where a curly-haired girl named Se-Ri falls in love with a classmate and decides to confess her love to him. However, before she can do so, an exchange student from Seoul appears and changes things. Se-Ri gets involved with a new boy, Yoon-Seok, after he almost drowned in the sea off Busan, and she saves his life. Who will she end up with? Will Se-Ri's curly hair be an obstacle even as an adult? Find out in this Love Untangled review.
The film is a two-hour romantic comedy set in a high school. If you've seen any Korean high school dramas or movies, you probably already know exactly how things end in Love Untangled. It might be the most predictable movie of 2025, but that's okay because not everything has to be shocking or feature a love triangle so intense you don't know who to choose. This movie clearly has one main protagonist, and you can't even call the other a supporting protagonist, so don't expect anything intense. But if you're looking for something truly adorable, with an authentic high school atmosphere, this movie might be perfect for you.
Director: Sun Namkoong
Stars: Gong Myoung, Shin Eun-soo, Cha Woo-min
The first thing I want to comment on is the acting and how they sustain the movie, because both in tone and pacing, the movie has quite a few flaws, especially near the third act. I don't know why they had to make it two hours long if they were going to add a conflict so late and not even resolve it. That said, if literally anyone else had played Se-Ri, I think I would have stopped watching the movie pretty quickly. I already knew Shun Eun-Soo was an excellent actress after seeing her in Twinkling Watermelon, a fantastic school drama, so the reason I was excited for Love Untangled was because she'd be playing the female lead. And boy, does she lead with charisma and charm. Se-Ri is the center of the film; there's not much else to tell. It's about her life, what she wants, and why. Also, yes, there are train stations involved, but don't worry, your hearts won't be broken, I promise.
I also have to praise Gong Myung's acting ability, because how is this man, born in 1994, able to cry like a teenager who can't have what he wants? The last time I saw him was in Mercy for None, and he was a complete jerk in that film. After that, I couldn't imagine him playing a high school student, but he did wonderfully. On the other hand, Cha Woo-Min turned into a hottie in this film—good for him!
What I enjoyed about this film is that the female lead isn't a simple henchman with no brains or friends. She has a whole circle of friends who support her whims and fantasies. She also has a good relationship with her family, although we never see her interact much with her twin sister, which was quite disappointing. Sisterly love is the spice that balances the sweetness of these films. Ultimately, this gave it a fresh twist because it interchanges the stereotypes of the female and male leads. Se-Ri is outspoken; she's loud, even obnoxious, but incredibly lovable. She gets poor grades, and every time she confesses her love to someone, it doesn't help, so she thinks straightening her hair will solve all her problems. On the other hand, Yoon-Seok and Hyun-Woo are soft-spoken and studious. They're both athletic because they're destined to be the center of attention. This is the kind of film clearly made for the female gaze.
At its core, this film is simply about looking for love where it belongs. There are no crazy dramas, and being set in high school, this minimalist style feels fresh. Luckily, we don't see any of the bullying clichés that I'm so fed up with. So, while the story itself isn't original, the film has its charm because it's extremely simple. However, don't get me wrong, it won't give you the gratification of Little Forest. It's still a basic high school movie. That said, if you're looking for something relaxed, easy to digest, and without a second thought, this is definitely the movie to watch this weekend. However, if you get bored easily and might not enjoy romance, you won't get anywhere with this simple movie.
Ultimately, I enjoyed Love Untangled, despite its weak story and uneventful second act. It's a film that relies on the characters and the beautiful setting of Busan in 1998.
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