20th Century Girl

20th Century Girl

Year: 2022

Runtime: 119 mins

Language: Korean

Echo Score: 75
DramaRomance

Set in 1999, the film follows a teenage girl who watches a classmate closely for her best friend, who is secretly infatuated with him. As she monitors his every move, she unexpectedly finds herself falling for the same boy, prompting a tender first‑love romance that challenges her loyalty and forces her to confront her own feelings.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen 20th Century Girl yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – 20th Century Girl (2022)

Explore the full timeline and setting of 20th Century Girl (2022). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1999, and 2019

The story begins in 1999, during the late 20th century, capturing the mood of a pre-digital era in Korea, with a focus on high school life and young love. The narrative then jumps to 2019, showcasing the passage of time, maturity, and the lasting impact of childhood memories on adulthood.

Location

South Korea, Seoul

The movie is set in Seoul, South Korea, in 1999, a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant youth culture and technological advancement. The suburban school environment serves as the main backdrop for the characters' teenage experiences, reflecting a typical Korean high school setting with various social activities and friendships.

🏙️ City 🎓 School 🌸 Suburban

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:00

Main Characters – 20th Century Girl (2022)

Meet the key characters of 20th Century Girl (2022), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Na Bo-ra (Kim Yoo-jung)

A bright and curious high school girl navigating teenage love and friendships. Her loyalty and sincerity are tested as she balances her feelings for Woon-ho with her loyalty to her friend Yeon-du.

💖 Loyal 🌟 Optimistic 📝 Thoughtful

Poong Woon-ho (Byeon Woo-seok)

A kind-hearted and popular student who struggles with leaving his friends and family as he prepares to move abroad. His quiet charm and emotional depth make him a central figure in Bo-ra’s life.

💙 Sensitive 🌱 Caring 🎯 Ambitious

Yeon-du (Roh Yoon-seo)

Bo-ra's best friend, who is brave and selfless. Her love for Woon-ho and her health condition motivate her to make sacrifices, highlighting her deep sense of friendship and vulnerability.

💕 Loyal 🎗️ Compassionate 💪 Resilient

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:00

Major Themes – 20th Century Girl (2022)

Explore the central themes of 20th Century Girl (2022), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌸 Youth & Friendship

The film explores the innocence, bonds, and emotional struggles of adolescence. It highlights how friendships and first love shape a person's identity and memories. The story emphasizes loyalty, sacrifice, and the bittersweet nature of growing up.

💔 Love & Loss

Central to the narrative is the theme of unspoken love and heartbreak. Bo-ra's romantic journey and the tragic loss of Woon-ho underscore the fleeting nature of youth and the enduring power of memories intertwined with grief and nostalgia.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:00

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Tender teen romance movies like 20th Century Girl

Heartfelt stories of first love that are tinged with the melancholy of loss.If you enjoyed the heartfelt and bittersweet emotions of 20th Century Girl, you'll find similar stories here. This collection features movies about first love, friendship, and the poignant memories of youth, often set against a nostalgic backdrop and ending with a mix of warmth and sadness.

nostalgicheartfeltmelancholictendersentimentalromanticbittersweetyouthful

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a linear, character-driven path, beginning with the hopeful excitement of a new connection. A central conflict, often involving loyalty or misunderstanding, deepens the emotional stakes, leading to an ending that is poignant and reflective, acknowledging both the beauty and the pain of the experience.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core emotional DNA: a focus on the authentic, heightened emotions of first love, balanced by a bittersweet tone. They often feature a steady pace to allow emotions to build and use nostalgic elements to enhance the feeling of cherished, yet painful, memories.

Nostalgic coming-of-age stories like 20th Century Girl

Emotional journeys back to a specific time, exploring youth, friendship, and growth.For viewers who loved the 1999 setting and emotional journey of 20th Century Girl, this section highlights similar films. These are moving stories about growing up, where the period details enhance the narrative of friendship, first love, and the poignant lessons learned during youth.

nostalgicsentimentalheartfeltyouthfulreflectiveemotionalcoming-of-agedramatic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a protagonist navigating the complexities of adolescence—often centered on friendship and romantic feelings. A key event or revelation brings about a loss of innocence, forcing a mature understanding of life and relationships, all framed by a wistful look back at a particular era.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their powerful use of nostalgia as an emotional amplifier. They share a steady, reflective pacing that allows the viewer to sink into the era and the characters' lives. The combination of a specific time period with universal themes of youth creates a uniquely resonant and sentimental viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of 20th Century Girl

Don't stop at just watching — explore 20th Century Girl in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what 20th Century Girl is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

20th Century Girl Summary

Read a complete plot summary of 20th Century Girl, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

20th Century Girl Summary

20th Century Girl Timeline

Track the full timeline of 20th Century Girl with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

20th Century Girl Timeline

20th Century Girl Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of 20th Century Girl that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

20th Century Girl Spoiler-Free Summary

More About 20th Century Girl

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about 20th Century Girl: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About 20th Century Girl