When memory becomes more vivid than the present

The Korean cinematic landscape is graced with a poignant new release, ‘Once We Were Us,’ directed by Kim Doyoung. This adaptation of the 2018 Chinese film ‘Us and Them’ delves into the profound depths of love, loss, and the often-bittersweet tapestry of memory, offering an emotional resonance rarely found in contemporary romance films.

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The film opens in black and white during the present-day reunion, while flashbacks of their past burst into colour.

The narrative, set against the backdrop of Seoul in 2008, traces the evolving relationship between Eun-ho and Jeong-won. Their initial chance encounter blossoms into a deep connection as they navigate the challenges of city life, finding solace in shared dreams and quiet desperation. However, life's harsh realities eventually pull them apart, only for fate to reunite them a decade later, forcing a confrontation with their past and the echoes of what might have been.

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Koo Kyohwan and Moon Ka-young are remarkable in their roles. Their chemistry is undeniable, holding the audience in place as the emotional tension steadily builds.

Director Kim Doyoung employs a bold visual strategy, contrasting the muted, black-and-white palette of their present-day reunion with the vivid, saturated colors of their past. This cinematic choice powerfully underscores the emotional void in their current relationship while celebrating the intensity of their shared history. The performances by Koo Kyohwan and Moon Ka-young are central to the film's success, their undeniable chemistry and nuanced portrayals bringing a raw vulnerability and quiet devastation to the screen, making ‘Once We Were Us’ a truly moving cinematic experience.

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There is a quiet restraint to her portrayal; she avoids the more overt, dramatic expressions of grief often seen on screen. As a result, when her emotions finally surface, they land with devastating force.