A trip down memory lane
A charming film about the bittersweet nature of puppy love, When I Turned Nine will delight both adults and children with its refreshing humour and uplifting spirit.
Based on a best-selling Korean novel, the film revolves around Yeo-min (Kim Suk), a nine-year-old village boy who is a caring son and a loyal friend. A good fighter, Yeo-min protects his best friend Ki-jong from bullies and keeps peace in the neighbourhood.
His world is turned upside down with the arrival of a rich classmate, Woo-rim, from Seoul. Yeo-min can't help falling in love with the arrogant girl, even though she is always getting him into trouble.
When Yeo-min is wrongly accused by his teacher of stealing money from Woo-rim, the boy realises that school, friendship, family and, above all, love, are more complicated than he had imagined.
Although the the film centres on the innocent love between Yeo-min and Woo-rim, scriptwriter Lee Man-hee enriches the story with colourful characters and memorable subplots. There is a kind-hearted scrap-buyer who offers popcorn to the children, a tragic closet philosopher who falls for an elegant piano teacher, and a stern teacher who misunderstands his students.
There are plenty of melodramatic elements for crybabies to savour, but it is the subtle moments that are particularly touching. The scene in which Yeo-min reluctantly washes Woo-rim's shoes by the river will bring a smile to the face of anyone who has ever come across a snooty princess who steals everyone's heart and is difficult to please.
Director Yun In-ho's plain and realistic style of direction suits the film well. His visuals, which have an olive green tone, convey a feeling of warmth and tenderness.
For young children, When I Turned Nine is a realistic portrayal of the experience of growing up. And for those over the age of nine, the film is a delightful walk down memory lane.
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