Once in a Summer (2006)

Once in a Summer has that rare, aching sincerity that makes a romance feel less like a plot and more like a memory you can’t quite shake—tender, sunlit, and quietly devastating in the best way. Framed by a present-day search for someone long lost, it drifts back into the past with a nostalgic glow, letting small gestures and unspoken feelings do the heavy lifting instead of melodrama. Lee Byung-hun and Soo Ae give performances that feel lived-in and disarmingly human, drawing you close until you realize you’ve been holding your breath. If you prefer fast, twisty love stories, this may feel gentle and deliberate, but if you’re open to a beautifully made, heartwarming film that earns its tears, it’s absolutely worth the trip.

Once in a Summer is clearly aiming for a wistful, memory-soaked romance that uses a modern-day TV show setup to unlock a long-buried love story. The problem is that the central beats can feel familiar and a bit lightweight, so if you want a romance with sharp surprises or real emotional bite, you may find yourself ahead of the film. The framing device with the producer’s assistant and the “missing persons” show can also come off oddly tacked on, like an unnecessary wrapper around the part you actually came to watch. Still, if you’re in the mood for a gentle, nostalgic melodrama and can overlook some awkward choices (including occasionally distracting makeup), it can be an easy, sentimental watch.