With the Korean Wave being a significant cultural boom, the latest movies are making its way into the United States. Soulmate was released in March 2023, and is adapted from a Chinese film of the same name. The film is a precious embodiment of lifelong friendships of two best friends. Our Beloved Summer actor Kim Da Mi plays Mi-so, a free-spirited soul. In the movie, she is best friends with actor Jeon So Nee who plays Ha-eun, a cautious and polite person. They couldn’t be more different but they become friends quickly at a young age.
Mi-So lives unapologetically resulting in hertesting the loyalty of their friendship. As they live through decades together, Mi-So and Ha-Eun try to balance what they want as they grow into adulthood together.
When Mi-So goes on to pursue art, that turns her and Ha-Eun’s friendship into long distance. Mi-So suffers in her own way without Ha-Eun there to be with her. When they finally meet-up after a few years, even though they kept in contact, their lifestyles changed more than they wanted it to.
What made the plot so enticing was the unpredictability. I could apply myself so easily, like it was my own friendships unfolding before me, yet I craved for ‘what’s next.’ I questioned whether or not they would stay together.
The cinematography is phenomenal. The colors in the scene are brighter when the best friends are together. When desire separates them, lively places are dull. The camera angles were like looking at someone with jealousy portraying how Ha-Eun and Mi-So feel in different points through their friendship
I find these characters relatable and comfortable. Ha-Eun yearns to make herself loveable. Not by pleasing people with looks but with actions which feel relatable. . However this makes her give up on what she truly wants to pursue. Ha-Eun and Mi-So’s friendship symbolizes unrestricted happiness. Whenever they were together they never sacrificed a moment and never cared about the small things like how they would laugh when they were together. This makes the character come across as relatable and care free which is refreshing. We can laugh without covering our mouth for the sake of femininity around each other.
This movie about friendship taught me what love in friendship looks like.. It made me question, do I yearn to constantly make myself loveable or do I want to learn how to love? I stopped looking at people as if I needed to gain something from them. So, I strongly recommend this movie for people in need of a comfort-film. It is perfect to watch with a friend.