Title:
- 初雪の恋 Hatsukoi no Yuki
- 첫눈 Cheonnun
- First Love
- Virgin Snow
- Japan
- South Korea
- Japanese
- Korean
Cast:
- 이준기 Lee Jun Gi
- 宮崎あおい Miyazaki Aoi
- 塩谷瞬 Shioya Shun
- 森田彩華 Morita Ayaka
- 柳生みゆ Yagyu Miyu
- 乙葉 Otoha
- 余貴美子 Yo Kimiko
SYNOPSIS
Kim Min is a Korean high school student who relocates to Japan because of his father, an exchange professor and a pottery expert. While wandering around the city of Kyoto, he meets a beautiful Japanese girl named Sasaki Nanae.
They get to know each other despite the language barrier (he speaks Korean, she speaks Japanese) through lots of pointing, some sign language, and a spattering of broken English. Because of their desire to communicate with each other, they study each other's native languages; Min studies Japanese, and Nanae takes up Korean.
Nanae is a painter and she's interested in the art of pottery painting. Min says he knows how to make pottery (although he really doesn't) and Nanae makes him promise to make her a vase that she could paint. Min starts to take pottery lessons from his father to keep his promise to Nanae.
Nanae has to move away because of her complicated family life and although she doesn't tell Min about her plans, she gives him a parting gift. Min had to go to South Korea to visit his ailing grandmother and when he returns to Japan, he couldn't find Nanae anywhere.
REVIEW
Hatsukoi no Yuki is visually entertaining because the locations are amazing; from the nooks and crannies of Kyoto City, Japan to some wonderful places in Seoul City, South Korea.
It is one of the few Japanese movies that has a happy ending but the fact that it is a joint production between Japan and South Korea might account for that.
Lee Jun Gi and Miyazaki Aoi are both great actors but I think Miyazaki Aoi stood out in this production. It seems as if she knows her character Sasaki Nanae quite well.
Kim Min and Nanae have different personalities, it's a wonder they got together. Min is extroverted and gregarious while Nanae is shy and quiet. I can't help but think whether these characters are realistic portrayals or ideal representations -- Min of the typical Korean man and Nanae of the typical Japanese woman. Perhaps a mix of both.
The struggle of communicating with another person, especially if there is a language barrier, is clearly presented in the movie. It is manifested as the two lead characters try to get to know each other but it is particularly evident when Nanae was trying to find words to explain her disappearing act.
I can understand Min's bitterness and frustration when Nanae left. He felt helpless that he did not know anything and could not do anything about Nanae's problems. I can relate to his frustration that he was not properly informed when a decision affecting him was made and was left to deal in a situation with gray areas the best way he can.
I can understand Nanae's actions though and I actually admire her strong character. I respect her for deciding to take responsibility for herself and for her family instead of passing the responsibility on to someone else. And she did leave some note, Min is just not aware of it.
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첫눈 Cheonnun
初雪の恋 Hatsukoi no Yuki
