Qing chun 18×2 tong wang you ni de lü cheng

This movie moved me deeply - I happened to watch it on my plane ride back from my first experience traveling to Taiwan. I related to a lot of how the protagonist felt during his developmental years as a restless soul looking to find himself.

I felt that this movie beautifully captured the existential tension between past (& present) loves. And the process of letting go despite the pain from dreams/life unlived. Although this type of story has been done before and is a recurring trope, this felt like a fresh take with great character development, and a rich view into the cultural context of both Japan/Taiwan.

Overall I think this movie is super underrated, and I highly recommend it for all audiences regardless of cultural background or age (young or old), since we can relate to the humanity in the characters.

If you like movies that breathe and take you on a journey, this movie is for you. I really felt like I knew the characters as I watched it due to excellent character development and writing. The cinematography and pacing were excellent as were the performances of everyone involved. I just returned from Taiwan a few weeks ago and after watching this, I suddenly felt a yearning to return because the movie made that place seem like a wonderland. As a guy who is in his fifties, for me 18 X 2 drives home the brevity of human existence and how important it is to savor life and live when you can. Bittersweet, but worth the experience. Watch this with someone you love.

"18x2: Beyond Youthful Days" is the kind of film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Its quiet storytelling, cinematic warmth, and beautifully restrained performances made it feel less like a movie and more like a memory I was being gently pulled into. The pacing is slow but intentional, allowing each emotion to breathe-nothing is rushed, and that's what makes the emotional payoff so powerful.

I felt an effortless connection to the characters, their longing, and the tenderness buried in the everyday. The cinematography is breathtaking in its simplicity-never showy, but always meaningful. And those final 30 minutes? An emotional crescendo that completely broke me in the best way.

This isn't just a love story. It's a reflection on time, choices, and the people we carry with us even when they're gone. Subtle, honest, and achingly beautiful.

I am a huge fan of Taiwanese movies and this one did not disappoint. This movie is beautiful and poignant, and even though I could kind of see how it would end from the beginning, it was still done tastefully. Between the flashbacks from 18 years ago and the present time, the movie weaved a touching story about two people who fell in love but weren't destined to be together. Even so, they spent each day appreciating every moment. They lived and learned and although they couldn't love, the feelings had already grown within them. They were young and hopeful, but they were also scared of the unknown and of hurting each other. And just like that, time had slipped by and 18 years had flown by. It left me feeling a little sad honestly. Anyway, the cinematography and colour grading in this movie is excellent and it was a visual feast.

Interesting. I've been thinking about a similar core for a story for many years, now.

So, while I anticipated the direction it would take early on, it was also deeply rewarding to see a similar core so well-executed. It felt like finally closing a book I'd been reading for ages.. or as if I was watching something that was made for me, and loosely based on similar experiences and thoughts.

Naturally, this film is far more developed than anything I could have created, with its rich layers and memorable moments. The scenery, the narrative structure, and the excellent leading actors. It's so much more than just the basic framework I had in mind! With people from different places, cultures and languages.

Today, I'm quite satisfied.