User reviews

For the uninitiated, Soon-rye Yim's 'Little Forest' is a remake the Japanese minimal-arthouse film of the same name. I must admit, I was pretty uninitiated, and watched this delightful Korean film first. I actually preferred it to the original, it's a much easier view, focussing on the character Hye-Won played by the excellent Tae-ri Kim and relations with her mother and friends. It's a different approach to the original, more mainstream and accessible. Rural life is at the heart of things, but doesn't always take centre-stage. So, while the Japanese film documents so much detail (weather, food, recipes, cultural events, nature etc.) you lose sight of the people, which may have been the intention. Both films have their merits, but I found this one enchanting. The support work of the other actors makes the story fun and engaging (Jun-yeol Ryu is quite heroic and funny in the role of local farmer Jae-ha, Hye-won's possible 'love interest', and Ki-joo Jin is excellent as the feisty no-nonsense best friend Eun-sook), and there's a nice arc at the end, so some 'matters' seem to be resolved (unlike in the Japanese film, will they make a 3rd version so we can find out what actually happened to the mother, for example?).

So my advice, watch the original 'Little Forest' but take plenty of supplies and climb the 'mountain' in stages (with both 2014's Summer-Autumn and 2015's Winter-Spring that's 4 hours of dense and detailed viewing). While you're making all the necessary preparations, sit back and enjoy this little charmer!

'Little Forest' (2018) was recommended by a film-buff friend just a few days back. Let me first say, I've been watching too many Korean films this year and have become addicted to them (consuming all kinds with relish - from 'Parasite' and 'Burning' to 'The Wailing' and 'Grass') and I searched for the synopsis/summary first. As I began watching thereafter, I realized that the so-called synopsis/summary did not do justice to its brilliance. 'Little Forest' is one of the best and one of the most beautiful films I have seen this year. So, without reading much about the film or its plot, just delve into it. It's worth experiencing. Especially in these trying times, as people all over the world have been struggling, this is a film that heals.

After watching this film, I saw the life that should be. Simple and feels warm, a very beautiful film that deserves to be watched repeatedly. Little Forest makes me want to immediately retire from the city and start living in the countryside someday.

Getting tired of city life, she come back to country side to avoid her problems. This movie gets you trapped in story telling. The problems of single mother and her sacrifices which her daughter is unable to understand when she leaves her just before graduation. Problems understanding each others life perspective, dating issues, city life vs country side life. This compares many life phenomenon, memories with farming amd cooking. How unable to express ones feeling makes things complicated and its all about finding your own 'little forest' to spend the entire life around it. Finding peace with yourself and the job you are doing. Will she solve her problems and calm her mind? The ending is open but clear.

This was such a wonderful surprise - I absolutely want to learn Korean to view in native language - - I can not say enough about the filming, music, minimal production, screen writing and or directing - I did not know the story before but the symbology (ism), metaphors, or cinematic equivalents are very well delivered - might be dismissed by others as trite and done before especially with food as the story teller - but this was so refreshing - -

Kim Tae-ri has mostly done dramatic, ensemble films in her short but extremely promising career. Here she is the dominant character in a slice of life, and she carries it beautifully. There is not twists or turns, just a normal young woman dealing with growing up, and you stay completely engaged in her story thanks to Tae-ri's performance.

The supporting cast, Ryu Jun-yeol and Jin Ki-joo, playing childhood friends are wonderful as well. Ryu isn't the typical looks for a young Korean actor and all the better, he's actually charming.

Food is a supporting character in of itself, of course. Farming and cooking are centering, the work is worth the reward.

And if you wonder what happens at the end, note, she knows what he told the other woman ;)

It took a little time to get wrapped up in the plot, but after that it was a pleasure to watch on many levels. Ultimately, I feel it's about the question of living a simple life or not, but it also touches on other important issues.

A countryside story , where you get lost when you align with the characters. I would say slow paced , beautiful story , with very good cinematography or visuals .

It embarks on a journey of the life , where you tend to miss , yet you want to be there . Movie prolongs - with emotions on the air , stubbornness, dishes, farming , romance , friendship and family . It also show how a young girl fights her situation and gets ahead of it , It is well stitched movie ! Last scene was real good !!

I was well connected , as i wanted to go back to village and do the same .

I love rural plot stories !!!

Song Hye-won, played by Kim Tae-ri, comes back from Seoul to her family home in rural South Korea. She had left the home to get a teacher's certificate and escape it's slow-moving lifestyle. Her mother, played by Moon So-ri, left the home before Hye-won went to college. The father had died.

Some of the things that Hye-won learned growing up included agricultural work and nearly gourmet cooking. Her mother always prepared the most exquisite dishes and as Hye-won grew up she wanted to surpass her mother's skills.

Two of her hometown friends renew their ties to her. Joo Eun-sook, played by Jin Ki-joo is her best girl friend who stayed in the small town and works at a bank. Ki-joo yearns to escape what she sees as a boring existance. Lee Jae-ha, played by Ryu Jun-yeol, had gone to Seoul and worked in on office before deciding to return home to work as a farmer so he could make his own decisions and live life more fitfully.

Delicious meals are lovingly prepared and shared for Hye-won's friends. Hye-won can't decide if she wants to go back to the big city or stay at the family farm. She also mulls over life lessons her mother taught her in flash backs.

All I can say is that is another Korean drama that is of very high quaility. The photography of the farms and the forest are so beautiful. The conflict between mother and daughter is also well done. The scenes of fellowship with Hye-won with Jae-ha and Ki-joo are filled with love and sometimes strife.

The cast did a fantastic job and no doubt Kim Tae-ri will continue to blossom as a leading lady in Korean dramatic films!

Hm, I thought this would be better.

A while ago I saw the Japanese film, the one about summer and autumn. I really liked the feel of that one, the "take-your-time" vibe, the chill vibe, everything. This korean remake encapsulates all the seasons in a year, it doesn't focus so much on the food - even though there are still food porn types of filming when it comes to food - but more on the relationships the main character has with the people around her and ultimately I am not sure this is a better thing, really.

This one works more as a story but the runtime of the japanese film is much more justified and focusing more on the relationship with her mother it makes it much more powerful. I will come to a conclusion about all this cinematic side quest after the winter/spring japanese film.

This movie is not for everyone. Nor it's a classic k movie, focusing either on romance or crime. This one is a remake from the Japanese movies with the same name. However, this version, focuses more on the character and on her struggles rather than the nature and the recipies that she makes during the four seasons. Her relationships mostly revolve around her mother who left one day without explenation. After that, we are presented with the girl's friends and possible love interest, although a love story never gets really developed. Also, the heartwarming atmosphere and the love for a simple life near the nature is there, though it's not the focus of this movie.

Very relaxing and soft movie.

Watched it after Handmaiden to see more Kim Tae Ri and wasn't dissapointed.

This movie is full of love of life and it's simple but beautiful gifts. Good and though times with the Mother Nature are depicted in parallel with beautiful moments between three good friends.

We wouldn't witness all of these simple beauties of life if the movie maker herself was not in love with colors, light, and foods. Every frame of this movie indicates a well thought and crafted scene by a gifted person.

Here the story is flowing in the background without any harm to strength of the movie. There is a positive energy in every elements of this movie and its cast that naturally transmits to the audience and you unconditionally feel good after watching it. Indeed a valuable work and a great movie.

Gentle and sweet movie that relaxes the mind. The brave and feisty heroine of "Mr. Sunshine" is here a woman who rediscovers her self and peace in the land and people of her childhood.

Very simple movie with stylish narration. Acting and story telling is simple still leaves you with awe. Good watch.

The original Japanese one is amazing, I can't bear the idea of the Korean saccharine take on this story, this Is so unnecessary and bordering on criminal.

I discovered the original 2 films several years ago and they had a profound and haunting effect on me, it was almost impossible to find any info because they were so unknown and now if I do a search the remake comes up first.

Tragic.

A beige copy with the usual bland K- Pop looking characters, Jesus wept.

WATCH THE ORGINAL People!

At first this movie may seem a little slow-going, the story goes nearly nowhere. But it has a deep meaning and really peaceful. Also there are lot of foods.

Absolutely wonderful. A movie that you can watch over again and make you rush to the kitchen. Persimmons and chestnuts . Tae-ri Kim is sparkling and gorgeous.

With Kids - Yes, teens !

Watch again - Yes ! Many many many times.

Genre: Feel Good Drama

Its an incredibly beautiful movie about food and friendship. Each and every frames of this film are so beautifully and perfectly blended with the plot. Director is 100% succeed in brilliantly capturing the beauty of country side living and making it into delightful treat to the viewers

Its a story of a young woman who left her part-time job and returns to her village after being tired of city life. She miss the home food and taste of her Mom's cooking, she try's to recreate those dishes. Each and every dish she cooks will increase our appetite and urge us to make something special. Its a well balanced flick and a feast for our mind and eyes.

IF YOU WANT A RELAXING AND CALM MOVIE THEN THIS IS IT , BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER , FRIENDS, SMOOTH DONT GO FOR REVIEWS AND RATINGS JUST WATCH IT.

Hubris is the only explanation I could come up with as to why anyone would want to attempt to "improve" on a version that is already quite good, if not perfect. Watch the Japanese version instead!!

If you wanted to hit someone means please hit them on stomach !!

Film : Little Forest Director : Yim Soon Rye Dop : Lee Seung Hoon Music : Lee Jun Oh Cast : Kim Tae Ri Moon So Ri Ryu Joon

Have you ever seen complete delicious four seasons by taken break from your busy schedule ??

#littleforest is yet simple but beautiful !!

How you going to define lavish, perfect life? Do you think by money or status ? No if choose those then you're misunderstood? When it comes to success or satisfaction ? Which option will you select ? Obviously satisfaction? When you're success, status not consoling, not satisfies you means it's waste of time?

A perfect life is defined by satisfaction !! That exactly this film offer's. You can lead your life, how you wish ? How you wanted to see the things ?



#yimsoonrye that's wonderful you're four seasons of love, friendship, life !!

#kimtaeri such a elagent actress she is ! What a formation from the handm aiden to this film !!

Don't chase the life ? Experience it !!

Little Forest is a very uncomplicated story. Its really focused on the one main character, Hye-won. Everyone else is a much smaller supporting part. It is all about Hye-won. Her friends, relationships with her boyfriend & mother are only presented as to better understand her. You would think such a simple story would drag on & be uninteresting. You would be wrong. Its all the little things that draw you in and keep your attention. The performances especially from Kim Tae-ri are subtle but outstanding. The cinematography is at times stunning. In the end, I felt like I had a year in the country. A year I desperately needed!