In this edition of our movie review, we want to highlight a true hidden gem not many are talking about. Let’s dive into the 2025 film ‘Midnight Sun’.
Written and directed by Cho Young-jun, ‘Midnight Sun’ tells the emotional story of a 20-year-old girl who lives with a life-threatening sensitivity to sunlight, forcing her to live almost entirely after dark.
Lee Mi-sol (played beautifully by Jung Ji-so) has spent her entire life hiding from the sun due to XP, a rare disease that makes any exposure to ultraviolet light dangerous. Despite her limitations, Mi-sol does her best to remain hopeful and joyful, finding comfort in music and allowing herself small nightly adventures when the world is quiet and safe. From her window, she watches Kim Min-jun (Cha Hak-yeon), a kind fruit seller who captures her attention with nothing more than his presence. Gathering her courage, she eventually steps outside one night to buy apples from him, an innocent moment that sparks something much deeper.
As the nights pass, Mi-sol and Min-jun grow closer, meeting after his shifts and bonding over small conversations and shared moments. Mi-sol lies about her daytime “busy work schedule” to hide her condition, but their friendship blossoms naturally. When she sings one of her self-composed songs for him, Min-jun is so touched that he invites her to the cinema, leading to sweet late-night walks, dinners, and a growing affection neither of them can ignore.
Mi-sol eventually gathers the courage (with a bit of liquid help) to reveal her illness, but the situation spirals when she accidentally falls asleep in his car and wakes up just before sunrise, sending her into panic as she races to avoid the daylight.
Although shaken, Min-jun soon discovers the truth on his own and chooses to stay by her side, not as a friend this time, but as her devoted boyfriend. Their relationship is gentle, supportive, and incredibly heartwarming, with Min-jun constantly reminding Mi-sol of her talent and encouraging her to believe in herself.
With his support, Mi-sol starts a YouTube channel to share her music, and her videos quickly go viral, attracting the admiration of thousands. Surrounded by a loving family, a caring boyfriend, and a newfound audience, Mi-sol begins living the life she always dreamed of. But as her disease silently progresses, her dreams are threatened, and the film gracefully portrays the heartbreaking reality of fighting against time.
Throughout the movie, we witness Mi-sol’s incredible growth, her courage, her kindness, her willingness to share her music, and her ability to inspire others despite her struggles. ‘Midnight Sun’ is ultimately a touching celebration of living fully, loving deeply, and embracing life before it slips away. It is an inspiring story of bravery, determination, and the power of connection.
If you haven’t heard about it yet, make sure to check out the trailer below.
