In this week’s review, we’re diving into a heartfelt story about young love, adulthood, and the quiet reality of drifting apart. Let’s talk about the 2025 film ‘Once We Were Us’.
Based on ‘Us and Them’ by René Liu, ‘Once We Were Us’ beautifully captures the story of two people who love each other deeply, but still find themselves pulled apart by life.
Lee Eun-ho (Koo Kyo-hwan) and Han Jeong-won (Moon Ga-young) first meet as teenagers on a bus ride to their hometown. Their introduction is simple yet memorable, Jeong-won takes Eun-ho’s window seat, sparking a quiet but meaningful connection. When the bus breaks down, Eun-ho offers her a ride with his father, marking the beginning of a bond that will shape their lives.
As the years pass, their friendship grows stronger. By the time they reach university, they are inseparable, supporting each other through studies, dreams, and everyday struggles. But everything changes one New Year’s Eve, when a drunken kiss blurs the line between friendship and love.
Growing Together
Now a couple, Eun-ho and Jeong-won embrace the highs and lows of young love. Their relationship is filled with warmth, passion, and the occasional argument, just like any couple in their early 20s.
However, reality soon sets in. When Eun-ho’s father falls ill, the pair are forced to put their dreams on hold and focus on survival. Financial pressure begins to weigh heavily on them, and the carefree days of youth are replaced with responsibility and uncertainty.
As their struggles intensify, cracks begin to form in their relationship. Despite their deep love for each other, they find themselves drifting apart, until one final argument leads to a painful breakup.
A Second Chance at Closure
Ten years later, fate brings them together again on a flight. When a typhoon causes cancellations, they are forced to spend the night together, revisiting the past they once shared.
In this quiet reunion, they finally ask the questions they never dared to before. Through honest conversations and shared memories, they reflect on their love, their mistakes, and the choices that led them down different paths.
Storytelling Through Color
One of the film’s most striking elements is its visual storytelling. The present timeline begins in black and white, reflecting the emotional distance between them. As they reminisce, their memories unfold in vibrant color, bringing their past love story back to life.
Gradually, as they confront their unresolved feelings and find closure, the present itself begins to fill with color. It’s a subtle yet powerful way of showing emotional healing and acceptance.
A Bittersweet Reflection
‘Once We Were Us‘ is a beautifully crafted slice-of-life romance that explores the idea that love alone isn’t always enough to keep two people together. It’s about timing, growth, and the difficult reality of choosing different paths.
Both Koo Kyo-hwan and Moon Ga-young deliver deeply moving performances, capturing the vulnerability and complexity of their characters with authenticity. Their chemistry feels natural and lived-in, making every moment, whether joyful or heartbreaking, feel real.
This film is equal parts comforting and bittersweet, a reminder of the people who shape us, even if they don’t stay in our lives forever.
If you’re in the mood for a reflective, emotional watch, ‘Once We Were Us’ is definitely worth adding to your list. Be sure to check out the trailer below.
