Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned (2016) User Reviews

Profound teenage drama with a sinister fantasy twist

[kluseba · 8/10 · 21 July 2017]

Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned is a South Korean fantasy drama that convinces with an intriguing story mixing fantasy and reality with great acting performances despite a few minor lengths in the middle section. The film has a lot of depth as it deals with the topics of friendship, life and trust in a gripping way. The two main characters are authentic, dynamic and sympathetic and most viewers will care about their fates until the very end. The camera work is accurate and slow, the light techniques add a lot of atmosphere, the Locations are mysterious and original, the soundtrack underlines the movie's atmospheric parts and even the special effects are gorgeous yet down-to-earth which is a perfect mixture most Asian fantasy movies fail to achieve.

The story revolves around the friendship of two young outsiders that most viewers might identify with because they are both profound, sympathetic and resilient. Su-rin is a teenage girl whose divorced mother died and who has moved to an island with her stepfather. She doesn't really get a long with her busy stepfather, fails to make new friends and is often seen as weird because of her interest in the occult. She's a creative, emotional and smart Girl who even develops a secret sign language. Sung-min is a joyful, optimistic and quirky orphan boy who has a crush on the mysterious girl that is so different from all the others. He works very hard to get closer to her and gradually develops an intense friendship and even romantic relationship to the older Girl despite his friends' negative comments. One day, the young couple and two teenage friends discover a mysterious cave in a forest where they find a shining egg in a hidden lake. When Su-rin returns to the cave to look for a lost hairpin, the three boys break the mysterious egg and provoke a supernatural event that will have immediate, short-term and long-term consequences for everyone involved as well as for their families and the island's small community. Telling you anything more would take away from the creative plot.

While the event that kicks the story off is a supernatural one, the rest of the story is particularly realistic and has a strong emotional, philosophical and psychological touch. Heart-breaking moments and thoughtful passages meet brief moments of hope and joy. The story remains interesting until the end that some might see as a happy and others as a sad ending which makes it even more interesting depending on your point of view.

Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned is a particularly great movie for intellectual teenagers because of the two brilliant main characters but anyone who likes profound dramas or thoughtful fantasy movies should give this clever film a fair chance. Once again, South Korean cinema has managed to create a profound teenage movie that easily beats Hollywood's current wave of teenage movies around the Hunger Games or Insurgent franchises.

Quite Enjoyable Korean Fantasy/Drama

[pc95 · 8/10 · 12 September 2017]

(spoilers) Korean film "Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned" (Korean translated), was a great watch on a recent plane ride for me - probably the best off all the movies watched during the ride. Director Tae-Hwa Eom has put together a well done and tender drama ribboned with fantasy and a bit of science fiction. The movie excels on the strength of its main child actors especially Eun-Soo Shin, and although it follows some of the concepts of "Big" and "Vice Versa" it is obviously more contemporary than those earlier American films. Editing and cinematography are competent. The filmmakers spend the extra needed time developing lead characters to give the us roots and investment in the characters and then takes off into fantasy. Although a 2016 film, one of the better movies I've seen this year. Recommended 8/10

A work of art.

[lbovino · 8/10 · 31 March 2020]

Like another review on this website, I too started it very late, with the intention to continue it the following day. Midnight to be precise. And It's now 3am and I'm writing a review of it on imdb. I don't think I've ever reviewed a movie on IMDb.

So that should be enough to at least get you to watch it.

It's a brilliant film on so many different levels. And it kept on giving.

I raise my glass to Um Tae-hwa. Well done. I hope to see something from him again soon.

Nice korean fantasy film..!!

[kamalbeeee · 7/10 · 19 July 2020]

Five kids make the world freeze by a magic egg..then They face unexpected things and try to solve those problems..

Hooks you in!

[PaulB2814 · 9/10 · 23 August 2018]

Started watching this film very late with the intention on continuing the following day. Ended up staying up very late to watch the entire thing as the film just sucked me right in with it.

I'm a big lover of South Korean cinema and surprised this one slipped by me, especially as it was released in 2016, a standout year for Korean cinema.

I feel this film drops a multiple of genres in to it without losing itself in the process and often keeps us wondering.

As this film has yet to receive 1000 votes, and you happen to come across this review on this site, don't waste any time and watch this film as soon as possible.

Movie that stays with you

[AviShakes · 7/10 · 5 November 2021]

Deeply touching and beautiful movie. If feelings are true for someone. They are for lifetime. And you can feel their presence even when you are not aware of it. That's what the main point of this movie is. Using a fantasy element, a beautiful love story is built here.

Highly recommended

[TwentyCalls · 9/10 · 30 November 2018]

It took me a while to finally pick this movie up to watch, after watching other more recent blockbusters. In hindsight, I should have watched it when it was released. I could easily place this movie as a romance - in the end, it depicts what sacrifice one would make in order to save his loved one. Very good story telling, not a moment of dullness and really engaged you into the story till the end. "Time" is indeed the most precious and valuable asset we all have.

Unreal time gimmick and unreal reactions of supposedly normal people.

[duveyoung · 7/10 · 27 March 2020]

It just is so hard to see how ALL WRITERS IN HISTORY so badly write what children will do. The sheer stupidity of the adults who fail to be thorough and the besmirching of children everywhere with these characters illogical stunted emotionalism.

It forces the viewer to scream inside one's skull -- TELL THEM THAT. TELL THEM THIS. Take them there. Show them. Etc. Frustration level in this film reached red-line.

I rate it a seven because of production values, but the script is bad and the ending was not twisty as much as it was more of the same stupidity of supposed children characters.

Writers are kid haters? WTH?

When the time froze, but not one's growth.

[Reno-Rangan · 9/10 · 4 December 2017]

There's nothing left to say about the Korean film industry. I've already praised highlighting all the best stuffs. One thing they lack is the awards winning capability, like perhaps the Oscars. Cinematically and entertainment perspective, they always give a top notch product. Particularly, the kind of emotions they use, is very closely appeals to my culture, probably for the rest of the world as well. All I have heard about this was a fantasy film. Beyond that, it was a little romance, a little emotional and a little thriller.

There are a large number of people outside the South Korea follow the Korean films. Though this one is definitely an under-noticed a great piece of work. I don't know this director, but he wrote and made it pretty awesomely. This kind of tale very much suitable for anime. It's going to be just like another 'Your Name'. If they decide to make it with the small changes, I'm absolutely on to it.

The title is not really enchanting for a fantasy film. But definitely makes sense on what it narrates. This is a fantasy film, though, since time involved in it, it automatically a small part of science fiction too. They had well covered all the loopholes and flaws. They did not detail out all minute things, but if you think little intelligently, you will get all the answers for your doubts. For instance, how that asthma boy had died.

From a small Korean island town, the story followed a teenage girl, Soo-rin who recently moved in there with her stepfather. She was considered a weirdo in the school for being lonely. Then a boy named Sung-min befriends her and become girlfriend-boyfriend. One day they along with two other boys venturing to the nearby mountain forest, discovered a glowing object. In the next minute, everything has changed. All of them disappeared, except the girl. Now the town is enraged by her little story.

❝Let me grow to 6ft. Earn $10 dollar before age 30.❞

Nobody knows what had happened, including Soo-rin, until a man who approached her telling some strange story. She finds a reason to believe that, but not anyone else. It goes on like they are fighting to tell the truth to the world, but it was beyond reality. Adds more complication every time they try to explain it. Without any options to solve it, where the remaining narration heads and ends were told quite nicely, emotionally.

The story was simple, but the details makes is more complex. Easy to follow, there's always an explanation for everything you see. Contents wise, it is a well balanced for children's and the grown- ups viewing. Whenever a film theme involved messing with time, it has to be very clever. Because time naturally does not exist in the universe. It is the human's creation to understand everything's existence. I think they have designed this story with the characters so well. It could be a time travel theme too, if you take it from a different perspective.

Two hours long film, but that did not bother me. Because I well merged with the story. The twist came early itself as the storytelling demanded it. But there were many turns in the later parts. Especially the entire second half is less excitement if you are a fantasy film fan. Though it gets tense for every scene, and creates curiosity about the conclusion. Not the best ending, yet very suitable one. What I am impressed with it was how smartly they used the graphics. They did not require higher end. Simple and believable visuals, compared to Hollywood's similar style flicks. One such interesting fact was, they wanted the story to lead the film than the colourful graphics.

Nice performances. The locations were good too. There are some moments that reminds other films. Nothing like it stole from them, though for the similarity in the thematic and the situations. The overall film theme was not out and out fresh. It simply changed a few rules and with the kind of development, it created its own identity. As for me, this is one of the top ten fantasy films of the decade and top ten in all time Korean fantasy film. As I said, if you love this genre, then it is a must see. Highly recommended!

9/10

Magic

[heniekb · 9/10 · 12 December 2018]

A beautifully shot movie with an unusual sci-fi plot, highly recommended to all fans of the genre. It starts slowly but once fantasy elements kick in it is really worth seeing. Much better than 'Will you be there?' that came up the same year. A few original ideas not only around perception of time but let's not forget the cryptic alphabet between the 2 protagonists. I thought the acting could be better that's why only 9/10.

Amazing drama, fantasy movie

[dahm-17502 · 9/10 · 12 January 2020]

The photograph was awesome, the story was GREAT, the character was talented

SO THIS MOVIE IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE

(Dahm)

Amazing Story

[budidonk · 9/10 · 5 November 2020]

First time when the time is Frozen, with your friends with you, this could be an adventure. But when you choose to did it again and being old alone by yourself for saving someone you love, its sacrifice...

If I could live like that.😍

[i_sagar · 10/10 · 17 September 2019]

I have seen many stories and movies of magic in my life.This is the best magical movie I've ever seen in my life.This movie is better than harry potter series😇

Better than you think!

[asupatty · 10/10 · 27 September 2019]

This is not your ordinary K drama. It's over the top well written, acted and enough plot twists to keep watching. The lead actor never fails to entertain. Netflix ends its showing on 9/30/2019 but you can stream at Viki. Time slip at its best. You won't be disappointed!

✨✨Beyond Imaginable Horizons ✨✨

[vpashish · 9/10 · 31 December 2021]

At first I was really not expecting the movie to turn out this great. I just liked the unique story and thought I should give it a shot. But this turned out to be a great masterpiece. Everything about this movie is just amazing, the exceptionally brillant acting by all actors especially by the two leads. The groundbreaking storyline, direction at its best, music also at its best, etc. I remember that at start I kept a cup of tea to drink beside my laptop and after two hours realised that it was untouched for the whole duration. That is the intensity and level of involvement & grip of this movie. An absolute masterpiece.

You really need to see this. The Korean entertainment industry is really exceptional, they take such simple and unique concepts and convert them into a concrete masterpiece. This movie will take you on a journey beyond dimensions. The level of creativity and deep thinking that has gone into development of this movie is just phenomenal. I wish one day I also could find that egg.

Pretty interesting concept for a movie

[nonsoukeka · 8/10 · 8 July 2019]

I can't praise this movie enough, but I will give it a sin. This movie would be over in 5 minutes if only the detective actually listened to his subordinates and ran a DNA test or fingerprint scan to verify that the man really was really Sung-min 🤷🏾. They just wasted a bunch of time and resources hunting him down.

Sidenote: as an actor, it must've been really awkward for Shin Eun-soo and Gang Dong-Won to play the part of forbidden love given their HUGE age difference.

A fine Korean time-slip

[AJ_McAninch · 8/10 · 23 March 2019]

The Koreans do wonderful work in romance, fantasy, and time slip, and this film also combines the Korean sensitivity with portraying children and young people. Even so, the film has twists that move it beyond sci-fi and more into explorations of time, love, devotion, sacrifice, and more. Also, the writing, direction, and actors are all excellent, and I was swept in from the beginning by the relationships between the kids, and then the two leads' sensitive portrayals of their characters in a difficult transition within the story. My only reservation is the ending seemed rushed, which can be an issue in some Korean films and dramas, but it does work...just a bit flat IMO. Still, I do strongly recommend this little jewel.

A movie about Loneliness & innocense,seems Fantasy but its not A Must watch

[jsaleem-89705 · 9/10 · 4 July 2020]

I watched this movie with no exceptation i think maybe another Childern,light hearted movie ,but Big Nooooo movie turned out with mingblowing Twist & realistic a story about Loneliness,harshness of society & discuss Taboo subject deeply

Magical!

[celinka20 · 10/10 · 17 June 2023]

There have been so many time-travel movies and TV shows in recent decades, and that has made the subject matter feel exhausted and sometimes downright boring. It is so hard to recycle an idea and present in a way that is creative and does not fall into the traps of all the previous cliched plot lines. This one is a gem.

The storyline is well thought-out so that it does't have some silly plot holes. The cinematography is lovely, as is the set is magical. The best part is the acting by both young and old actors. Shin Eun-Soo and Lee Hyo-Je were so natural, esp. In the scenes where it might even make adults act awkwardly. Later on, Kang Dong-Wan and Shin Sun-Soo acted with such ease around one another, as if they really had known each other all their lives.

It's a moving story about friendship, loyalty and having faith in people.

I re-watch this movie once every couple of years just to relive the magic.

Masterpiece...

[panta-4 · 9/10 · 21 July 2021]

Korean movies are always full of surprises and refreshing ideas... and this one, story-wise, must be having one of the most fantastic stories while claiming that it is a real event!

Mixed genre masterpiece of time-slip experience, drama, mystery, coming of age, crime and love story - all parts pushing to the max without losing itself in the process!

Wait for the credits, and try to decipher the secret messages... becomes even better after 2 hours and 13 minutes watching charismatic young actors giving everything best! Eun-soo Shin as Soo-rin will be remembered forever with this role.. at least by me!

Lost for words

[steli-os · 8/10 · 18 March 2021]

I just finished watching this movie and I'm actually a little shocked. I really didn't think I would like it so much.

The little girl's acting is amazing. And there is good enough acting in general. The visuals and audio are also good. There are plenty imperfections but I find the overall outcome incredible and mostly the ending. I'm afraid that I'll be thinking about it a lot for days, if not for weeks.

This is going on my favourites list. It will be the 17th of that list and I've watched countless movies so far in my life. It's going to be the "worst" of them because of its flaws, but at the same time, one of the best because of its story and most of all the ending.

A Timeless Masterpiece Of Outstanding Creational Amazement And Talent!

[silicontourist · 10/10 · 23 December 2021]

In my extensive lifetime I have watched over 30,000 films and this just slamdunked right into my top 10 films ever...according to myself.

South Korean cinema is an incredible abundance of talent from actors, actresses, directors, cameramen, lighting, special FX and much more. It needs to be to produce the immense amount of such incrediblely made films. If their was an International Film Oscar award every year then, you would see South Korea winning it just about every single year. America, China, Russia (whose film industry has made some amazing films in recent years, and is making huge steps in their professional output) - and some other up and coming asian countries - would win now and then...based upon the law of averages (as America no longer makes the really quality productions that they did at one time etc).

There are many reveiwers decribing this film totally wrong and may lead you to expect things that, quite honestly, you just won't see. There are no twists or sinister happenings! Its just a simple fantasy mystery story about children getting accidentally involved in a timefreeze singularity. Its magical, the actors are downright outstanding and your attention is never given the chance to wander from screen for one moment; you dare not as you may miss something! Its a kind of grown up childish imaginative fantasy that the author may have experienced as a child themselves and, just had to find some way of putting it into words...in the form of a story. You will have missed one of the best films ever made if you don't see this.

Love Knows No Bounds

[terbonb · 10/10 · 29 September 2023]

First, I've read through the other reviews here and happy to see that each in their own way express my same feelings about this movie and the Korean movie industry...I have been watching Korean kdrama movies, comedies, series for well over the past year...I am honest when I say, I rarely watch a English speaking production these days, and when I do...I am usually disappointed in the quality. There is just something about the abilities of the Koreans and Japanese to tell a story that makes you laugh, laugh and cry and hold on to your breath and seat. This moview, Vanishing Time, did all those things for me.

It is a fantasy love story - of innocent young and devoted love with twists along the lines of Shyamalan. One could over-analyze the story and the ending, but it's about two young teens first love struggling against all fanstasy odds to stay together - the story, the acting, visuals, music make it perfect.

Outstanding! Highly recommended!

[vicknair-66656 · 10/10 · 10 November 2022]

Shin Eun-soo does a stellar job as the protagonist in Vanishing Time. She is innocent and believable throughout her performance as Su-rin, the girl who gets left behind. Gang Dong-won is a believable adult Sung-min, but the young actor Lee Hyo-je is also brilliant as the boy version of this sadly lost character.

These three actors bring to life this mysterious story of goblin eggs and lives lost to time. I almost didn't watch this film, and now I'm so glad that I did.

Highly recommend watching the film. There is a deep sadness to it, but also a gift of hope. Praises to all the cast who gave such great performances, and to the storyteller and director who brought it to life.

Watch this with a support animal

[elishaeb · 9/10 · 21 August 2022]

A mystical coming of age movie. Everytime I watch this I'm transported to another place. Its my favourite movie of all time. Hits hard but not as hard as Grave of the Fireflies thankfully.