Ditto

It's been almost fifteen years since this South Korean romantic drama was released, and yet, even now, it has lost none of its poignancy. In 1979, So-Eun (Kim Ha-Neul), a university student, by chance, stumbles upon a ham radio whilst attempting to capture the attention of Dong-Hee (Park Yong-Woo), a fellow student she strongly admires. In order to convince Dong-Hee that her appreciation for the ham radio is legitimate, she begins to converse with a young man on the other end, Ji-In (Yoo Ji-Tae), a fellow student attending the same university, however, 21 years into the future, in the year 2000.

Although neither of them is capable of initially believing that they happen to inhabit different periods of time, they begin to have a profound affect over each other, and in so doing, shape their characters and lives. So-Eun's sweet friend Seon-Mi (Kim Min-Joo) and Ji-In's occasionally inebriated, yet charmingly caring friend Seo Hyun-Ji (Ha Ji-Won), equally believe the distance in time to be nonsense, but as events begin to slowly become even more realistic, the question of whether the changes that commence are actually for the better, begin to plague the leads.

The characterization is certainly impressive, distinct impressions being made that help the audience clearly identify each character as they subtly grow, maturing into the individuals they shall later become. The focus on the leads however means that many of the secondary characters, from friends to familial members, are provided limited screen time or depth.

The directional style moreover, clearly emphasizes the impact each character has over the other, and how their lives begin to intersect, even despite the massive difference in time. Initially, So-Eun and Ji-In are continuously shown in separate scenes, skipping from one to another. Later, both appear, side by side, like a comic strip, before we eventually see them, in their own times, walking in the same locations, So-Eun fading out as Ji-In is superimposed over her, following in her footsteps.

From the sweeping melody of the piano, to the use of stringed instruments, the audience is frequently being serenaded by beautiful music. Although this initially sets the scene for what gradually is to come, the music for the most part mainly serves as a beautiful companion for the story, until later, when it begins to solidify and cement the emotions that really impact the viewer.

The use of color, especially at the beginning, where a vast amount of bright pinks and reds occupy the screen, thus evident of the romantic themed plot, is incredibly flattering on the senses, which are capable of being later contrasted with the beautiful lily white snow. These changes are additionally evident in the plot, the elements of humor, social awkwardness and friendship, being overtaken in the film's later stages with a greater focus on melodrama.

Though the feature's conclusion is neither forced or peculiar, offering viewer's an ending that effectively fits with the narrative and characters, one cannot potentially feel as though they are been deprived of something deeper, which only adds to the intensity of the emotions the ending reveals. Ditto is one of those rare great films that are incredibly difficult to find, but if by luck, you, dear reader, manage to procure a copy, you shall not be disappointed.

If you like to watch a moving drama, you must watch Ditto. Taking a bit from Frequency, Ditto tells us about love and relationship among peoples.

The story telling flows like poetry, beautiful and touching, but it runs with slow pace. Well, it doesn't matter with me, because it entertains me with its rhyme.

In general, the movie is great, even in technically is not that good. But, like many others Korean drama movies, it won't fail to satisfy you. Trust me.

8/10

I was leary of spending the time watching "Ditto" on the Japan Air flight I was on as it would interfere with my nap. This was a refreshingly nice twist to the story lines like Frequency and many Star Trek episodes...

Melancholy and sad moments were balanced out with the innocence of the female lead's character, it never got overly heavy with sadness. No nudity and very minimal abusive language.

I can understand why many people would like this film. To a certain kind of person this may be very appealing.

But I have to agree with LostMyHairbrush. I am a fan of Korean drama / fantasy / scifi. While this film has a moderately interesting plot and a good twist, it fails to deliver in both directing and acting. The characters come across 2-dimensional and flat, making it difficult for the audience to connect with any of them. The lead female romantic role is meek and uninspiring, the male lead romantic role isn't all that charismatic, making one wonder what she sees in him to begin with. Everything presented it just somewhat bland... which causes the movie to just coast along.

While most such movies present an emotional roller coaster and often have the viewers laughing and weeping multiple times throughout, I never felt really moved by any of this. I'm withholding specific instances to avoid spoilers... but this is somewhat like a nourishing meal, but without significant flavor. There's never really a climax to this film anywhere, at all. It basically starts out telling a story, continues to tell the story, and ends up telling the story without really accomplishing anything more. I didn't really feel much emotion in any of it.

For those who loved the film, I'm glad they did. This will appeal to some viewers. But although I usually very much like this genre, Ditto left me unimpressed. It's been done before, and better. At the end I found myself wondering, "Why the name Ditto? What does that mean in the context of the movie?" And that summed it up there: what was the writer / director trying to get across? It didn't feel real, didn't bring the story home, didn't tug the heart strings. It wound up a 2-hour-long bland meal without dessert.

"Ditto" is a 2001 South Korean romantic drama film that follows the story of two college students, So-eun and In, who discover they are able to communicate through a ham radio across time. Despite their initial disbelief, they soon form a deep connection as they learn about each other's lives and struggles.

The film is a unique take on the classic romance genre, exploring the idea of time travel in a creative and engaging way. The performances by the lead actors, Kim Ha-neul and Yoo Ji-tae, are compelling and authentic, bringing emotional depth to their characters and their relationship.

The cinematography is also impressive, with beautiful shots of both the modern and historical parts of Seoul, showcasing the city's rich culture and history.

One of the strengths of the film is its ability to balance humor and heartbreak, creating a captivating and emotional journey for the audience. The plot twists and turns are unexpected and keep the audience engaged until the very end.

Overall, "Ditto" is a touching and memorable film that showcases the power of connection and the importance of cherishing the present moment. It is a must-watch for fans of romantic dramas and science fiction alike.