Architecture 101

Architecture 101 is a 2012 South Korean romance film that was directed by Lee Yong-ju and starred Tae-woong Eom, Ga-in Han, and Lee Jehoon. The movie artfully blends elements of drama and romance, creating a nostalgic tale of love, growth, and the complexities of life. Architecture 101 became a box-office hit upon its release, earning praise for its strong performances and charismatic chemistry between the leads.

The film follows Seung-min (played by Tae-woong Eom), a successful architect who lives a controlled and well-ordered life. One day, by chance, he runs into Seo-yeon (Ga-in Han), a woman from his past. She was his first love when they were both architecture students in college. Seo-yeon asks Seung-min to design a house for her on a picturesque plot of land she’s purchased on Jeju Island. As memories of their youthful love are rekindled, they both are forced to confront the paths they've chosen and the dreams they've left behind.

Acting as Seo-yeon's young self is Bae Suzy, a pop singer who, in her first acting role, effectively portrays the charm, innocence, and emotional depth intrinsic to the character. Lee Jehoon steps in as the younger Seung-min, showcasing a reined-in performance befitting his character's introverted personality. He morphs from an unsure student to a confident budding architect, exhibiting a deeply sympathetic character struggling with love and ambition.

The movie is set in two time periods — the present, where Seung-min is an experienced architect, and the past, where a youthful romance blooms between him and Seo-yeon. The film seamlessly transitions between these eras, revealing the maturation of both characters and their changing lives. This disparity between past and present provides the film with its most poignant scenes and effectively captures the bitter-sweet nostalgia of first love in the face of reality.

"Architecture 101" also utilizes its architectural setting to interesting effect. The architecture serves not just as a background for the romantic narrative but as a metaphoric mirror of life and relationships. Designing and building a house serves as an elaborate metaphor for love and life—complete with design decisions, unexpected complications, compromises, and heartbreaks. The architecture scenes further present a beautiful depiction of the art form, complete with intricate blueprints, deliberate construction, and thoughtful designing.

The camerawork and cinematography further enhance the architecture theme and gets beautifully accomplished with shots of picturesque landscapes and well-designed interiors. The movie's cinematography brings out the beauty of architecture, the allure of nature, and the charm of Seoul and Jeju Island as never seen before.

Another stellar feature of the movie is its soundtrack, an emotion-stirring ensemble that effectively captures the essence of each scene. This background score is judiciously used to set the mood of the two different eras in which the film takes place.

"Architecture 101" explores themes such as love, destiny, vulnerability, heartbreak, maturation, and rediscovery. It's a story about first love and how it forever shapes and guides our future relationships. It poignantly explores the innocence of first love and draws a stark parallel with life's realities, leaving the audience to ponder the complexities of life and love.

While the movie primarily revolves around the subjects of love and longing, it also subtly portrays the struggles of achieving your dreams and ambition amidst life's harsh circumstances. It successfully explores the struggles in the journey of growth and autonomy of the characters.

In conclusion, Architecture 101 is a heartfelt and beautiful exploration of young love and the path it carves for us as we grow older. Constructed with a strong narrative, stunning visuals, exceptional performances, and an emotive soundtrack, it's a cinematic piece that captivates its viewers. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a romance movie fan, or simply someone who loves heartfelt narratives, Architecture 101 has something for everyone. Its universal themes and the genuine portrayal of life's different stages makes it a must-watch.