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What's After the Movie?
Romantic drama

20th Century Girl (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

20th Century Girl (2022) movie poster

20th Century Girl is a 2022 romantic drama starring Kim You-jung as Na Bo-ra, Han Hyo-joo and Roh Yoon-seo. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes. Its Echo Score is 75/100.

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20th Century Girl (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
Korean
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 20th Century Girl About?

The premise of 20th Century Girl without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Set in 1999, the film follows a teenage girl who watches a classmate closely for her best friend, who is secretly infatuated with him. As she monitors his every move, she unexpectedly finds herself falling for the same boy, prompting a tender first‑love romance that challenges her loyalty and forces her to confront her own feelings.

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Cast & crew

20th Century Girl Cast & Characters

Kim You-jung leads the cast as Na Bo-ra, with Han Hyo-joo as Adult Na Bo-ra and Roh Yoon-seo as Kim Yeon-du.

Also Starring in 20th Century Girl

· 19 more
Show all 23 cast members
Ratings

20th Century Girl Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

75 /100

20th Century Girl Echo Score Breakdown

The film elicits a largely favorable response, with particular praise for its visual styling and emotive moments, while criticisms focus on narrative consistency and character development. Reviewers commend the nostalgic cinematography and heartfelt performances, yet note uneven plot logic and occasional forced dialogue. Consequently, the movie is regarded as an enjoyable coming‑of‑age piece that resonates with many viewers despite its structural flaws.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual presentation receives consistent commendation. Critics highlight the use of green‑yellow palettes and nostalgic camera work, and users describe the graphics as giving a nostalgic edge. No significant criticism of cinematography or editing appears, leading to a perception of solid production values that enhance the story’s atmosphere.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating character and emotion, reviewers note both strengths and weaknesses. Positive remarks emphasize genuine friendship, nuanced performances, and moments that tug at heartstrings, while negative comments criticize forced chemistry and an unconvincing protagonist arc. The mixed feedback suggests competent acting overall but uneven character depth, resulting in a moderate appraisal of this aspect.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In the domain of story and flow, the narrative is praised for its brisk pacing and relatable coming‑of‑age themes, yet it is also described as relying on clichéd tropes and occasional plot inconsistencies. Critics and some users commend the emotional core, while others highlight confusing revelations and lazy writing, yielding a mixed but generally favorable view of the plot.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The sensory experience receives largely positive notes, especially regarding visual style. Reviewers mention the film’s gentle color scheme, nostalgic cinematography, and cohesive aesthetic that supports the emotional tone. Although soundtrack and sound design are not extensively discussed, the strong visual impression contributes to an overall sensory approval.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Rewatch factor is viewed positively by most audience members, who describe the movie as emotionally resonant and worth revisiting for its heartfelt moments. While a minority cite formulaic elements that may diminish repeat appeal, the overall sentiment suggests lasting charm that encourages additional viewings.

Plot

20th Century Girl Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in 20th Century Girl from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Na Bo-ra, a cheerful and lively seventeen-year-old high school student, finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected relationships in What’s After the Movie set in 1999. Her close friend, Roh Yoon-seo, plays Yeon-du, who is preparing to leave Korea for the United States to undergo heart surgery. Before her departure, Yeon-du confides in Bo-ra about her crush on a boy from their school, whom she believes is named Baek Hyun-jin. Eager to help her friend, Bo-ra promises to find out everything she can about this boy and promises to stay in touch by emailing her updates. Feeling reassured, Yeon-du leaves for her medical trip, leaving Bo-ra alone with her own feelings and curiosity.

Full summary

The whole story of 20th Century Girl, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

20th Century Girl Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 4 clips.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser
  • Clip Byeon Woo-seok ruins Kim You-jung’s undercover mission
  • Clip Kim You-jung saves Byeon Woo-seok and Park Jung-woo from bullies
  • Clip Byeon Woo-seok pulls Kim You-jung close to save her from trouble
Quiz

How Well Do You Know 20th Century Girl?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main protagonist of the movie?

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FAQ

20th Century Girl FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, cast, post-credit scenes and language of 20th Century Girl, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 20th Century Girl?

20th Century Girl runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was 20th Century Girl released?

20th Century Girl was released on October 6, 2022.

Who is in the cast of 20th Century Girl?

20th Century Girl stars Kim You-jung as Na Bo-ra, Han Hyo-joo as Adult Na Bo-ra and Roh Yoon-seo as Kim Yeon-du, among 23 credited actors.

Does 20th Century Girl have a post-credit scene?

No. 20th Century Girl has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is 20th Century Girl in?

The original language of 20th Century Girl is Korean.

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