Grass (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Grass is a 2019 drama directed by Sang-soo Hong, starring Min-hee Kim, Sae-byeok Kim and Jin-yeong Jeong. It runs 1 hour 6 minutes and earned $53,503 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 6m (66 min)
- Director
- Sang-soo Hong
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Korean
- Studio
- Cinema Guild
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Grass About?
The premise of Grass without spoilers.
Writer Areum finds inspiration in a quiet café, meticulously documenting the lives of those around her. She observes a young couple embroiled in conflict, an elderly man lost in wistful memories, and a filmmaker consumed by his own artistic vision. These intimate moments intertwine with the natural growth of plants visible outside, creating a contemplative atmosphere that blurs the boundaries between observation and imagination as Areum works on her writing.
Grass Cast & Characters
Min-hee Kim leads the cast, with Sae-byeok Kim as Ji-yeong and Jin-yeong Jeong. Directed by Sang-soo Hong; 5 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Sang-soo Hong
-
Min-hee Kim - Sae-byeok Kim as Ji-yeong
- Jin-yeong Jeong
- Joobong Kee as Young man in café
Also Starring in Grass
· 1 moreMore from Sang-soo Hong
More films directed by Sang-soo Hong, best-rated first: Right Now, Wrong Then, Claire's Camera, The Day He Arrives and Yourself and Yours.
Grass Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Grass 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).
Grass Echo Score Breakdown
Grass presents a disciplined approach to minimalist storytelling that some find engaging but others consider underdeveloped. Consistently praised for its deliberate direction and refined atmospheric craft, the film’s concise form elicits admiration for its visual precision. However, commentary on character development and narrative depth is divided, with critiques pointing to emotional and story slackness. The sensory cohesion and moments of humor offer warmth, though the brief duration constrains thematic exploration. On balance, Grass delivers stylistic insight tempered by narrative limitations.
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 & Craft, Grass excels in its deliberate visual composition and refined editing choices. Critics commend the sharp framing, intimate black-and-white palette, and purposeful pacing that accentuate its atmospheric modulation. Even commentary noting minimal plot acknowledges the film’s lucid cinematography and concise structure. Overall, the craft conveys a precise, unimposing aesthetic.
- Character & Emotion 60
When it comes to Character & Emotion, responses are divided over depth and resonance. Praise highlights layered performances, particularly the nuanced portrayal of Areum and moments of human warmth. Yet several observations point to limited character arcs and sparse backstory, which reduce emotional engagement. Consequently, character dynamics offer intermittent insight without sustained development.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of Story & Flow, assessments range from appreciation of poetic simplicity to critiques of narrative slackness. Some emphasize its gentle pacing and thematic coherence, noting how moments accumulate into a cohesive mood. Conversely, critiques highlight thin plotting, lack of tension, and underexplored motivations. Overall, the story offers a modest, contemplative arc with uneven momentum.
- Sensory Experience 75
In terms of Sensory Experience, the film’s sound design and score contribute to its meditative atmosphere. Reviewers note the minimalist audio approach and cohesive soundscapes that complement the understated visuals. The restrained use of soundtrack underscores thematic moments without overwhelming them. As a result, the sensory palette feels deliberate and harmonized with the film’s tone.
- Rewatch Factor 50
When evaluating Rewatch Factor, responses acknowledge the film’s hypnotic simplicity but note its brevity and narrative minimalism limit replay appeal. Some appreciate the subtle shifts on subsequent viewings, uncovering tonal nuances and character gestures. Others find the sparse plot reduces motivation for repeat engagement after the first viewing. Overall, rewatch value is moderate but uneven.
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Rotten Tomatoes 92% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 65%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 7.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 20% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
42 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Grass Box Office
Grass grossed $53,503 worldwide. $8,084 came from the US and Canada and $45,419 (85%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$53.5K
- US & Canada
- $8.1K
- International
- $45.4K
Grass Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Pul-lip-deul” and “草葉咖啡館”.
- Also known as
-
- Pul-lip-deul
- 草葉咖啡館
- 풀잎들
- 草叶集
- 草葉集
- 草の葉
- Травы
Seen Grass?
Grass FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Grass, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Grass?
Grass runs 1 hour 6 minutes (66 minutes).
When was Grass released?
Grass was released on April 19, 2019.
Who directed Grass?
Grass was directed by Sang-soo Hong.
More films by Sang-soo Hong Who is in the cast of Grass?
Grass stars Min-hee Kim, Sae-byeok Kim as Ji-yeong and Jin-yeong Jeong, among 5 credited actors.
How much did Grass make at the box office?
Grass grossed $53,503 worldwide ($8,084 domestic, $45,419 international).
How is Grass rated?
Grass has 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic, 20% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Grass have a post-credit scene?
No. Grass has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Grass in?
The original language of Grass is Korean.
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