[K-Movie Review] Sunny (2011)

 

“Sunny” (써니) is a 2011 South Korean film that is produced by Ahn Byeong-ki and directed/written by Kang Hyeong-cheol. Following the memories of Im Na Mi, the film jumps between the 1980s and present day 2011 as Im Na Mi seeks out her best friends from her high school days for a last reunion before Ha Choon Hwa has to leave Earth due to her illness (cancer). The film depicts the lives of average normal high school girls while paralleling them with their adult selves, illuminating the struggles of the girls while they were young and those of when they are older. While some ended up successful and others ended up enduring hardships, the film brings out the long-lasting friendship between the girls. In high school, Ha Choon Hwa was the leader of the group of seven girls called Sunny. They stuck together and fought through thick and thin. However, the end of high school made them part ways. With Ha Choon Hwa getting closer and closer to her deathbed, she requests Im Na Mi to gather all the girls again for one last reunion. Even though more than two decades have passed, the memories which were long pushed aside and buried are once again revived as each of the members return for Ha Choon Hwa’s funeral.

“Sunny” is a film that will touch its viewers’ heart. Through the laughter from of references to popular culture and historical context and the tears from the sentimental recollection of the precious memories of the seven girls, the audience follows the lives of the members of Sunny from adolescent to adulthood as they disconnect and reconnect. Im Na Mi’s words to Ha Choon Hwa while the former was visiting the latter in the hospital still resonate inside my mind. You are your life’s protagonist. Im Na Mi had lost herself in her family, as she lives to care for her husband and daughter only. However, her coincidental reunion with Ha Choon Hwa sparks the life in her, to find her meaning in life, to find her friends and reconnect with the past. The members of Sunny who are suffering hardships in the present are able to find a pillar of support among the rest of the members of Sunny. Ha Choon Hwa is really an eternal leader – the leader of the past and present, bringing the girls together once again. This film struck a realization in my mind, the realization that the close bond of friendship lasts through time. The friendship that the members of Sunny have is timeless. Once friends, forever friends.

“Sunny” is a must watch film. It is definitely worthy of being number 12 on the Korean all-time box office records, selling over 7 million admission tickets. Get ready to laugh and cry at the same time!