My Sassy Girl (2001)

My Sassy Girl (2001) is a Korean romantic comedy-drama based on a string of true-life online anecdotes that became a bestselling book. The film follows Kyun-woo, a gentle, slightly awkward college student who one day rescues a drunken, unpredictable young woman from standing too close to a subway track. When other passengers assume she’s his girlfriend, Kyun-woo feels compelled to help her — a decision that drags him into an increasingly chaotic, often humiliating and hilarious series of encounters. What you’ll experience: broad physical comedy and cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud moments as the Girl constantly teases, berates, and manipulates Kyun-woo, testing his patience and sense of duty. Beneath the comedy, the movie gradually unfolds a tender, more serious emotional core; the relationship evolves into something bittersweet, revealing why Kyun-woo stays and how both characters change. The film balances slapstick humor, romantic sweetness, and genuine pathos, so viewers move between laughter, frustration, and heartfelt sympathy. Tone and highlights: expect quirky, memorable scenes (train incidents, outrageous dares, and impulsive pranks) alongside quieter, more intimate moments that give the characters depth. The chemistry between the leads makes the push-and-pull dynamic engaging, and the story’s blend of humor and sorrow gives the film an emotional payoff that stays with many viewers after the credits roll. If you like romantic comedies with an offbeat heroine and an emotional, character-driven center, this movie delivers.

Actors: Tae-Hyun Cha, Jun Ji-hyun, In-mun Kim

Director: Jae-young Kwak

Runtime: 137 min

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

7.0 /10 8.0 /10 7.5 /10