Architecture 101 (Korean Movie)

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Movie: Architecture 101 (English title) / Introduction of Architecture (literal title)
Revised romanization: Geonchukhakgaeron
Hangul: 건축학개론
Director: Lee Yong-Joo
Writer: Lee Yong-Joo, Kim Ji-Hye, Min So-Yeon
Producer: Kim Kyun-Hee
Cinematographer: Jo Sang-Yoon
Release Date: March 22, 2012
Runtime: 118 min.
Genre: Romance / Period-1990 / Past & Present / Award Winning
Production Company: Myung Films
Distributor: Lotte Entertainment
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

35-year-old architect Seung-Min (Uhm Tae-Woong) receives a visit at his office from a woman. Seung-Min doesn't recognize the woman at first, but then realizes the woman is Seo-Yeon (Han Ga-In). Seo-Yeon is his first love, but he hasn't seen her since his freshman year in college. Seo-Yeon now has a request. She wants to hire Seung-Min to rebuild her home on Jeju Island.

15 years ago, Seung-Min (Lee Je-Hoon) is a naive young man beginning his architecture studies in college. He first meets Seo-Yeon (Bae Suzy) in his Architecture 101 class. As they work on a class project together, Seung-Min and Seo-Yeon begin to fall in love.

Back to the present day, Seung-Min is hesitant to take Seo-Yeon's job offer. Seo-Yeon persists and even goes to his boss with her wish. Seung-Min now has no choice, but to take on Seo-Yeon's home project. Old memories of love and heartbreak will soon resurface, as they find themselves at different junctions in their lives ...

Notes

Filming began October 25, 2011. The first scene filmed took place at a cafe located in Hannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea. Filming finished on January 8, 2012 and took 11 weeks to finish. Shooting locations took place in Seoul and Jeju Island.
Director Lee Yong-Ju majored in architecture in college and also has working experience as an architect.
"Architecture 101" opened #1 at the South Korean box office during its March 23-25 opening weekend. The movie sold 565,020 tickets on 592 screens and accounted for 34.2% of all tickets sold that weekend.
"Architecture 101" sold 4.1 million tickets in South Korea during its theatrical run.
A limited edition "Architecture 101" DVD is released on September 19, 2012 in South Korea. The limited edition set comprises of 2 DVD's with bonus material including commentary (by director Lee Yong-Ju, Uhm Tae-Woong, Lee Je-Hoon and Bae Suzy) a making of segment, interviews and trailer. In addition a 328 page book is included as well as postcards of the four main actors.
The house on Jeju Island that Seo-Yeon (Han Ga-In) hired Seung-Min (Uhm Tae-Woong) to rebuild was actually built specifically for the movie. After the movie, the owners planned to take down the temporary house and build a gallery and cafe named "Seo-Yeon's House". Due to the effects of Typhoon Bolaven in August, 2012, demolition of the house took place earlier than planned and was taken down September, 2012[1].
Cafe "Seo-Yeon's House" opened on March 27, 2013. The cafe, which is remodeled from the home featured in the movie "Architecture 101," is located at 2975 Wimi-ri 1, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island, South Korea. The cafe is open everyday from 10:30AM to 10:00PM. An opening ceremony was held on March 27, 2013 and actor Uhm Tae-Woong, actress Han Ga-In and director Lee Yong-Ju were in attendance.

Cast



Uhm Tae-Woong	Han Ga-In	Lee Je-Hoon	Bae Suzy
Seung-Min	Seo-Yeon	Seung-Min	Seo-Yeon



Cho Jung-Seok	Yoo Yeon-Seok
Nabddeuckyi	Jae-Wook

Additional Cast Members:

Kim Dong-Joo - Seung-Min's mother
Lee Seung-Ho - Seo-Yeon's father
Koh Joon-Hee - Eun-Chae
Park Soo-Young - Architect Koo
Cho Hyun-Chul - Dong-Goo
Kim Eui-Sung - Professor Kang (past)
Park Jin-Woo - Taxi driver (past)
Ji Eun - necktie store clerk
Shin Ye-Jin - Singsoongi
Lee Sun-Joo - Jeju neighbor

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

2012 (17th) Busan International Film Festival - October 4-13, 2012 - Korean Cinema Today - Panorama
2012 (32nd) Hawaii International Film Festival - October 11-21, 2012 - Spotlight on Korea *Hawaii Premiere
2012 (14th) Mumbai Film Festival - October 18-25, 2012 - Busan Selection
2012 (13th) San Diego Asian Film Festival - November 1 - 9, 2012 *Asia Pop! *West Coast Premiere
2013 (4th) Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 14-September 11, 2013 - Love is…

Awards

Best New Actress (Bae Suzy) - 2012 (48th) BaekSang Arts Awards - April 26, 2012
Best Music (Lee Ji-Soo) - 2012 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards - November 7, 2012
Best New Actor (Jo Jung-Suk) - 2012 (33rd) Blue Dragon Film Awards - November 30, 2012
Best New Actor (Jo Jung-Suk) - 2012 (4th) KOFRA Film Awards Ceremony - January 30, 2013

Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)

Q&A for "Architecture 101" took place over two different sessions at the 2012 Busan International Film Festival. The first session occurred on October 5, 2012 with director Lee Yong-Ju and actress Han Ga-In. The second session took place on October 8, 2012 with director Lee Yong-Ju. AsianWiki editor Ki Mun was there and transcribed/translated the session.

Session 1 (October 5, 2012)

Moderator: Architecture 101 spans two different time periods, with the 1990's being the past setting. That time frame became quite popular after the movie's release and we even call people from that time the "397 generation". How do you feel about starting this phenomenon?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): - As I mentioned in other interviews, I didn't expect the 1990's resurgence at all, because I wrote the original screenplay a long time ago. It just happened after the movie's release. I would like to thank the drama series "Answer Me 1997," which helped boost the retro trend. This trend seemed to help "Architecture 101" so I enjoyed it.

Moderator: I have a question for Han Ga-In. You gained the attractive title of "Actress of First Love" and I think this year is something of a golden time for yourself with the hit drama series "The Moon Embracing The Sun" and "Architecture 101."

Han Ga-In: You think so? I am happy to be loved by many people this year.

Moderator: I hope I can see you in more movies. Can you tell me what this movie means to you?

Han Ga-In: I talked with director Lee Yong-Ju yesterday at the opening ceremony about this. "Architecture 101" makes me want to appear in another good film very soon.

Audience Question: During the ending credits I noticed a listing for a stunt director. I can't think of any dangerous scenes in the film. I’m curious which scenes did the stunt director work on?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): You can see more of this if you buy and watch the DVD. The stunt director appears in the "making of" segment on the DVD. In the movie, the stunt director was used for the scene involving Seung-Min, played by Lee Je-Hoon, when he has a physical confrontation with the taxi driver. Audiences might think that scene doesn't appear dangerous at all, but on the shooting set even small things can cause injury. We needed the stunt director for that scene. Another scene, which I worried over whether we needed a stunt director, is when Seo-Yeon, played by Han Ga-In, gets drunk and falls down. I told Han Ga-In and she said "I will do it." She fell down so naturally. I worried a lot if she would get injured, because she did it many times. I would like to thank her for falling down so many times.

Audience Question: Two actresses portrayed one character and it turned out successfully, but, I think the actors and actresses had more difficulty with emotions?

Han Ga-In: What the younger versions of Seung-Min and Seo-Yeon had is my character's past, so their scenes are very important to me. I actually visited the filming set a lot when Lee Je-Hoon and Bae Suzy filmed their parts and did the things that the younger Seung-Min and Seo-Yeon characters did. I monitored their scenes a lot to keep a similar feeling.

Audience Question: I watched the director's commentary (on the DVD). In the commentary, you mention that you liked the scene involving the young Seo-Yeon, played by Bae Suzy, as she wound the old clock. I would like to know why that scene is special to you? And to Han Ga-In, what scene do you like the most?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): When I wrote the screenplay, I liked that part a lot. I didn't shoot this part, but the originally screenplay has a scene where young Seo-Yeon winds the clock in the empty house by herself and leaves the house. I think the scene with Seo-Yeon winding the click represents the past. We filmed that scene from a side view. When young Seung-Min draws on the map, we shot that scene from the side view as well. I wanted to show these two scenes as being connected. Also, I shot that scene with great effort.

Han Ga-In: My favorite scene is when my character's father asks who Seung-Min is, when he is looking through the photos on the cellphone. I felt real melancholy when filming that scene. At the time, I was completely immersed in my character's emotions. Another scene that I really like is when my character opens the sliding door in the house on Jeju Island. Because, Seung-Min built the house for Seo-Yeon, the house means a lot for Seo-Yeon. I still have the image of Seo-Yeon opening the sliding door in my mind.

Audience Question: This question is for Han Ga-In. When you read the script, what scene did you like the most? To the director, there is a line about guys who major in architecture being cool. I would like to know if you believe that and is that why you wrote it into the movie? Also, I would like to know if your next movie will be about architecture? I think because of the success this film had, your next movie will come out sooner than the time period between your first movie "Possessed" and "Architecture 101"?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): What "Architecture 101" means to me is to let architecture go. Architecture is like Seo-Yeon to me. That's why I originally prepared this movie as my first film. I won't make another movie about architecture, because I have my identity as a film director and not an architect. I don't know when I will make my next film. It takes at least 2 or 3 years to make a movie. Writing the script, changing the script and filming the movie. About architects being cool, I don't think so, but as a freshman, majoring in architecture, women, especially the young and pure girls, seemed to think that way. Girls from the dance major classes wanted to go on a group blind date with the architect majors, but the female class president of our major shot it down. I don't think architects are particularly "cool". Architects don't make a lot of money. When I made this film, I tried to depict architects in a realistic way. That's why the first scene is of Uhm Tae-Woong waking up in his office. I didn't want to depict a fantasy world, like other films or dramas, where all the architects are rich and always have time to meet women. That's important to me, because I was an architect.

Han Ga-In: I liked the screenplay from the beginning. What attracted me to me it is the feelings I felt from reading it. I'm really satisfied with how it came out. My favorite scene when reading the script is when Seo-Yeon eats the sea mustard soup and says she will take care of her father. On the filming set for that scene, I was shaken emotionally. I think people around my age will think about their parents a lot.

Audience Question: To Han Ga-In. You have a pure image, but in the movie you curse a lot. I have read that you are pretty easy going. I'm curious what the reaction was from your family and husband? To the director. I saw a picture of Han Ga-In sitting by the window, but you didn't put the scene in the film or commentary. Why did you edit that out?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): I thought about it a lot, whether to put that scene in the movie or not, because it's an important scene for Seo-Yeon. I feel apologetic to Han Ga-In for not including it.

Han Ga-In: In the movie, the "bitch" ("ssangyeon") is my character. There are several scenes when Seo-Yeon uses profanity. In reality, my personality is very easy going and not that different from men. My family knows well about my real personality and they are kind of worried my true personality might be revealed on TV. I think people know only about 10-20% of my real personality and they will learn more slowly. If they knew more, I think I will have more fun when I work.

Audience Question: The ending felt similar to watching the TV program "Love and War." Why did you set the relationship between Seung-Min and Eun-Chae the way you did?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): I worried about that part. I did think it might be too typical and I thought for a while about a different setup, but that would push the story further from reality. Also, I feel sorry for Koh Joon-Hee who played Eun-Chae. A lot of her scenes were edited out of the film. At first, I had the setup wrong. The scenes of her that were edited out were unnecessary. I accepted it for what it was.

Audience Question: I hope you make more romance films in the future.

Lee Yong-Ju (director): I will not make any more love stories.

Moderator: Then, what genres are you thinking about for your next movie?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): I'm thinking of a totally different genre for my next film. I don't know, maybe I will make a romance film again, but I think I'm too old to think about love. I'm at the age where I think more about health than love. I'm still thinking.

Session 2 (October 8, 2012)

Lee Yong-Ju (director): Architecture 101 was released on March 22, 2012. This is my last GV at the Busan International Film Festival. I'm sorry the actors could not appear here today. I first began to write the scenario for "Architecture 101" in 2003. Personally, I think this is the moment that I will let the movie "Architecture 101" go. After this GV, I will focus on my next movie. I feel like I'm letting my first love go. Thank you for attending.

Moderator: This movie is about a couple who grew up in the mid 1990's. When you first planned this film, the 1990's weren't popular. Why did you set the film in the 1990's?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): I began writing the scenario for "Architecture 101" in 2003, thinking this would become my first film. At that time, I was 34-years-old. The reason I decided to write the script is that I wanted to arrange my 20's. I just began working in the film field. My identity was more with architects rather than filmmakers. I felt like a stranger working in the movie industry. I also wanted to let architecture go, which was my first love, so I wrote this script. The original script looked back 10 years prior, but, as the movie's filming was pushed continuously back, we changed the time setting from the early 1990's to 1996 or 1998. I hoped the time setting wouldn't reach 2000. In the original script the time difference between past and present was just 10 years, but by the time we finished the movie the time difference was 15 years.

Audience Question: I love "love stories" in movies. Along with "You Are My Sunshine," "Architecture 101" is my favorite movie. I would like to know which scenes were most important to you when you shot the film?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): Until the movie was completed, I went through a lot in a 10 year period. There are several scenes that made me keep going while I wrote the script. The scene where Seung-Min glances at Seo-Yeon on the bus. I really enjoyed shooting that scene, but I don't think it turned out as great. Another scene is when Seo-Yeon waits for Seung-Min in the abandoned house while it is snowing. As I wrote that scene, I cried. Those scenes made me complete the film. I can't watch my movie, because I blame myself for things like "why did I shoot it like that?" I did try my best.

Audience Question: I would like to know if you had only one ending or if you had alternate versions?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): A lot of film producers turned my script down for 10 years. They made a lot demands about the script. They said the ending was too plain. One ending scene had Seung-Min, in the present day, going to Seo-Yeon in the present day. I told the film producers to make a choice. I like the ending which is found in this movie. Fortunately, Myung Films, who produced the film, said the ending is just right. The alternate ending with Seung-Min going to Seo-Yeon, in the present day, is too much like the TV program "Troubled Marriage Couple Clinic - Love and War." I realized that having the right work partner is very important. "Architecture 101" suits the taste of Myung Films and President Shim Jae-Myung. They have similar tastes to myself. There were many versions of the original scenario. One version even had the present day Seo-Yeon as a member of a pop group and that version had dance scenes for the present day Seo-Yeon. As I talked with Myung Films, we were able to go back to the original version.

Moderator: After I watched the movie, I felt the movie focused more on the male character as it described his past?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): That is natural. I'm a man. I gave the DVD to director Bong Joon-Ho. Recently, I met director Bong Joon-Ho again. He just came back to Korea from the Czech Republic after filming "Snow Piercer". He told me "good job" and that he thought the film was about a man's yearning to hear "I liked you too." That was my concept.

Moderator: I think the movie didn't describe the female character's emotions in the present day as much?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): I didn't think about it that much. I edited out a lot of the scenes with the present day Seo-Yeon. This was my error, because I shot it wrong and we had too much material. The motivation for the film is the past and not so much the present day. Throughout the 10 years of having rewrites for the script, the past stayed pretty much constant, while the present day scenes changed a lot. I'll admit that is because of my limitations as a man. It's difficult for me to understand women. I regret that part.

Audience Question: I think the movie is mourning the first love by a man who is about to get married?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): I don't agree. Depending on the viewer, the movie has many different points of view. The movie is a love story about a first love, of course. But, I think the movie to me is a self-examination more so than a love story. A self-examination by a man who was a coward and immature. To me, the movie is more like an apology letter. The present day scenes are more important as a role in the apology. I didn't care as much about the present day male character. What I focused on when shooting the present day scenes, is the emotional level of the main characters when they looked back on their past. I thought about that a lot.

Audience Question: I really enjoyed your film. One thing that bugged me is that actor Lee Je-Hoon wore makeup & lipstick in his flashback scenes. I know men in the present day wear makeup, but I don't think guys in the 1990's did? Everything else seemed on the money with the flashback scenes. Did you guys consult on the makeup? Also, can you describe the casting process on how you picked Uhm Tae-Woong to Lee Je-Hoon and Han Ga-In to Bae Suzy?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): Lee Je-Hoon did not wear makeup. He just had foundation on his face for tone adjustment. I cared about that, especially lipstick. The men didn't wear makeup on their faces at all. For the women, we planned how their makeup would appear. For Bae Suzy, she didn't wear makeup in the beginning. During the middle portion, she wore light makeup and the final scenes with her she wore excessive makeup. For Han Ga-In, at first she wore excessive makeup and in the middle portions she wore light makeup and for her final scenes she didn't wear any makeup. I planned this carefully. Maybe, Lee Je-Hoon wore lip gloss when his lips got dry, but I didn't think that was a problem. About the casting process. In the case of Lee Je-Hoon and Bae Suzy, they said OK. I gave them the script first. For the present day Seo-Yeon character, several actresses turned down the role before Han Ga-In accepted. I thought carefully about who to cast for the present day Seo-Yeon character, based on who were available. Before Han Ga-In took the role, she hadn't acted in a movie for a long time. After she finished "Architecture 101," she performed in the drama series "The Moon Embracing The Sun," which became a huge hit. I think the movie benefitted from the success of "The Moon Embracing The Sun."

Audience Question: I like the scenes with Nabddeuckyi played by Jo Jung-Suk. How did you come up with the Nabddeuckyi character?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): That is me. I am like Nabddeuckyi. Now am I trying to look decent, but in private meetings I am like the timid Nabddeuckyi. President Sim Jae-Myung of Myung Films told me that my personality is a mixture of Seung-Min and Nabddeuckyi. When I wrote Nabddeuckyi's lines, I wrote it like I talk. I enjoyed it, but I worried if people would like Nabddeuckyi.

Audience Question: What is your plans for your next movie?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): Life doesn't go necessarily as one wishes, but I don't want to make my next film like I did with "Architecture 101". I projected myself on "Architecture 101". Especially things like Seung-Min's mother, the old house, the old town and the first love experience. Because of these things, I consider this movie as my debut film. My actual debut film is "Possessed," but I didn't make "Possessed" like I did with "Architecture 101". For my next film, I want to work more objectively and not from personal experience. There's some talk about making a love story again or "Architecture 101 part 2," but I don't intend to do that. I want to make a movie with a different style.

Audience Question: I like the song "Study of Memory" ("Giyeokui Seubjak") used in the movie. It seemed to make the movie even more emotional?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): The song was a strategic choice. At first, the background was set in the early 1990's and I couldn't use that song which came out in 1994. But, as the filming was delayed and delayed, the movie's background moved past 1994. I did think a lot over which song to use. After the movie's release, I realized we picked the right song. We did have a criteria for picking the song. The first was whether people in their 20's knew the song (they shouldn't know the song), the second is whether they remembered the song after hearing it and finally whether the song had a climax. "Study of Memory" fit those requirements.

Audience Question: The house that Seung-Min rebuilt, he left in tact personal things like footprints and the measurements scrawled on the brick wall. What does that mean? Does Seung-Min want Seo-Yeon to start a new love?

Lee Yong-Ju (director): I thought that was a consideration. When architects build a home, they should know the owner of the home. In order to build a home which suits the owner, architects needs to communicate with the owner a lot and know each other. Building a home is a loving process. Seung-Min thinks Seo-Yeon needs that and she actually needs that. I think Seo-Yeon is satisfied, even though she didn't say so with words. I think those things are from someone that knows the home owner very well. The last footprint was very important to me. After Seo-Yeon sees the footprint, she asks if he did that for her. I think building a home is like an extension. The process of extension is very important. Among 20 reviews for "Architecture 101," the one I like the most is written by Kim Hye-Ri for Cine21. According to her review, love and life are difficult to build anew. While holding on to the past, we just extend. I think what she wrote is just right. That is the reason why I wrote "Architecture 101" and that's the theme of the movie. I would like to express that visually with the house. So leaving a footprint, scribbles and marks are important meanings to me.

Comments

Falonee Mar 27 2022 6:35 am I watched this 2nd time this year because I grew fond of Lee Je-hoon after Taxi Driver. First time watching was 5 years ago but totally overlooked him as I was busy focusing on Suzy and Jo Jung-seok lol. I love the realistic ending, somehow it gave me the idea that maybe in few years they will meet again after Seung-min's marriage fail and Seo-yeon's father passed away. Who knows. The only thing I dislike is while SM described SY as a b****, SY has every right to call SM a coward jerk given how he broke ties with her but she's too nice to him I geuss (lol typo intended)

Drina Mar 12 2022 11:05 am I love the movie a lot than i expected... The main reason because the ending, lol .. it is so realistic, but they finally know for sure their feelings toward each other at the end (they kissed good).. and they are their own first love for each other... It is something big, dont you agree? Lead male protagonist will keeps thinking about his first love, the lead female.. and will abandon his wedding or marriage, sooner or later.. lol! Thats wat i believe tho..

I really admire Jo Jung Seok here, he is totally funny, oh man! His acting always seems so real for me, hands up...

Restiana Mayasari Feb 26 2022 10:48 pm I love this movie, really touching. Even the ending their can't be together but it best for both.

I like Han Ga In and Uhm Tae woong acting, feel like natural. Love u

Heri Jul 05 2021 7:07 pm 2014 I watched "You are the Apple of My Eye" and that movie broke my heart for a long time.

and now 2021 I watch "Architecture 101" this movie really hurt my heart, my heart started to hurt when Lee Je Hoon cried after seeing Bae Suzy and Yoo Yoon Seok together. and I started to cry when Umh Tae Woong was confused what to do and ended up crying. After the film finished, it made me even more sad and cried when I remembered the scene where Lee Je Hoon smiled seeing Bae Suzy babbling about what she wants in the future. this film replaced "You are the Apple of My Eye" into the most heartbreaking film of all time for me.

I saw a lot of comments wondering why Le Je Hoon didn't approach Yoo Yoon Seok and Bae Suzy who were drunk. but here I understand why he didn't do it, the reason was because Le Je Hoon knew that Bae Suzy liked Yoo Yoon Seok, and when he saw that he couldn't do anything because he thought they did it out of love, and that's why he left with heartache because he didn't want to interfere.

Rokstar Nov 17 2020 10:19 am Hopefully director lee yong ju knows that his script nabddeuckyi act by jong suk was 100% copied in the drama "start-up" (2020) and act by suzy. I call that part is "kiss explaination" which is so funny haha

Kiki Nov 03 2020 5:25 am This movie is really good. I just rewatched it recently. Idk why but I want Suzy and Lee Je Hoon to do another project together.

Indra Jul 05 2020 9:47 am Oh mannn.. The ending.....

kris Jan 28 2020 9:48 pm Something none of the comments I've read so far mention is whether Seung-Min had a responsibility to try to prevent what might happen to Seo-Yeon when Jae-Wook took an obviously almost comatose girl into her home. Seo-Yeon had clearly shown (twice) that she did not want his advances (although the film shows Seung-Min having ducked behind the corner when that happened). Did no one else see this as possible date rape? I understand his youth and naivete, but was there no way he could've walked up to them, pretending he'd just arrived or something?

Mosabu Sep 26 2019 5:19 pm The ending could have been better

Tibong Sep 28 2018 10:44 am I'm quite late watching this movie, but its so damn good. That feelling when we watch it really catch my heart.

I like the ending cause its more realistic to end like that.

felldowntherabbithole Oct 19 2017 6:51 pm @Rosel -- This movie came out first, so basically, Starting All Over Again, is the copycat version.

Name Jun 06 2017 1:19 am what is the instrumental music used in the trailer?? :(

putra Jul 24 2016 12:06 pm Uhm Tae woong giving us the quality,, great actor indeed..

Rosel Jun 20 2016 12:02 am It is like "starting all over again." A failed love story and a new beginning. The woman may not have the best ending but who knows?

Asian Guy Feb 08 2016 1:32 pm I just watched it last night. For westerners they won't like this movie because Seung-Min (the young man) doesn't know how or slow to approach the girls they like. This movie is based on being innocent and reminiscing the love they had in the past. And guys and gals are not as aggressive compared today. It is easy to criticize the guy for not doing anything especially when he saw his guy friend and Seo-Yeon went inside the house. But he is naive, and don't know how to approach/act in certain situations when it comes to love. I can relate to this especially if the guy is quite, good boy and don't have much experience when it comes to relationship. But that is the beauty of having your first love, it will never be the same excitement and feeling you had for your next love/relationship even if you want to have that feeling again.

But here is my problem with the movie.

1. Why Seung-Min did not call Seo-Yeon back. Did he left his pager at home? He should have let her know that he will pass to her house that day. I know he want to surprise her.

2. Did something happened between Seo-Yeon and Oppa (Guy) that night? I don't know yet ... but it seems like she was okay, but kinda worried or guilty when she saw the mini cardboard house in the trash can. What did the director said? Any info?

3. Seung-Min need to confront Seo-Yeon and asked her what happened last night. His angry but he still need to tell his feeling and confess his love to her.

4. Seo-Yeon should have eat her pride and asked him why he was angry at her. That's how girls/guys are when you are in highschool or college. But when you hit 30's you will realize all the bad decisions you did or did not do when you were young.

In closing. Seung-Min was still hurt because he thought he got cheated by the girl he loves, yes that's is how guys (w/o experience) think even though there is no official word that both of you are in a relationship. He was angry at her for many many years until he found the girl (co-worker) that he wants to marry and forgot all about his first love because of his demanding job. Now, when he saw Seo-Yeon again, his hesitant to help her because maybe (in my opinion)

1. it will just bring back the memory of his first love 2. the feeling of getting cheated 3. he already moved on and don't want to bring back the past.

The answer will be one of those or all of the above.

But after spending months with her, he realize that he still loves her ... but hesistant to admit it and want to focus and finishing the project until he saw the mini card board house again in her home. That is when he had the guts to asked her why him, why did she choose him to built her house. But in the end, he choose to be with her fiancée because he doesn't want to hurt her and that is the right thing to do. But does it make him happy in choosing her fiancee ... maybe yes ... it is just that he realize the he still have feelings with for Seo-Yeon after all this years.

My interpretation about Seo-Yeon receiving the CD album and CD Player. Seung-Min want her to know that he loves her after all these years but he need to move on. He will cherished the love he had for Seo-Yeon but he needs to be a man and stick to his original decision to be with his fiancée and live in the U.S. It was too late already, Seo-Yeon was late in coming back to his life.

Umi Jan 10 2016 5:18 am The most beautiful love is the unfinished one...

This movie once again reminds me of this heartbreaking truth. The fact that they meet again and remember little details from the past is subtly portrayed that touches my heart. I don't wish for them to get back together, because let's face it: their lives have moved on. I think Seung Min has got over her, which is clear every once in a while when he's impatient to hear her reminiscing or expressing her likes or dislikes. In the past, he always listened so patiently and silently, taking in everything that (Suzy) had to say.

The kiss near the end I guess is just an amicable gesture, to give their unborn love story a kiss they never had but deserved, and to give their current selves a final closure. The ending was real and beautiful, leaving a lot of "what-if" kind of feelings in viewers, at least to me :-)

Angela Sep 01 2015 7:05 am This is SO SWEET..but im so sad that it ended like that i wanted to see if they see each other again or something!! I have to say this is my new favourite korean romance movie! but seriously was the movies too short or is it just me? I NEED MORE!!! <3

red Jun 29 2014 9:19 am This is one of my fav movies. The story and the soundtrack are beautiful and so does the ending. Besides, I would prefer the ending like that. It really shows the reality.

Kinggofing Mar 13 2014 10:52 am The ending is a big distorted blackhole, i liked the the start and middle of the movie but the scene at the end right before he sent the package, where he and his wife was on the airplane, destroyed the whole movie, i wished they didn't include that scene so that the audience would think/imagine better outcomes for them being together.

kristal Feb 13 2014 9:02 am Love this movie.. Although the ending doesn't give me the certain ending I wanted.. Still, I like the first love story.. It ache my heart beautifully and innocently.. I hate Yoo Yeonseok's role (Jaewook) for ruining everything, but I have soft spot for Chilbongie...so..... Hahaha XD Recommended!

kristal Feb 13 2014 9:01 am Love this movie.. Although the ending doesn't give me the certain ending I wanted.. Still, I like the first love story.. It ache my heart beautifully and innocently.. Recommended!

elle Jan 30 2014 12:24 am my all time favorite movie...it's sad but it feels real..i expected Seung min would come to seo yeon's embrace but he couldn't do that for his fiance and mother..the three of them,seung min,seo yeon,eun chae are pitiful..but it's okay with eun chae coz she didnt have any idea that seung min actually loves another woman..as for seo yeon, i think pride sometimes makes you regret things.i would have chased seungmin when he said goodbye and explained everything..

Edvard Dec 08 2013 9:58 am I think the ending is perfect. I mean yes, it left us all wandering so what happened next? I think for the movie to be good, there must be something unrevealed. Just imagine if director has showed us the ending. We would have watched it and moved on. But now it's killing us, because we don't know what happened next. It leaves us imagining various possible endings, right? That's the beauty of this movie. I just watched it and i believe it will haunt me for the next few days! :) Although i agree with someone who said, that Seungmin was mature and moved on with his life :)

Lagawani Nov 28 2013 2:59 pm little bit talk about architecture, but it was good for Introduction to architecture. good movie good suzy

Diane Nov 26 2013 2:11 am I have a slightly different take on the ending. Seung-min had moved on in his life, and was mature enough to recognize that. At the same time, he showed Seo-yeon that he remembered her as his first love, and honoured her in every thoughtful detail in the home he built. This is a very moving story of first love, with an unusually intelligent and loving perspective. Thank-you Lee Yong-Ju for showing some of the complexity of human relationships.

Kean Nov 13 2013 1:39 pm Jason! Thanks to you i can now move on from this movie ending. As you said the ending wasnt that really clear but i didnt saw it the way you saw the movie ending but now thanks to you i can now move on. You're definitely right a marriage without love? That's the ending i was hoping for and glad you made me realize how perfect this movie is. :) Han Ga-In is so beautiful i really hope she do more romance comedy film like this one in the future. One of a kind movie you will feel every feelings from happy, sad and laugh.

Excalibunny Oct 04 2013 12:41 pm What can I say.. This is a great movie. It's plot almost reminds me of the movie "More Then Love". Both lovers from their respective movies refuse to be honest about their feelings until the very end. The lovers in Architecture 101 realized their love after they reunited as adults. The time they have lost can never been returned, and so is their love. It's really saddening. The lovers in More Than Blue met a more tragic ending, when they only realize their love after death. Which one is worse is hard to say. Death marks the end and can be interpreted as a new beginning. In any way, the two lovers are together in another realm. In Architecture 101, they finally know that they both loved each other, but the woman is divorced and man is getting married; they can't be together anymore and they are gonna spend the rest of their lives regretting the choices they made. On the side note, I've seen Suzy in action in two dramas; Dream High and Gu Family Book. Honestly, I feel nothing for her. However after watching this movie, I think I'm starting to like her.

Jason Sep 18 2013 2:46 pm Psychology 101. This is a great film, everything is so subtle including the end. Story development is addictive. One of the best part of the film and also what bothers people the most is the big question. did she or did she not back in the room? For me, it is obvious! No, she didn't! This is based on her personnality portrayed in the film and her reaction after the event. Director wants you to feel what Seung-Min think! He is so blind and coward away from his first love. The end is also great as I cannot imagine a better ending. Everything is obvious but it is just not shown! The fact they both kept souvenirs (house plan and cd player) from their past show their undying love for each other. Even the director show Seung-Min taking the plane, we all know what happen to marriage without love. The director only show what he wants to show, the rest is in your mind. I might be wrong or right! Who knows?

Dianne Sep 06 2013 2:53 am Loved this movie! Watched to see Uhm Tae-Woong, Bae Suzy, and Lee Je-Hoon. Their performances were fantastic! I didn't see the actors -- I only saw the characters they portrayed. For me, that's a great movie with great actors!! I wanted the ending to be different as I thought he would cancel his wedding and come back to her... Guess there was too much water under the bridge to bring them back together...

Nation's First Love Jul 27 2013 3:52 pm Wow, it was a good movie. As much as I anticipated a happy ending, I also didn't want it. But I was VERY curious as to what happened when Yeon Seok took Suzy into her house. But for those of you who are also curious, a radio host also asked Suzy what went on in the room. Suzy was hesitant but then replied with a smile saying, "What happened in the room.... is whatever you think happened." So that leaves viewers to what we think happened and we all know what we thought happened. LOL But when she came out her room the next day in the movie, it looked as if she didn't recall any of it because she was drunk. Anyway, Yeon Seok also confessed about what happened after he took Suzy into the room on a show called "Strong Heart." He said that after he shot the scene of taking Suzy into the room, he left for the day and that the noises Je Hoon heard had been made by the staff. He also said he doesn't understand why all of Korea hated him for something he really didn't do. LOL That killed me. But at least we know what really went down!! Think of it the way you want. Reality vs. Interpreting.

P.S. Don't forget to catch Yeon Seok and Suzy back together again in Gu Family Book! Don't worry, if you hated his character in Architecture 101, you'll hate him a little less. :)

lurazop Jul 25 2013 10:15 pm great! Different ending from any other cliche love story.

cheszka_47 Jul 23 2013 6:42 am can't understand anything in this movie.

disappointed. much.

Multishopbd.com Jul 13 2013 7:49 am I Am Downloading this movie now :)

Taylor Jun 16 2013 8:05 pm I really really liked this movie. The story was very nice, and the actors were amazing. About the ending, I was expecting that because korean movies arent like americans, that in the end there is 99% of change of a happy ending. However, I really believe that they will meet up in the future and get together hehe :)

Thara Apr 29 2013 2:47 am I watched this movie yesterday ... I like the design of the house very much. Wish I can stay there :)

Adam Sokołowski from Poland Apr 06 2013 4:52 am I benn watching this movie, hmm..this will be good ?. Must be!;)

WOW Apr 02 2013 3:41 pm Omg, I initially watched this for Suzy (huge miss A fan) but whoa............. Han Ga-in.... She is soo darn beautiful in this movie, is she even real? Omg... her visuals, seriously, amazing. I'm a total Han Ga-in fan now even though her acting here is a bit stiff, I wonder how she is in her other works.....

Jarmsk Feb 24 2013 7:29 am I love this movie but there are something bugging me a lot. Did Suzy sleep with Lee Jee-Hoon's friend the night she was drunk? The next morning she looks so happy that make me think nothing happen that night. However, why on earth when Lee Jee-Hoon cut her out, she didn't ask anything or trying to see him to get the reason? It looks like they just forgot and move on with their life. I really need to see part two please, Lee Yong -Joo ^_^

jhyniee Jan 27 2013 11:18 am Such a great movie. This movie made me cry so much. My tears were literally falling all throughout the film. I feel bad for both of them but I guess that's how life really is. Great job for all the actors!

athena Oct 15 2012 5:24 am I watched this movie in August this year..love it..especially about the architecture..love the house..love the story ,its sad and so like 'real life'.I am normal viewer, I love happy ending but this movie is a reality.Thing that happen in real life..My only wish is I could understand Hangul,it would have given me a real impact on the story..

Gegen Oct 09 2012 2:47 am This is how you would likely think when you're in mid-30s. Career, lost love, advancing forward, parents, plans... -sigh- how I miss our campus in Tembalang...

april Sep 23 2012 8:38 am the ending is disappointing :(

NM17177 Aug 12 2012 9:48 am i love this movie because of Lee Je Hoon and Jo Jung-Suk.even Jo Jung-Suk's scene just in the past.the scene about he explained how to kiss make me laugh everytime i remember it..

anton Aug 08 2012 10:44 am come on for "Architecture 101''#2 :D

Mary Jul 13 2012 5:54 pm This movie was fantastic. It was amazing and beautiful. I think all actors did a great job in portraying their roles. The scenes that really got me was when Seo-yeon started shouting 'Go to Hell' repeatedly while being drunk. The other was when young Seungmin wanted to go back home but the taxi driver wasn't willing to drive him over there and starts beating Seungmin up. The last one was when Seungmin grows doubtful about his relationship with young Seo-yeon and cries to his brother. Those scenes got me crying so hard. I had expected Seungmin to drop out of his relationship and go back to Seo-yeon his first love (since that's how kdramas/kmovies always are) but when he continued to stay with Eun Chae, it really surprised me and although I think Seungmin did want to leave, he didn't for his mother and Eun Chae herself. Overall, this movie was impressive but very sad though. I'm satisfied with the ending too. I loved it <3

moviegoer Jul 07 2012 2:20 am This movie is so good...I like the mood of the 90's...such nostalgia... What I like the most is the transition from past to present vice versa..its so nicely done..the actors and actresses are so good...I definitely recommend this movie..its worth watching...It suits the realistic mood..the ending is just perfect :) daebak!! another worthy movie in my list.

Saah Jun 25 2012 1:57 pm I decided to watch this film today... at first i thought its gonna be boring film but then 4min into the movie i was hooked. This film is warm, sweet, beautiful love story. The cast was perfect. Don't miss this one.

kenneth Jun 23 2012 3:44 am so boring... from da the beginning til the end!!! waste of time!!

Mew Jun 19 2012 10:27 pm anyone know what the instrumental music is in the trailer???

GalZy Jun 15 2012 10:40 pm Good movie to the end. You can love somebody for a life time even though you're not together. N the house... it makes me want to build one just like that where you can enjoy the sun and sea from a garden in the rooftop. Superb.

shebnatheroyalassassin Jun 11 2012 5:55 pm The movie is good.I thought Seung Min and Seo Yeon will be together in the end :)

engkus Jun 08 2012 10:15 pm not as good as expected ~_~!

Sydney N. F. G. Jun 08 2012 7:49 am Suzy I'm your biggest fan even I'm just 13 years old I always dreamed to be like you.

Rob Jun 05 2012 1:22 am Focus on your movie career suzy so you could recognize as a serious actress

snsd4ever! Apr 13 2012 11:42 am suzy hwaiting!!! you've done alot of acting and now you're gonna acting in a new drama called BIG! hwaiting!! i'll always support you!

mickey Apr 01 2012 8:16 pm Suzy so pretty without make up...and i'm really sure this movie will be daebakk.. =)

Ki Mar 26 2012 10:59 pm I haven’t watched a romance film that impressed like “Architecture 101″ in quite sometime. There’s last year’s “Late Autumn,” and then there’s quite a gap between another romance film that impressed me like this. “Architecture 101″ is also likely to pique the interest of many other Koreans here due to the casting choices of Uhm Tae-Woong, Han Ga-In, Lee Je-Hoon & Bae Suzy. All of these actors seem to be cresting at the apex of their respective entertainment careers. Uhm Tae-Woong’s popularity has been on a rise with his appearance on Korean variety/reality show “1 Night and 2 days” (even though that popularity hasn’t necessarily related to box office success – reference “Never Ending Story”). Meanwhile, Han Ga-In is fresh off her performance in MBC drama series “The Moon Embracing The Sun,” which regularly received ratings in excess of 40% in Korea. Lee Je-Hoon has reached a level of stardom with young teens that is virtually at rock star level (I nearly got trampled by his fans at his guest appearance at last year’s Busan International Film Festival). Lastly, Bae Suzy is a member of ultra-popular Kpop group “Miss A.” The movie is also directed by Lee Yong-Ju, previously directed the well received 2009 horror film “Possessed”. Unusual for a horror film, “Possessed” received frequent nominations from Korean movie award ceremonies.

“Architecture 101″ tells the story of mid-30′s architect Seung-Min (Uhm Tae-Woong) who one day receives a surprise visit from his first love. The woman’s name is Seo-Yeon (Han Ga-In) and she now wants to hire Seung-Min to rebuild her father’s home on Jeju Island. Flashbacks then occur of their budding romance during their college freshman days, while the woman’s home restoration project runs in parallel in the present day. The renovation of the home also serves as a thoughtful allegory for the two main characters’ relationship. Forgotten emotions are rekindled in the process, as they grapple with their past and future. Interesting enough, the movie unfolds a bit like a mystery where each scene reveals more about the characters and their past.

During the early portions of the film, when the use of flashbacks first occurs, I wondered to myself if the film would turn out as a clone of Kang Hyung-Chul “Sunny”. After the conclusion of “Architecture 101,” I can surmise that the success of “Sunny” probably gave inspiration to the film’s flashback techniques, but the story feels unique and, because of this, you quickly forget the comparisons with “Sunny”.

The star of the show for myself is Bae Suzy. Although, Bae Suzy’s role didn’t require a lot of dynamics, the level of charm Bae Suzy brought to her character, without having to resort cutesiness, just impresses. I have no doubt she will have a prodigious acting career if she chooses. Lee Je-Hoon also excelled in his performance as the innocent college aged version of Uhm Tae-Woong’s main character. One thing did bug me though with Lee Je-Hoon’s performance. In the movie, he often wears lipstick more colorful than what Bae Suzy wears. It’s a fad for some younger men here in South Korea today, which I have no problems with, but in the film, Lee Je-Hoon’s character exists in the 1980′s. Back in those days, guys just didn’t wear lipstick and this aspect stuck out like a sore thumb, especially when you consider they did an otherwise fantastic job recreating the style from that era. The present day actors didn’t impress as much, but they were perfectly acceptable in their roles.

At its core, “Architecture 101″ is a restrained romance film that just delivers on an emotional level. The film lacks the typical “drama” level for its genre, which is good thing for me. As the movie progresses, the story becomes more interesting, characters become intimately more personal and you become completely vested in their story. As a rough guideline for what you can expect in “Architecture 101,” think of the story structure in “Sunny” that meets the love/heartbreak found in Japanese film “Crying Out Love, In The Center of the World” (but far less dramatic). Also, certain picturesque moments in the film will undoubtably find a permanent home in your own memories.

jen Mar 21 2012 4:42 pm the movie is supposed to come out today ! i want to see it so bad !

charmel Mar 14 2012 10:33 pm wow I guess this is another beautiful story....can't wait to see!

Helena Mar 13 2012 9:27 pm It's a must watch movie since Han Ga In is in it!!!! Now that's a real actress!! Suzy's not bad but hey you have a PRO like Han Ga In in the movie!!! when there's a pro you kind of forget about the newbie ;)

theguy Mar 07 2012 7:07 am why only suzy? u shud give credits to han ga in too!!!!!!!! han ga in jjang!

friend Jan 27 2012 11:23 pm i love you suzy,you are so pretty.I just want to be like u,and i hope i see you in TV more often.:)

sakura Jan 23 2012 9:01 pm i cant wait to see it, especially suzys part in the story, go suzy!

Princess Dec 20 2011 11:37 pm OmoH!!!!! Suzy unni will be in this movie!! CAn't wait!!! I super love her in Dream High! I hope you'll have many more dramas and movies in the future! Saranghaeyo Suzy-ssi! <3 FIGHTING~!

References

"'건축학 개론'의 서연 집, 태풍 볼라벤에 파손", "SBS News," "August 30, 2012".

Architecture 101 (Korean Movie)

Contents

User Rating

Profile

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

Awards

Q&A (Busan International Film Festival)

Session 1 (October 5, 2012)

Session 2 (October 8, 2012)

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