Love Untangled review — A love that unravels, breaks, and binds again

Love Untangled feels like a simple high school romance at first glance, a promise of two hours of playful energy, confessions waiting to happen, and the realization of love just around the corner.

Se-ri, our protagonist, thinks that straightening her hair will change her life, as if appearance alone could rewrite her story; however, what unfolds during these two hours is way richer.

She isn’t ridiculed for her looks the way one might expect, and the narrative resists falling into clichés. Instead, Love Untangled builds its heart around the way friendships shift, love grows with warmth, and choices shape the person you are becoming.

From friendship to first love

It’s easy to believe everything will stay light and sweet, especially when Se-ri realizes that her feelings for the boy she once wanted to confess to have already faded. Her heart is turning toward the best friend who’s been beside her all along, and their connection begins to shine with warmth and natural charm.

The shift feels authentic and gentle, the kind of love story that makes us smile before we even notice. It flows without rush, convincing us that love can emerge not through drama, but through trust and familiarity.

Yet, just when comfort settles in, Love Untangled reminds us there are thirty minutes left. That’s when it dares to touch heavier themes, moments of loss, reflection, and the kind of challenges that push love to its breaking point.

When love asks for patience

The beauty of Love Untangled is that even when hardship arrives, the tenderness between Se-ri and her friend remains luminous. The film shows love not as a naïve promise, but as a conscious choice.

In one of the most devastatingly beautiful turns, Se-ri even lets go of her own happiness because of the gravity of what her love and his mother face. That sacrifice nearly shatters our hearts, yet it deepens the truth of their bond.

The ending, set years later, reunites them not with grand gestures but with the calm inevitability of two people who were always meant to find their way back.

Love Untangled: A romance with depth

What makes Love Untangled stand out is its balance. It's a teen romance that carries the weight of adulthood, a coming-of-age tale that embraces both friends and classmates, and a story of grief and resilience as much as first love.

The actors bring warmth and charisma to every scene, carrying the tone of a blanket wrapped around you on a cold day, a cup of hot chocolate in your hands. It’s tender, sincere, and irresistibly comforting.

By the time the credits roll, Love Untangled feels less like watching a film and more like receiving a hug.

Why Korean cinema gets it right

Cinema from Korea rarely disappoints me, and Love Untangled is a perfect example of why. It avoids the traps of unnecessary melodrama and instead trusts us with a narrative that is playful, heartfelt, and moving in equal measure.

Among all the romances of the year, this one stands at the top for me, not just as a teen movie, but as a romance, full stop. It's delightful, charming, and unforgettable.

Rating with a touch of flair: 5 out of 5 tangled hearts that find their way into harmony.

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As a final nod, the film gifts viewers with a delightful surprise. The actor who delivers the line about a table where people find true love is none other than the iconic star of Goblin, Gong Yoo, a playful and affectionate Easter egg that makes the ending even sweeter.