In this blog post, I’d like to explore the appeal of time-traveling fantasy romances through ‘I’m Coming to Meet You’ and ‘A Secret That Cannot Be Told’, and consider why people are so moved by these love stories.
Time-Traveling Love: Common Themes in Fantasy Romances
The Japanese film ‘I’m Coming to Meet You’ and the Taiwanese film ‘Secret’ have been well-received by audiences and are still highly recommended and frequently discussed today. In particular, the piano soundtrack from ‘Secret’ is so famous that even those who haven’t seen the movie have likely heard it at least once. Despite coming from different countries—Japan and Taiwan—these films share the common trait of being romantic dramas infused with fantasy. Furthermore, coincidentally, the cinematic fantasy in both films involves defying the passage of time. Not only these two films, but people in general love and are moved by movies depicting love that defies and transcends time. I, too, of course, find such films incredibly entertaining and enjoy them immensely. So why do people get moved to tears by these love stories that could never exist in the real world? Through these two films, which share similar themes, I’d like to explore why people enjoy fantasy-infused romances and melodramas.
First, people value time immensely. They don’t want to waste it and strive to live each day to the fullest. The reason is that everyone knows they will die. People die. All living things will eventually die, and it is out of both fear and curiosity about this that we dream of time travel. The desire to go to the future likely stems from a wish to prepare for what’s to come, while traveling to the past reflects a desire to reminisce about the past, reflect on regrets, and experience a different life—not a repeat of the one they’ve already lived.
In both films, the protagonists do not fear death. In ‘I’m Coming to Meet You’, the female lead—a mother and wife who already knows she is going to die—lives her life to experience a love free of regrets. In ‘A Secret That Cannot Be Told’, where the male protagonist travels to the past, he also strives relentlessly to fulfill his love even in the face of death. In a way, the protagonists are selfish. Although they know their own futures, they give the impression of accepting their fate rather than trying to avoid it. Yet, rather than criticizing them, people are moved by their stories. This is because the fantastical element of time travel evokes even stronger emotions in viewers. People shed tears as the protagonists methodically prepare for their painful futures. Whether it’s a happy ending or a sad one, this genre has a distinct charm that resonates with and delights audiences.
Experiencing love that’s hard to achieve in reality through movies
People dream. And they harbor fantasies. In that infinite world, no barriers exist. But turning those dreams into reality is difficult. Movies make those realities come true, and it seems people feel a sense of vicarious satisfaction while watching them. People find beauty in using time travel to change an unfulfilled love story and make that love a reality.
In ‘I’m Coming to Meet You’, the story of a deceased mother and wife who returns in the rain to share memories before disappearing, the wife—who had traveled from the future—stole the audience’s tears as she patiently prepared for the future she had experienced while her husband lay unconscious after an accident. In ‘Secret’, the story of a man who falls in love with a woman from the past, gives up his present life, and travels back in time, people feel both a sense of mystery and deep emotion. Moreover, these cinematic fantasy depictions are so realistic that they make it feel as though we could do the same.
Everyone has, at least once, regretted something they didn’t do the day before. The fantasy of “if only I could turn back time” has taken root in each person’s imagination as their own personal fantasy. It seems to be a defining characteristic of the fantasy genre to feel exhilaration when witnessing such imaginings come to life.
The synergy created when fantasy and romance come together
When people think of fantasy, they often picture movies like ‘The Lord of the Rings’ or ‘Harry Potter’. However, the fantasy genre encompasses many subgenres as well.
For example, this includes science fiction films or the epic storytelling found in works like ‘Harry Potter’. However, the fantasy genre has a unique quality: it produces greater impact and blends more effectively when combined with other genres rather than standing alone. When fantasy elements are paired with romance—a genre that explores love—they create significant synergy.
It also seems clear that the fantasy genre offers the advantage of being easier and more enjoyable to watch than genres like thrillers or horror, which tend to be more polarizing. There’s no need to rack your brain; you can simply enjoy the fantasy genre for the pure entertainment it provides in the moment, and even feel a sense of satisfaction as a bonus. When a love story is added to the mix, it becomes something that anyone—regardless of age or gender—can enjoy.
Given the box office success of the recently released film ‘The Girl from Another World’, a fantasy film based on time travel, it’s clear that we often look back on our passing days with a sense of longing. This fantasy theme proves to be a commercially viable concept and creates fond memories for audiences.
The Potential of Fantasy Romance in Korean Cinema
The fantasy genre has many strengths. Of course, individual perceptions can vary widely depending on how each person interprets it, and it’s certainly not a genre that’s easy to tackle lightly. However, I believe it’s one of the best genres for providing audiences with a unique form of enjoyment. I think the fantasy romance genre, in particular, is one that allows many people to experience deep emotional resonance without feeling overwhelmed.
I feel that there still aren’t many fantasy films in South Korea. It’s true that the number of such films lags significantly behind action and thriller genres. However, I also believe it’s a more commercially viable subject matter than any other film genre. If more fantasy films—not just fantasy romances but various subgenres as well—were released, allowing audiences to experience many times more enjoyment, I believe Korean cinema would see even greater growth.
