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Once Upon a Time in High School
말죽거리 잔혹사
2004 116 min South Korea 12+
★7.2
Romance, Drama, Action
Director: Ha Yoo
Trailers
Description
A model student transfers to the notorious Jungmoon High School known for its severe corporal punishment by teachers and power struggles between school gangs.
Starring
Kwon Sang-woo
Actor
Lee Jung-Jin
Actor
Han Ga-in
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
Once Upon a Time in High School provides a gritty, atmospheric exploration of 1970s South Korean youth, blending brutal school-life realism with personal growth. While the narrative pace and the portrayal of male power dynamics can feel uneven or alienating, the film succeeds as a compelling, thought-provoking drama.
| Production | The film masterfully recreates the gritty, authentic atmosphere of 1970s South Korean school life. | |
| Theme | The narrative effectively grounds complex themes of adolescent insecurity and moral discovery in the reality of student life. | |
| Pacing | The storytelling is ambitious in its genre-blending, though the uneven pacing leads some viewers to find the experience occasionally boring or inconsistent. | |
| Acting | The acting performances are viewed as inconsistent, though most agree they remain functional enough to not undermine the film's overall impact. |