By Ian Kane
PG-13 | 1h 43m | Drama | 2018
Japanese manga have become a worldwide cultural phenomenon, and Japan’s filmmakers have turned adapting them into a kind of national pastime. If a story becomes even moderately popular, it usually gets the full treatment: an anime and/or live-action version.
The creative machine never stops, and audiences keep showing up for more. Once those adaptations leave Japan, filmmakers elsewhere often decide to put their own spin on them, with results that range from surprisingly great to curiously strange.
South Korea, now a powerhouse in global cinema, has developed a particular talent for this. The country’s directors have reimagined numerous Japanese works and managed to make some of them feel completely new.
Hye-won (Kim Tae-ri), in “Little Forest.” GJW+
“Little Forest” (original title: “Liteul poleseuteu”) illustrates this beautifully. The film is based on Daisuke Igarashi’s book published in a manga series (2003–2005), which he created after spending time living in rural Japan.
The story follows a young woman who leaves city life behind and returns to her hometown in the countryside. There, she rediscovers calm through simple routines such as cooking produce from her garden, tending to the land, and reconnecting with folks from her past. What begins as an escape turns into eventual renewal, shaped by food, memory, and the natural pace of each season.
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The 2018 Korean film captures the spirit of the 2014 Japanese version while standing comfortably on its own. A small puppy joins the story, adding a touch of cuteness without overdoing it.
(L–R) Hye-won (Kim Tae-ri) reconnects with friends Jae-ha (Ryu Jun-yeol in the back on the tractor), and Eun-sook (Jin Ki-joo), in “Little Forest.” GJW+
Watching the film feels like opening a window on a clear spring morning and remembering what fresh air feels like. It reminds viewers that simple stories can leave a lasting impression when told with sincerity and care.
Friends and Recipes
Hye-won (Kim Tae-ri) leaves the hustle and bustle of Seoul and returns to her rural hometown, where a small house, an overgrown garden, and her mother’s handwritten recipes set the pace of her life.
She plants vegetables and cooks throughout the seasons. Cooking becomes her way of reconnecting and learning, with every harvest showing her what observation and timing can do. The kitchen becomes a place to think with a ladle, and the fields supply both ingredients and perspective.
In this simpler environment, Hye-won reconnects with Jae-ha (Ryu Jun-yeol) and Eun-sook (Jin Ki-joo), friends who bring produce, stories, and the kind of help that shows up in boots. The trio shares meals, swaps memories, and figures out life between pest patrols and cold snaps.
(L–R) Hye-won (Kim Tae-ri), Jae-ha (Ryu Jun-yeol), and Eun-sook (Jin Ki-joo), in “Little Forest.” GJW+
Viewers are treated to a plethora of soups, stews, and slow-cooked meals, with small hurdles that nudge Hye-won toward steadier footing. The film lets the seasons of the year carry the story, saving the big events for later and keeping the focus on Hye-won and a home that begins to fit again.
A Strong Case for Slow Living
When Hye-won first arrives, she tells Eun-sook that she came because she was hungry. Eun-sook doesn’t really get what she means, but it’s clear Hye-won isn’t just talking about food. She’s craving food with dirt still clinging to the roots before washing and a life that actually nourishes her soul.
The romance never swells into a mushy side plot. Jae-ha and Eun-sook bring humor, old memories, and the kind of company that makes work go faster.
The sound design also deserves credit. It’s so crisp that I checked my phone once, only to realize it was Hye-won’s ringtone on screen. Her soup slurping is loud and unapologetic, although some viewers might find it a bit much.
I laughed, nodded in recognition, and then went to make sure I still had noodles in the pantry. From wind blowing through the tall grass to a knife chopping on a cutting board, the soundtrack has flavor.
Tae-ri leads the film with calm assurance as the story moves through each season. Cooking gives her focus and space to reflect. Her friends appear often, sharing small moments that reveal their closeness, and the film allows those scenes to breathe on their own.
“Little Forest” will leave the viewer with a full heart and a grumbling (hungry) stomach. It’s the kind of film that restores faith in the simple things in life, and whets the appetite at the same time. No fireworks or sugar rush, just the steady rhythm of soil, soup, lots of cabbage, and people who keep showing up when it matters.
“Little Forest” is available on GJW+
‘Little Forest’ Director: Soon-rye Yim Starring: Kim Tae-ri, Jin Ki-joo, Ryu Jun-yeol MPAA Rating: PG-13 Running Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes Release Date: Feb. 28, 2018 Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
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