I think at the very end... Hae Sung found closure. He was never rude to Nora during the entire film... but while waiting for the Uber on the final scene, he tells Nora "You are the one who always leaves". I never left". This is absolutely true as Nora leaves him as children to go to Canada and then she leaves him again when reconnected 12 years after to focus on her career. Those words from Hae Sung broke her (literally) when she (once again) becomes a "crybaby" in the arms of Arthur. Wow... powerful stuff!!!
Absolutely, she did. A second watch is a must on this particular movie to piece everything together. He left in the Uber without looking back. He knows he can now finally move on back in Seoul after finding closure. She is the one that will now struggle with guilt, regret and sadness. I think this movie is very deep and extraordinary. I hope it wins an Oscar. Thanks for reading my post. Cheers Vader!@@darthvader6916
That is not what he says at the end. He says, "What if this is a past live as well, and we are already something else to each other in our next life? Who do you think we are then?"
The way they slowly turned towards each other while waiting for the uber. that lingering look they both have in their eyes. that sudden turned from Hae Sung as he was about to get in the car and that walk Nora took where she slowly cries and bawled out. MHAN! That made me bawled out. Goodbyes to relationships you clearly wanted to have but never did with lots of 'what if" seems to be the hardest. The movie was really about what ifs and goodbyes. I can't wait for more movies from Celine.
If the film had lasted half an hour longer, that's exactly what would have happened. She would have left Arthur, or Arthur would have left. Their relationship is doomed at that point.
@@squirrely8418 Not really. Arthur is finally let in to that side of her he feared he would never have access to. Nora finally lets out her bottled up emotions regarding Hae Sung & through Arthur & her actions we see that they truly care for eachother.
@@GRAFFDEMON Arthur could barely hide his jealousy. He knows that the two of them are meant for each other. Everyone knows this, including the film viewers. There is, just like 12 years before, no relevant reason that could separate these lovers. On the way to the airport Hae Sung realizes that he himself is the one who leaves, for the second time. And he decided to fight.
@@squirrely8418 He doesn't hide his jealousy at all. He straight up tells Nora how he feels about the two of them & how he feels regarding their relationship when they're talking in bed together. "Are you mad?" "I dont have the right to be." Confirming he does have negative feelings but he doesn't shy away from them whilst also acknowledging how important this is for his wife. Hae Sung & Nora also being "meant for" eachother seeing their relationship as doomed is pretty reductive & also why this movie is so great at subverting that trope. Nora closes the book on Hae Sung when she finally lets go after the scene where he leaves. They all get closure & decide to move on. You see them as meant for eachother because of the initial framing & how typical romances are played out in movies but that's not how real life and real people work. Which again, is why this film is so great.
check out park chan wook too. It's sad nowadays people know him just him from " Oldboy " which is a masterpiece but he has more great movies, equally great
When Hae Sung called Nora one last time, he also knew that that was the last time he was going to see her. The flashback made me cry instantly. You could see that both of them wanted to go back in time - to be 12 year olds again. The ending was really sad and I wish it ended differently.
@@renzrenzrenzrenzrenz exactly! All these women looking for a happy ending are in a fantasy world. The whole idea of meeting when Nora was now married to Arthur was so wrong. She betrayed her husband and disrespected him and their marraige. The correct responce should have been i don't want to have any thing to do with you I'm a married woman.
The ending was very realistic, I think. I would have done the same thing if I were Nora. Hae Sung is a fantasy/wonderful memory, Arthur reality. I just didn‘t expect that he came to see Nora to say good-bye especially when he had just broken up with his girlfriend before he went to New York. I thought he wanted to see the possibilities for them. But I think they both needed either closure or a new beginning for them. Closure was just the most logical step because they both have their „new/current“ lives.
@@riaconradt2554 nothing about this is realistic, its a daydream, a fantasy. Its the kind of thing your mind wanders to when your taking your time faling asleep, the male version is daydreaming about becoming a sports champion or saving the day in a bank robbery. Underlying the morality of the movie is selfish choice and the consequences.
The movie needed to end the way it is. Romantic relationships in Hollywood have always been portrayed as “soulmates over everything” not withstanding fidelity. Thinking about what ifs is the reason why people go back on their commitments and turn unhappy. When you commit, you have “inyeon” with the person you chose to commit as much as “inyeon” with the other person you thought as your soulmate or your second love. People are not robots. Their actions will determine their consequences. Relatable, well made movie.
As someone who went through a similar situation (and with only 20 years not the 24 the characters had), it has actually become a cathartic experience for me. I do recommend you give it a watch if you've lived through something similar.
Just watched it and gonna watch it again soon. Very beautiful and slow and gentle. I very much enjoyed it but I did feel rather sad at the end even though I understood why it ended the way it did.
IMHO, she always run away from him because she realized he's not strong enough to fight for their love, when they started to talk again, she recommended him to watch "Eternal Sunshine of a spotless mind", but he doesn't understand that she was trying to open up his eyes, because he decided to go to China instead of New York. She realized, their love was impossible because of him then he had a relationship but didn't fight for that girl and when Norah asked him why he didn't do it, he expressed he is too poor, all the time he's avoiding to fight for love. She realized it and decided to stay with his husband. However, she loved him. That's why she cries like a baby at the end. And this time someone cares about her tears, his lovely husband. It was good for both to say goodbye.
Yeah, thats another way to look at it, it seems like both were just the right match but never at the right time as both had other priorities such as family, career, school, etc
Korean culture the eldest Son takes care of their parents, it’s not easy to follow a girl when both your parents depend on you. It’s not about fighting for your girl is about both parties fighting for each other, she wasn’t willing to give up her career for him.
So simple on the surface but such genius, intricate storytelling. In Hollywood, they've left this kinda storytelling awhile ago. I can see it now... "Past Lives 2: The Return of Haesung" or a remake with completely different actors in 10 years. 😮💨
I more or less watched was dragged in to watch this movie kicking and screaming. But i was taken in from the very first scene. I totally loved it and the ending wow.
À beautiful film. Well made on every level, wonderful detail and ideas. It made me cry my eyes out. I can relate to this on so many levels. Sometimes, it's better to leave the past alone--less painful. If you ever lost a friend you loved for whatever reason, it may be better to leave your feelings in the past and try to move on. People change and circumstances change. Move forward one day at a time and focus on what's in front of you never looking back and never hoping for anything to return from the past, then you'll be truly happy.
I am a Romantic I think she was always in love with him but she suppressed it and rationalized it in her statements, that little girl is not me anymore, He was more honest with his feelings and did not suppress them. I think she broke down at the end because she recognized the truth they are soulmates and we’re meant to be together.
Nora is highly ambitious and has an idea what she wants to achieve. First it was Nobel Second was Pulitzer Now she wants a Toni. She was plucked when she was young, but she did follow her dreams. The ones who stay at the same place, feel the hole in the space where their friend used to be. Nora says he is Korean Korean. Meaning stuck in traditional customs. Her Korean American friends are different . Not sure they could bridge the gap of 24 years
At the end of the movie, when she finally "breaks down" ...I think, her real feelings came out.....and she probably knew who she loved, more...........
The movie was perfect. Thoughts and ideas laid out, comes full circle in the end. However, this movie didnt resonate with me as much like it did with everyone, because to me Nora and Hae Sung was straight disrespecting Arthur. 😂😂
the thing I adore is Arthur too. He is a well-behaved husband. Dude knew everything from the day Hae landed and still never ever scolded or though ill of Hae or his wife. This type of husband is rare in the US and in the West. It's good to see this type portrayed.
I finally just caught the film because it's back in theater since the Oscar nominations came out. This makes.perfect sense on how the film ends. It was so touching
He was just happy to be able to properly say goodbye to his friend… umm I don’t believe that. Surprising to hear that from the writer/ Director. He seemed so heartbroken at the unrequited love and seems to have gone there in hopes that she would choose him.
People here praising 'past lives' should watch "96" movie. Latter is a bigger masterpiece than past lives, in terms of closure and what happened between two lovers. The final scene will tear you apart
This is a very female outlook. Men are not friends with women. They were sweethearts not friends. The 3rd goodbye as adults was sad for everyone. The husband has been disrespected by nora and hey sung has wasted his opportunities for love and his own happiness by not letting his relationship to nota go and move on. For nora the lost Korean life is morned.
À very régressive viewpoint. They were children and had a pure platonic love for each other that never became a physical romance. Love isn't the same as lust. In any case, this is you who cannot be friends with women, but other men are different. There was no disrespect to the husband, he knew that her friend that she loved as a child and lost was coming to see her. Disrespecting him would have been to hide it.
I think in reality, Nora will feel empty after him leaving and years later she gets a divorce and goes back to Korea to see him and after being with him for months, she realize they both different in many ways. So she goes back to America and just focus on career.
it was a blatant self insert by the director, basically to put down the korean guy, she must have had some beef with a past unsuccessful relationship with a Korean guy
I think at the very end... Hae Sung found closure. He was never rude to Nora during the entire film... but while waiting for the Uber on the final scene, he tells Nora "You are the one who always leaves". I never left". This is absolutely true as Nora leaves him as children to go to Canada and then she leaves him again when reconnected 12 years after to focus on her career. Those words from Hae Sung broke her (literally) when she (once again) becomes a "crybaby" in the arms of Arthur. Wow... powerful stuff!!!
Omfg?? I never thought about this and brushed over this but this makes so much sense. It was nora who pushed him
Absolutely, she did. A second watch is a must on this particular movie to piece everything together. He left in the Uber without looking back. He knows he can now finally move on back in Seoul after finding closure. She is the one that will now struggle with guilt, regret and sadness. I think this movie is very deep and extraordinary. I hope it wins an Oscar. Thanks for reading my post.
Cheers Vader!@@darthvader6916
That is not what he says at the end. He says, "What if this is a past live as well, and we are already something else to each other in our next life? Who do you think we are then?"
WOW
@@deepanshupanwar501 True. I rewatched the movie, and the line I read was yours. Which of the two translations right? Needs Korean Korean here.
The way they slowly turned towards each other while waiting for the uber. that lingering look they both have in their eyes. that sudden turned from Hae Sung as he was about to get in the car and that walk Nora took where she slowly cries and bawled out. MHAN! That made me bawled out.
Goodbyes to relationships you clearly wanted to have but never did with lots of 'what if" seems to be the hardest.
The movie was really about what ifs and goodbyes.
I can't wait for more movies from Celine.
IF you remember this also was a reference to when they were in the park as kids playing in the 2 statues facing each other. This was a beautiful film.
@@justinlewis6772that’s true
Nah, goodbyes to relationships where the love was one sided are the hardest ones to deal with
cant wait for part 8000 when they actually get together
😭😭😭😭😭😭
If the film had lasted half an hour longer, that's exactly what would have happened. She would have left Arthur, or Arthur would have left. Their relationship is doomed at that point.
@@squirrely8418 Not really. Arthur is finally let in to that side of her he feared he would never have access to. Nora finally lets out her bottled up emotions regarding Hae Sung & through Arthur & her actions we see that they truly care for eachother.
@@GRAFFDEMON
Arthur could barely hide his jealousy. He knows that the two of them are meant for each other. Everyone knows this, including the film viewers. There is, just like 12 years before, no relevant reason that could separate these lovers. On the way to the airport Hae Sung realizes that he himself is the one who leaves, for the second time. And he decided to fight.
@@squirrely8418 He doesn't hide his jealousy at all. He straight up tells Nora how he feels about the two of them & how he feels regarding their relationship when they're talking in bed together.
"Are you mad?"
"I dont have the right to be."
Confirming he does have negative feelings but he doesn't shy away from them whilst also acknowledging how important this is for his wife. Hae Sung & Nora also being "meant for" eachother seeing their relationship as doomed is pretty reductive & also why this movie is so great at subverting that trope. Nora closes the book on Hae Sung when she finally lets go after the scene where he leaves. They all get closure & decide to move on. You see them as meant for eachother because of the initial framing & how typical romances are played out in movies but that's not how real life and real people work. Which again, is why this film is so great.
This Director is a future Korean Master filmmaker. First movie, mostly autobiographic, isa masterpiece.
check out park chan wook too. It's sad nowadays people know him just him from " Oldboy " which is a masterpiece but he has more great movies, equally great
When Hae Sung called Nora one last time, he also knew that that was the last time he was going to see her. The flashback made me cry instantly. You could see that both of them wanted to go back in time - to be 12 year olds again. The ending was really sad and I wish it ended differently.
How could it have ended differently?
@@twoonthewallNora divorced Arthur and fly to Korea💀
@@renzrenzrenzrenzrenz exactly! All these women looking for a happy ending are in a fantasy world. The whole idea of meeting when Nora was now married to Arthur was so wrong. She betrayed her husband and disrespected him and their marraige. The correct responce should have been i don't want to have any thing to do with you I'm a married woman.
The ending was very realistic, I think. I would have done the same thing if I were Nora. Hae Sung is a fantasy/wonderful memory, Arthur reality. I just didn‘t expect that he came to see Nora to say good-bye especially when he had just broken up with his girlfriend before he went to New York. I thought he wanted to see the possibilities for them. But I think they both needed either closure or a new beginning for them. Closure was just the most logical step because they both have their „new/current“ lives.
@@riaconradt2554 nothing about this is realistic, its a daydream, a fantasy. Its the kind of thing your mind wanders to when your taking your time faling asleep, the male version is daydreaming about becoming a sports champion or saving the day in a bank robbery.
Underlying the morality of the movie is selfish choice and the consequences.
Sometimes, no matter how many times you say farewell, it will never be a final closure
Such an incredible debut film! I can't wait to see what she does next. :)
The movie needed to end the way it is. Romantic relationships in Hollywood have always been portrayed as “soulmates over everything” not withstanding fidelity. Thinking about what ifs is the reason why people go back on their commitments and turn unhappy. When you commit, you have “inyeon” with the person you chose to commit as much as “inyeon” with the other person you thought as your soulmate or your second love. People are not robots. Their actions will determine their consequences. Relatable, well made movie.
Like Forces of Nature ending
A beautiful movie. Thank you for producing this very moving story that is accompanied by great backdrops of Seoul, South Korea, and New York City,.
I have yet to find the strength to finish this film because of how relatable it is.
As someone who went through a similar situation (and with only 20 years not the 24 the characters had), it has actually become a cathartic experience for me. I do recommend you give it a watch if you've lived through something similar.
Knowing that this is based off the director’s life and hearing her voice break at the end tells a lot.
Just watched it and gonna watch it again soon. Very beautiful and slow and gentle. I very much enjoyed it but I did feel rather sad at the end even though I understood why it ended the way it did.
I cried so hard bc it’s reality for many people.
That’s so amazing so well thought out
Can anyone explain to me why he spent 12 years looking for his true love and then went to China instead of New York?
a truly beautiful film
IMHO, she always run away from him because she realized he's not strong enough to fight for their love, when they started to talk again, she recommended him to watch "Eternal Sunshine of a spotless mind", but he doesn't understand that she was trying to open up his eyes, because he decided to go to China instead of New York. She realized, their love was impossible because of him then he had a relationship but didn't fight for that girl and when Norah asked him why he didn't do it, he expressed he is too poor, all the time he's avoiding to fight for love. She realized it and decided to stay with his husband. However, she loved him. That's why she cries like a baby at the end. And this time someone cares about her tears, his lovely husband. It was good for both to say goodbye.
I hadn't seen it that way. Thanks for sharing your perspective
Yeah, thats another way to look at it, it seems like both were just the right match but never at the right time as both had other priorities such as family, career, school, etc
Korean culture the eldest Son takes care of their parents, it’s not easy to follow a girl when both your parents depend on you. It’s not about fighting for your girl is about both parties fighting for each other, she wasn’t willing to give up her career for him.
So simple on the surface but such genius, intricate storytelling. In Hollywood, they've left this kinda storytelling awhile ago. I can see it now... "Past Lives 2: The Return of Haesung" or a remake with completely different actors in 10 years. 😮💨
Just watch Before trilogy then
The second movie has the same premise of Past Lives and more enjoyable as well
I kind of hope not.
Better not to risk it.
Else, “Past Lives : too fast, too furious” , with Vin Diesel as a new interloping character.
It’s garbage wmaf propaganda flim where asian men gets cucked lol
And indian film 96( 2018) is same plot story
If this movie was American, it would be with 15 more useless characters and a lot of sex scenes and pointless fights
This was an incredible film
Absolutely loved this movie so much. One of my favourites now. Cried like a baby.
If we all think about 8000 lives before even seeing each other, passing across the street, we would probably value each other more even as strangers.
I more or less watched was dragged in to watch this movie kicking and screaming. But i was taken in from the very first scene. I totally loved it and the ending wow.
It’s closed. It’s over.
I need to say goodbye to my childhood friend too but he keeps running away from me 💀😭
Yup same
À beautiful film. Well made on every level, wonderful detail and ideas. It made me cry my eyes out.
I can relate to this on so many levels. Sometimes, it's better to leave the past alone--less painful. If you ever lost a friend you loved for whatever reason, it may be better to leave your feelings in the past and try to move on. People change and circumstances change.
Move forward one day at a time and focus on what's in front of you never looking back and never hoping for anything to return from the past, then you'll be truly happy.
great, you added the perfect thing in my library that I am gonna remember always
I am a Romantic I think she was always in love with him but she suppressed it and rationalized it in her statements, that little girl is not me anymore, He was more honest with his feelings and did not suppress them. I think she broke down at the end because she recognized the truth they are soulmates and we’re meant to be together.
Nora is highly ambitious and has an idea what she wants to achieve.
First it was Nobel
Second was Pulitzer
Now she wants a Toni.
She was plucked when she was young, but she did follow her dreams.
The ones who stay at the same place, feel the hole in the space where their friend used to be.
Nora says he is Korean Korean. Meaning stuck in traditional customs.
Her Korean American friends are different .
Not sure they could bridge the gap of 24 years
The movie is not over Celine :(((((( Their story is not over . THERE HAS TO BE A HELLO AFTER THE GOODBYE , PLEEEEEASE
It's true that if you leave.. you lose things. But you also gain things too.
- Na Young's mom
No
Madam, you broke me 😢
They never at any point seems happy to say goodbye. 🤦🏿♂️
Incredible movie!
Thanks Celine
I never got the closure for my previous one and it ended up badly. One day I would like to meet her again for it.
At the end of the movie, when she finally "breaks down" ...I think, her real feelings came out.....and she probably knew who she loved, more...........
Dang and yup
Take a shot Everytime she says "goodbye" in this video
SUCH A GREAT FILM
I try to put on a tough, manly front during most of my waking hours.
but man… that ending shredded me.
Awesome job by the Director and actors. Kudos.
Masterpiece
The movie was perfect. Thoughts and ideas laid out, comes full circle in the end. However, this movie didnt resonate with me as much like it did with everyone, because to me Nora and Hae Sung was straight disrespecting Arthur. 😂😂
5 cm per decond but sadder with no theme song at the end.
Oh my! I was thinking the same and I commented it on another video. It gave me the same vibes. Bittersweet. Leaves you contemplating.
do you know if there is an original video of this?
her movie is a masterpiece!!!!!
really enjoyed it
reminds me of my own first love at 13❤
am i the only one who, when Nora talks to Arthur in bed, thought: oh no, they need to stay together, please
the thing I adore is Arthur too. He is a well-behaved husband. Dude knew everything from the day Hae landed and still never ever scolded or though ill of Hae or his wife. This type of husband is rare in the US and in the West. It's good to see this type portrayed.
That type is worth keeping.
No I am glad it happened that way. I love Nora and Arthur together.
THE BEST MOVIE AND SO AWESOME I JUST WATCHED PAST LIVES SO ITS REALLY A GREAT MO IE I WILL WATCH AGAIN
Oh I am crying
Ahhh i didnt think about it in 3 segments.
I finally just caught the film because it's back in theater since the Oscar nominations came out. This makes.perfect sense on how the film ends. It was so touching
🥺🥺🥺 💔
🥺😭
She was waiting for him to say something and here comes the Uber…..
You Are a Jem ,,, what a picture,,, hat's off
He was just happy to be able to properly say goodbye to his friend… umm I don’t believe that. Surprising to hear that from the writer/ Director. He seemed so heartbroken at the unrequited love and seems to have gone there in hopes that she would choose him.
i like to think it was right for them in another 12 years. arthur was insecure and whiny and eventually i think he wouldn’t be enough for nora.
So beautiful
Story is like the Anime 5 centimeters per second it is so hurtful I don"t want to watch it again it is just soooo sad. 😢
People here praising 'past lives' should watch "96" movie. Latter is a bigger masterpiece than past lives, in terms of closure and what happened between two lovers. The final scene will tear you apart
well no sense watching it now since you basically spoiled the ending
this movie frustrated me so much I hate her, this character so dumbdumbdumbdumbdumbdumb pissed me off so much
tragic ending for hae sung the movie did not do justice for him
This is a very female outlook. Men are not friends with women. They were sweethearts not friends. The 3rd goodbye as adults was sad for everyone. The husband has been disrespected by nora and hey sung has wasted his opportunities for love and his own happiness by not letting his relationship to nota go and move on. For nora the lost Korean life is morned.
À very régressive viewpoint. They were children and had a pure platonic love for each other that never became a physical romance. Love isn't the same as lust. In any case, this is you who cannot be friends with women, but other men are different. There was no disrespect to the husband, he knew that her friend that she loved as a child and lost was coming to see her. Disrespecting him would have been to hide it.
Speak for yourself.
Hi
🫰🏻🫰🏻🫰🏻
There's no door closed in the end...
I agree
too many interpretations in the comments❤
There will be a second part I Guess.The best film I be ever seen❤
this movie is unnecessarily sad and its just not for me.
I think in reality, Nora will feel empty after him leaving and years later she gets a divorce and goes back to Korea to see him and after being with him for months, she realize they both different in many ways. So she goes back to America and just focus on career.
Wrong
Boring movie
it was a blatant self insert by the director, basically to put down the korean guy, she must have had some beef with a past unsuccessful relationship with a Korean guy
What about the disrespect and betrayal of her husband, very sad
she wrote this from her own experience
Nah
Garbage Hollywood wmaf propaganda flim