The Box (2021)

A beautiful masterpiece!

My friend and I watched this in the cinemas, and if it weren't for me being in public, I would've cried from happiness.

It's truely a beautiful film - a healing, soothing and perhaps emotional one. The Box is about facing your fears and taking a leap of faith on what you're suffering from. The acting was really good. Musically, it's incredible and absolutely breathtaking.

Chanyeol perfectly portrays the character he plays and every moment in the movie tugged at my heartstrings. It was just perfect!! I personally relate a lot to his struggles which ultimately deepens my love for this movie. And the chemistry between him and Jo Dal Hwan was really sweet.

Ji Hoon's character development is so precious - how he manages to finally face the world and break out of his box. I like this reference of every individual initially being stuck inside their own box of worries or struggles until they're able to grow and break through it - it's never too late to fight your fears and live freely, basically don't give up and do what makes you happy.

Chanyeol's voice??? SO HEAVENLY! He did an amazing job, I'm so proud of him. The OST is just pure perfection. It makes me cry, especially What a Wonderful World, it's so beautiful, I mean how can I not tear up? And Chanyeol's "youuuu" at 2:38 in A Sky Full of Stars gives me goosebumps holy moly!

I don't know what it is that Korea does, but they just make the best movies (and soundtracks).

The Box has a special place in my heart. It's just a masterpiece, from the music to the actors! I will forever treasure it. I totally recommend giving it a watch, you'll love it!

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This movie warms my heart! Love it!!!

Not only a musical but also an inspirational movie.

The main learning is that don't be afraid of leaving your comfort zone. Every individual have their own struggles and all we need is someone who will believe in us for us to be able to 'BREAK ''THE BOX'''.

Just by watching the trailer I know I will love it.
I honestly watch it because of Chanyeol. But this movie is really worth it. I hope fans and non-fans appreciates this movie the same way I did.

Chanyeol's acting has improved a lot. He doesn't have a lot of acting roles so I didn't expect that much. But he really did very well. This movie really showcased Chanyeol's talents. He showed how he can sing, can play a guitar, piano and drums. Fans know how talented he is but this movie can show non-fans how multitalented Chanyeol is.

Chemistry between Cho dolwan and Chanyeol is also there. Jihoon and Minsu found each other just the right time. They both needed each other to BREAK THEIR BOXES. I also love Nana (blind singer), she tried helping Jihoon but I guess that time Jihoon wasn't ready yet. But that was the start. Jihoon was inspired but still needs a little more push.

I really love this movie. The only thing I hated is that it ended. And it is so short. The Box team did an amazing job.

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break your box

a simple beautiful message done is a pleasingly sweet musical style. everyone has a box, a worry that traps them
also everyone needs atleast 1 person to stay by their side and trust in them and here we got a sweet journey of friendship, food and music

each step was a lesson that ended in the big finally, Min Soo didn't want jihoon to relay on him 100% though ironically I saw the contract termination as a sign of trust and letting him "go" so he can peruse music as a passion not an obligation xD but jihoon could've seen it as abandonment

chanyeol honestly is such an amazing singer, rock, rap, ballad, trot, jazz, he can do it all! the only problem I had was the 1st idol generation hair xD
and maybe the lack of more in depth friendships, and ultimately "love", though I also appreciated how everything wasn't solved just cuz of that, but hints of love would've been cute

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What a truly symbolic musical journey

I like when movies surprise me far better than my expectations, gladly The Box did so in many ways. Some might consider it plain in terms of cinematography, - I found it creative, - it went on a pace as it would if well it was an actual tour. Time awaits for no one and they had 10 gigs to do, the fact that in mostly every few stops they showed the gastronomy of the place and the way its filmed was an aesthetic move to impact the culture and touristic value, as well as the sightseeing thanks to the shots.

However, what truly get to us is how this movie has a plethora of deep meanings with it's hidden message.
It's purpose is to teach us all a lesson that despite carrying our fears and traumas with us and to have them become our safety blanket or in this case our BOX, we do not need to overcome them but perhaps embrace them, accept out flaws and limitations and explore our options. As long as we are willing to work and better ourselves we can achieve anything. Cliché right?

Well, I believe both our main characters are either someone with whom we can relate, or someone we do know in our lives.
MinSoo was once successful, but over the years and reckless decisions made him a man with debt, and a failure to the music industry, left behind to fend for himself. While JiHoon is a young man who carries a deep stage fight, harboring several insecurities from childhood traumas that he never got himself to surpass. Both of them meet in a point of their lives, where they were lost without knowing and needing a guidance to the right path. I find that they balance each other nicely, and have a great development throughout the storyline.

MinSoo made a contract probably thinking he would make the other into a star and yet when he learns that JiHoon is facing a trauma, he does not give up on him but finds a solution, they can go on a tour if they have a box. He therefore creates the safe space JiHoon needs to show off his talent. And for a while that works, until they try to break the habit. It's hard to face our deepest dark fears, and while to some this might sound pathetic, hiding inside a box to avoid being in the spotlight while dreaming of becoming a musician, to many out there it's a big deal and a problem that needs to be acknowledge.
The Box is an analogy as they mention in dialogue, it's JiHoon's safety pin against the world, without it he is bare and without confidence, he panics become of the fear in the back of his mind. But at the same time the Box represents him, just like MinSoo says the debt is a part of him, because everyone who does know him, does know that he has those problems to face.

They way they show the highs and lows, and facing the difficulties along the road, and also the happy times was well executed.
I also liked how JiHoon gave up his all believing MinSoo when no one else would, and I also liked how MinSoo did not gave up on JiHoon in the end, because he saw the broken young man but he also saw the potential in him , to fight for, and so he boosted him up and made him acknowledge the problem by himself, and albeit it seemed like a forced test, it was by letting the younger be at his breaking point and facing himself that he got over his own fear and saw the bright world ahead of him.

It has hidden meaningful and almost poetic messages through the dialogues and scenes. Like the one with NaNa the blind singer at the bar, she had him see a world from a different perspective. It was a insight for us all, if we do close our eyes and listen then we might just see the music but most of all we can FEEL the music.

This is all about breaking our box, throwing away our insecurities, being bold.
Living in fear will makes us dwell on lost possibilities, and regret might just be the most painful feeling we get by that.

It was a journey, a country tour, and a healing ride to see in this movie. From busking in the streets, to join a local festival contest, to even sing for loving couples and the cherry on top on all of this, the Gypsy camp where music is FREE.
Free of labels, freedom of the mind and soul, that it was enough to heal JiHoon on his own personal stage, from his scream of freedom to the powerful chords of his guitar, the frustration of his self-doubts turn into pure enjoyment. As he takes that sole moment to reborn and become a star. It's one step into his self-healing process and te path of musical redemption.

Burning the fragments of the once intact box, means that he is letting go of his trauma and also he does not need that safety pin because music will be it from now on. He will rely on himself, and his talent and not hide away from the world. Burning the past that taught him a valuable lesson of resistance and chasing his dreams.

And when they do travel to their final stop, and he sings in Busan beach, it's where he finally let's go of that veil of insecurity, by taking the dark sunglasses that NaNa had give him to use, and facing the crowd head on. He opens up his range and the possibilities, and that scene where he is playing drums, it's him taking control of his life and future and aiming for the stars.
That smile he gave as he stared into the camera, finally seizing the audience (us from the screen probably) it's the perfect ending, JiHoon finaly embrace his fear and spread his wings and he is ready to soar.

Do keep in mind that ChanYeol is not a vocalist nor is a soloist per se, he is known as the main rapper from EXO, however his charismatic and unique voice for singing makes him perfect for the role of a young striving musician whose talent comes not only from within but also from the pure effort he makes. Both him and DalHwan did a remarkable job with their roles here.

The OST is okay, having ChanYeol singing in English is not quite perfect but it is indeed okay. I mean it is hard singing in English mainly when it's not our own language and the diction tends to be hard to grasp, I think he does manage it and he gets better the more he practices. I do like his Korean songs though, and well what can we say about the main song and quite going along with the title of the movie. Those lyrics speak for itself, of everything that I have mentioned and much more that I lacked to say.

♪"How long has it been?
Maybe I got used to it
Like my old clothes
It's pitch dark around me

I open my eyes to nothing
I take yet another step
I know it won't be easy

But I reach for the faint light
Until I reach the sky
With my wings wide open

Break your box, break away
Break the pressure, burn it away"♪

It's a symbolic movie, it was nicely shot and the actors did their part. The ending credits where they are at the studio and we see JiHoon happy playing and recording, I myself could see also ChanYeol and not only his character there. Really awesome.
For this all, I give this movie a high score. It made me smile, and I can relate to the message they tried to sent. It has a variety of musical genders to appease the general audience, an unique tour pace to go alonge with the ride. I highly recommend this movie.

And either you're a fan of EXO or not, don't be biased by your opinion your lack of it, it's entirely your choice.
But considering what this movie has to offer, it's a loss not pressing the play button and enjoy each and every stage.

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A very inspiring movie!

This way one of the most amazing movies I've seen. The casting was amazing and overall the story itself was unique. As someone who has also been suffering from glossophobia (stage fright) this movie really helped me try my best to give my everything to cure it. Glossophobia is a phobia that many don't take seriously but this movie really shows us the real struggle of the ones suffering from it. The movie inspired me and probably others to try and get over the fear that is stopping is from shining with our brightest talents. Thank you to everyone for realising this movie. And most of all thank you Park Chan-Yeol for, yet again, giving me strength to defeat my fear!

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The slowest 1 hour and 34 minutes of my life

As a person who rarely skips any scene while watching a movie/ drama, I can't describe how frustrating it was for me to continue watching this. It felt like time wasn't moving at all. That's how much boring it was. I decided to watch it because of the tremendous amount of good reviews it received when it first came out but I had no idea how much biased those reviews were.

It had a good plot but the execution of the story was really really really bad. It was flat and boring. Nothing exciting happens here. Rather than a movie it felt like a promotion of Chanyeol's upcoming album or something.

This movie had good actors in it but only good acting can't save a movie...

Since it's a musical, all the songs were pretty good. But to be honest, none of the songs caught my attention.

If you have a lot of free time to waste in your life or if you are willing to watch a movie-length music video instead of a story, go ahead, watch it. Otherwise save your time and watch something else.

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the melodius voice of PCY is everything you need

growing up watching bollywood movies, loaded with dozens of songs, lifts up the mood. when the story is happy feels like dancing to the upbeat songs and when the story is sad sometimes cry with the actors.
also, I think this movie is kind of inspired by singer MARSHMELLOW, who's haven't shown his real face and wears his trademark BOX on his head to cover his face. which has become his unique identity.
a guy aspiring to be a singer but having stage fright is not new, I have seen this so concept before but PCY voice had a hallucinating charm to pull the audience. Ji Hoon grows up and overcomes his stage fright with alcohol was somewhat unbelievable but yeah alcohol sometimes kicks in and gives a whole ocean of courage to do something one hasn't done, so it's taken.
Acting wise PCY didn't impress me where he could have shown the depth of fear struggling from his inner fears mentally which as developed into stage phobia. I had seen him showing diverse expressions but in the movie, he didn't work for me. but then the music part is a genius. when he picks up the guitar and opens his lips is like the God of music is singing himself.
You pick any song in the movie the visuals, music, and lyrics fit perfectly. and am actually a fan of Chanyeol singing more than acting so that part worked for me well.
Bad Guy (Billie Eilish) Cover really overpowers the movie's musical journey and hooks up the audience to what the next piece would be.
Break The Box is healing and motivating song for me now. for its lyrics just reminds me to do better than before nd overcome my fears.
A Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay) cover felt better than the original. this one has gone to my favorite list without a doubt.
Rewatch TBH is a NO for me since I didn't like the movie. But I enjoyed the music immensely so am just going to watch the songs over and over again.

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Good Enough

Korean Music Movie "The Box" has some interesting music choices to offer. The songs vary from rock vibes to classics, so yes, this film has it all. The performances are great and each song is presented in an interesting way, like they wanted to visualize the sound. In that way, the movie did well. The actors and actresses did also their best and all the performances were enjoyable.

As for the story, is pretty simple, realistic in a way because it portrayed real emotions, but it lacked in many ways. So, if you want to watch it for the story, you'll probably be disappointed, as the plot leaves a lot out and it edits most of the action in short rolls, and just when things pick up, the movie ends. However, if you watch it for the music, you'll have fun.

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