"The Midnight Sun": A Music Romance That Divides Viewers
The Midnight Sun is a Korean remake of the 2007 Japanese film with the same name, telling the deeply emotional story of a young woman named Miso (played by Jung Ji-so), who suffers from a rare genetic condition called xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). This condition makes her skin extremely sensitive to sunlight, forcing her to live a life after dark. In the movie, she falls in love with Min-jun (played by Cha Hak-yeon), a young man selling fruit out of his truck. Their unlikely romance blooms under the stars.
The film blends music and romance with the bittersweet reality of life with XP. What makes this Korean version stand out is its modern take—integrating indie music trends, young adult sensibilities, and Korean cultural elements to create a story that tries to balance authenticity and emotion.
Hope or Harm? Divided Reactions
Why Viewers Are Moved
The Midnight Sun has been appreciated for bringing attention to XP, an extremely rare condition many people have never heard of. By placing this illness at the narrative’s heart, the film educates and humanizes those affected by XP. Viewers are pulled into Miso’s secluded world, where even a stray beam of sunlight could be dangerous, and are touched by how she still finds joy in music and love.
The soundtrack, crafted with a moody indie aesthetic, supports the atmosphere well. The film doesn’t bombard you with ballads; instead, it softly layers songs that reflect the characters' emotions without overpowering their experiences. That subtlety has worked for audiences seeking authenticity rather than melodrama. Music becomes Miso’s way to speak what she cannot say in public daylight.
Another highlight is the successful localization of the original story. The director doesn’t just recycle the plot—he infuses the setting with Korean warmth, from late-night street scenes to understated emotional expressions. That cultural reimagining makes the film familiar yet new.
Concerns: Is It Too Sentimental?
That said, not everyone is won over. Some critics argue that the movie leans too heavily on its emotional elements, potentially trivializing the reality of living with XP. By focusing on a tear-jerker romance, the film risks reducing a complex medical condition to a dramatic plot device.
There’s also debate about the soundtrack. While some appreciated the indie flavor, others expected more from a film billed as a "music romance." Some reviewers noted that despite its title, the film lacks standout songs that linger after the credits roll.
Furthermore, fans of the original Japanese movie may find the remake less impactful. The plot remains largely unchanged, raising questions about whether a remake was necessary in the first place. For some, the update didn’t offer enough emotional depth or narrative innovation to warrant revisiting the story.
Could It Have Been Smarter?
The film’s main strength—its sentimental approach—is also where it falters. While the romance and coming-of-age themes work to stir hearts, the depiction of XP is often simplified. There's very little screen time devoted to how patients actually manage the disease or what social structures fail them. This could unintentionally lead viewers to underestimate the seriousness of XP.
A stronger script might have interwoven more information about the disease itself—how it affects children, what healthcare options exist, and how it impacts families. Not every film has to be a documentary, but nuance matters in stories about real-world struggles. Deepening the character’s medical and emotional reality would have added resonance.
So, Did It Work?
In the end, The Midnight Sun walks a fine line. It uses love and music to soften a hard truth—but perhaps at the cost of full realism. It might not push the musical boundaries some hoped for, nor does it fully capture the complex world of those living with XP.
Still, it succeeds in making viewers care. For many, the chemistry between Jung Ji-so and Cha Hak-yeon is enough to carry the story. Their quiet moments—a hand touched in the dark, a shared song—ring true. And for a romantic drama targeting young adults, that may be more than enough.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a tearjerker love story with a unique twist and some warm musical moments, The Midnight Sun will likely hit the mark. But for those seeking a raw exploration of rare diseases or groundbreaking musical storytelling, it may feel a bit too polished or safe.
Either way, the film opens doors—to conversation, to compassion, and maybe even to curious Google searches about XP. And in a world too often lit by harsh daylight, that gentle kind of night-time awareness might be just what we need.
