Movie spotlight
One-sided Love of Princess
Sook-kyung, the youngest tomboy princess, loves playing hide and seek with her same-aged court ladies and is extremely curious about the life outside the palace. An opportunity comes for her on queen mother’s birthday celebration. Princess Sook-kyung gets to explore the outside world with the help of her older sister princesses and falls in love with a Seonggyungwan scholar she meets coincidentally. The variety of character twists in this film which is reminiscent of romantic comedies such as Roman Holiday and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The queen mother with a fancy royal costume but wears glasses because of her poor vision, and the court ladies who protect the princess day and night are usually slow and doze off but have the strength to push against male henchmen. The princes outside the palace walls seem like that of a naïve country girl who eats a rice cake at the marketplace because she thinks it’s free.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman named Yuko harbors a secret, unrequited love for Kenji, her older brother's friend. Kenji, unaware of her feelings, is deeply involved with another woman. Yuko navigates her complex emotions while trying to maintain her composure around Kenji, facing the heartache of her one-sided affection. The story unfolds against the backdrop of changing seasons and the complexities of youthful romance.
Critical Reception
This melodrama was a popular film in Japan during its release, appealing to audiences with its sensitive portrayal of unrequited love. While not a major critical darling internationally, it's remembered for its performances and its exploration of emotional depth.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its subtle emotional performances, particularly from the lead actress.
The film effectively captures the melancholy of a love that cannot be reciprocated.
A classic example of Japanese melodrama from the era.
Google audience: Audience reception information for "One-sided Love of Princess" is not widely available through general Google user reviews.
Fun Fact
The film was part of a wave of popular romantic melodramas in Japanese cinema during the 1960s, often focusing on the complexities of young love and societal expectations.
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