Poong Woon Ho was a fictional character in the Netflix original movie 20th Century Girl, a romantic drama film directed and written by Bang Woo-ri. The movie follows Na Bo-ra, a teenager who promises to collect information about her best friend’s crush. However, Bo-ra soon finds herself swept into a love story of her own with Poong Woon Ho, a new student who joins her school. The movie ends on a bittersweet note with the death of Woon Ho, leaving the viewers heartbroken and curious about his fate. In this article, we will explore the possible cause of Poong Woon Ho’s death and the impact it had on Bo-ra and the audience.
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How Did Poong Woon Ho Die?
The movie does not explicitly state the cause of Woon Ho’s death, but it leaves behind some clues that can help us infer what happened to him. According to The Cinemaholic, Woon Ho’s younger brother Joseph mentions his lamentation at Woon Ho traveling to Korea to meet Bo-ra. Therefore, it is implied that Woon Ho died while traveling to Korea, presumably in an accident.
Woon Ho had moved to New Zealand with his mother and brother after his parents’ divorce. He maintained his long-distance relationship with Bo-ra through emails and phone calls. He planned to attend the same college as Bo-ra in Seoul and reunite with her after years of separation. However, he suddenly stopped contacting her after celebrating New Year’s Eve of 2000. Bo-ra was devastated and clueless about his disappearance until she received a VHS tape and a letter from Joseph 15 years later.
The VHS tape contained memories of Bo-ra and Woon Ho’s school days and their romance. It also included Woon Ho’s final message to Bo-ra, where he confessed his love for her and revealed that he would soon be coming to Korea to see her. However, he never made it to Korea and tragically passed away before meeting Bo-ra again.
Why Did Poong Woon Ho’s Death Affect Bo-ra and the Audience?
Poong Woon Ho’s death was a shocking and heartbreaking twist in the movie that left Bo-ra and the audience in tears. Bo-ra had loved Woon Ho since they were teenagers, but she had sacrificed their relationship for the sake of her best friend Yeon-du, who also had a crush on him. She only reunited with him at the train station before he left for New Zealand, where he promised to stay in touch with her.
Bo-ra waited for him for years, hoping to see him again and continue their love story. She never gave up on him even when he stopped contacting her. She kept his letters, photos, and gifts as precious reminders of their time together. She was shattered when she learned that he had died without saying goodbye to her. She realized that she had lost him forever and that she could never tell him how much she loved him.
The audience also felt the pain of Bo-ra and Woon Ho’s tragic love story. They had witnessed their sweet and innocent romance blossom in the 1990s, when they shared their dreams, passions, and secrets. They had rooted for them to overcome their obstacles and be together. They had hoped for them to have a happy ending after all their struggles. They were crushed when they found out that their love story was cut short by fate and that they never got the chance to grow old together.
What Is the Message of Poong Woon Ho’s Death?
Poong Woon Ho’s death may seem like a cruel and unfair ending for his character and his relationship with Bo-ra, but it also conveys a powerful message about life and love. According to OtakuKart, Poong Woon Ho’s death teaches us that life is unpredictable and fragile, and that we should cherish every moment we have with our loved ones. We never know when we might lose them or when we might say our last words to them. We should not take them for granted or let our pride or fear get in the way of expressing our feelings.
Poong Woon Ho’s death also shows us that love is eternal and transcends time and space. Even though he died, his love for Bo-ra remained alive in her heart and in his memories. He left behind a legacy of love that inspired Bo-ra to live her life fully and pursue her dreams. He also touched the hearts of the audience with his sincerity and kindness. His love for Bo-ra was not bound by distance or death, but by their souls.
Conclusion
Poong Woon Ho was a beloved character in 20th Century Girl who met a tragic end while traveling to Korea to meet his girlfriend Bo-ra. His death was not explicitly explained in the movie, but it was implied that he died in an accident. His death affected Bo-ra and the audience deeply, as they had witnessed his beautiful and pure love story with Bo-ra. His death also delivered a message about the unpredictability of life and the eternity of love. Poong Woon Ho may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
