Once in Memory: Wish Me Luck – Movie Review

Ryu goes on a camping trip with his friends Bom and Tor. The outdoor location is beautiful, featuring picturesque lakeside scenery. Ryu has visited this campsite to celebrate his birthday for three consecutive years. He wants to meet the heroic man who has saved his life in the past. So far, he has not been able to reunite with this anonymous stranger.

Ryu is surprised to meet Ton, an old friendly acquaintance. Ton has planned to stay at this campsite, but all the rooms are booked. Bom invites him to stay with their group of friends. They split their sleeping arrangement so that Ryu and Ton share the same tent. It was a deliberate decision by Bom and Tor, who know that Ryu harbours a secret crush on Ton.

Ton and Ryu begin hanging out together, strengthening their bond. Ton invites his friend to go swimming with him. However, Ryu doesn't know how to swim. In fact, Ryu drowned at this lake three years ago. He was rescued by a mysterious individual whose identity remained a mystery. Since that incident, Ryu has revisited the campsite hoping to reunite with the hero who saved his life.

Once in Memory: Wish Me Luck takes place in a lakeside location with a picturesque view. The cinematography showcases beautiful scenery, from the lush greenery to the serene waters. The peaceful surroundings put the viewers in a relaxing mood. Many scenes carry a cozy vibe, like when the characters enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. Once in Memory: Wish Me Luck successfully creates a calm, laidback atmosphere for its gentle love story.

This movie features a blissful BL romance. When the story begins, the protagonist, Ryu, has a noticeable crush on his love interest, Ton. His feelings deepen as they spend alone time together, including various flirtatious exchanges. Their relationship moments highlight a growing attraction between the couple. Each scene builds upon the sexual tension until it reaches a memorable climax in the film's final stretch. The leads go on a pleasant romantic journey, even if the narrative can be slightly slow sometimes.

Once in Memory: Wish Me Luck lacks compelling protagonists. We barely know anything about Ryu and Ton other than surface-level information. They have generic personalities, vague backstories, and little distinctiveness. We don't even know how they met each other before this camping trip. There are too many missing details, which prevent the viewers from understanding the characters better. As a result, I cannot connect with their thoughts or emotions. The thin characterizations may be the biggest disappointment in Once in Memory: Wish Me Luck.

The acting seems okay, but there aren't many talking points to their unremarkable performances. Both leads portray their roles straightforwardly, not displaying highs or lows. There's a lack of chemistry between the actors, which diminishes the impact of the romance. Individually, they are fine. Together, they don't share a strong rapport. With that said, I'm intrigued by Ryu's performer (Natthew). He shows a bit of a spark on camera, exhibiting sensitivity and softness. I would like to see him in another BL project that can bring out more of his potential.

Once in Memory: Wish Me Luck has a happy ending for the couple. However, Ton makes several admissions that lower my opinion of him. His character comes across as dishonest, and I feel hoodwinked by some of his actions. Call me cynical, but I suspect he made up his story just to get laid. Nonetheless, most viewers will find the conclusion sweet and sentimental, even if it's a little cheesy. Once in Memory: Wish Me Luck offers a cohesive romance for a thirty-minute film, yet the story isn't too exciting. Overall, this mediocre movie falls in the middle of the pack.