Review - Love Untangled: A Romance Without Too Many Twists

Amid teenage insecurities, unruly hair, and young love, Love Untangled (2025) is set in 1998 and follows Park Se-ri (Shin Eun-soo), who constantly battles her naturally curly hair, feeling less attractive than her twin sister, who takes after their mother and was born with straight hair. Because of her lack of confidence in her looks, and after the heartbreak of seeing her crushes move away soon after she confessed her feelings, Park Se-ri tells her friends she will only confess to her high school love once she can “control” her curly hair.

But the arrival of Han Yoon-seok (Gong Myoung) is something she never expected, and with him begins a classic romance, along with a journey that gradually heals her self-esteem.

The film is directed by Namkoong Sun, written by Ji Chun-hee and Wang Doo-ri, with Cha Woo-min playing the popular Kim Hyun. It premiered worldwide on Netflix on August 29, 2025.

Although it is a sweet, lighthearted romance and does not treat Park Se-ri’s struggles with harsh self-deprecation, the fact remains that curly hair has long been frowned upon in South Korean society and still is not fully embraced.

South Korea is known for its rigid beauty standards, which have led many Koreans to undergo cosmetic surgeries, as well as less invasive procedures like chemically straightening curly hair.

The truth is that many Koreans do have curly or wavy hair, but they usually keep it hidden, with most opting for the popular "Korean Magic Straight Perm" or "Japanese Straight Perm" instead of wearing their natural curls. These techniques appeared in the mid-90s and quickly became widespread across South Korea by the early 2000s.

One reason curly-haired Koreans avoid showing their natural texture is the stigma perpetuated by the media. On the rare occasions curly hair is shown, women are portrayed as unprofessional, sloppy, or going through an existential crisis.

Another stereotype links curly hair to ajummas (older, married Korean women). Ajummas are often portrayed with short, permed hair. For many women who had long maintained youthful, straight hair, getting a perm becomes a rite of passage when entering their 40s and 50s.

All these aspects reinforce the idea that curly hair is less desirable.

Despite the beauty standards around hair, Park Se-ri is not portrayed as shy or withdrawn. On the contrary, she is determined, funny, witty, warmhearted, and full of contagious energy. In other words, the film does not focus on self-esteem issues or bullying. Bullying is not even part of the story. This is simply a romance with a touch of self-acceptance.

Another strength of this genre, with its first loves, insecurities, and small gestures, is that it has something sacred: it allows us to rest our minds. In times full of heavy storylines, a film like Love Untangled offers a kind of refuge.

The first point is emotional release. It dives into teenage dilemmas without violence, tragic deaths, or heavy existential crises. It is the kind of entertainment that embraces emotions without overwhelming them, and it reminds us of our own past (or present, depending on age) experiences.

The second is reconnection with our inner selves. Even for those who have long left that stage of life, watching a young and vulnerable protagonist reminds us of how we once were, or how our friends were in youth. It takes us back to that transformative period between childhood and adulthood.

The third is relief from narrative complexity. Instead of juggling multiple intertwined storylines filled with trauma, shocking twists, and dark secrets, Love Untangled chooses to focus on a straightforward emotional arc. This gives the audience space to feel without needing to search for hidden clues or symbols.

The fourth is sweetness without being overly sentimental. There is innocence, but it is not naïve. The flaws are visible, the pain feels real, and the growth is nuanced. This balance makes the romance tender yet believable.

For anyone seeking something light, it is genuinely comforting.

Since nothing is perfect, here is a short list of the film’s flaws, things that could have made the story stronger but do not ruin the overall fun.

Love Untangled does not have an original plot. It does not reinvent the teen romance genre, instead relying on familiar formulas such as love triangles, insecurities about looks, helping the new kid at school, and so on. There is no attempt to reinvent the wheel or add a daring twist.

It also has the typical predictability in key moments. For instance, certain arcs are painfully obvious, like knowing the couple will not be happy until a final test of their love, which you can see coming from a mile away.

Some secondary relationships lack depth. I admit I was a bit disappointed here, since a few side characters remain shallow and underdeveloped. They could have been better used, especially the second comedic couple.

But as mentioned earlier, knowing these limitations in advance will not ruin the experience for anyone watching.

Love Untangled has a simple premise but delivers sensitivity without forcing it. It does not aim to break paradigms, only to share the experience of young love.

For those who want to escape into something light for a couple of hours, it is definitely worth the popcorn. But if you are tired of clichés and romances that bring nothing new to the table, you may want to pick something else from the catalog.

So, are you pressing play on Love Untangled or have you already had enough of this genre?