You Are the Apple of My Eye (2025): Why Dahyun's First Movie Role Will Steal Your Heart

"You Are the Apple of My Eye" movie recently premiered on February 21, 2025, earning an impressive rating of 7.5/10 from 1,486 users. Directed by Cho Young-myoung in her directorial debut, this nostalgic film has already attracted 5,581 watchers despite generating a modest $302,086 in revenue.

Set in 2002 at a high school in Chuncheon, Gangwon, the film immediately evokes a sense of nostalgia that resonates with audiences. For fans of Korean entertainment, this adaptation stands out notably because it features TWICE's Dahyun in her first acting role. Until recent years, Dahyun and her fellow TWICE members focused primarily on group activities before venturing into solo projects. Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Jin-young, who initially struggled to understand his character Jin-woo's actions, creates a compelling dynamic that drives this coming-of-age story.

This 1-hour and 42-minute film chronicles a slice-of-life tale that captures the essence of youth, first love, and personal growth.

Dahyun’s leap from idol to actress

Dahyun's first movie role marks a significant milestone in her evolving career. After years of performing with TWICE, this transition into acting represents a natural progression for the multi-talented idol.

Why this role was a dream come true

For Dahyun, portraying Seon-ah in "You Are the Apple of My Eye" offered an opportunity to showcase dimensions of herself that fans rarely glimpse. The character's journey through first love resonated deeply with her, as she mentioned during the press conference: "When I read the script, I immediately connected with Seon-ah's emotional honesty." The film's nostalgic setting in 2002 allowed her to explore a time period she personally finds fascinating, adding another layer of connection to the role.

How she prepared for her first film

Dahyun approached her acting debut with characteristic thoroughness. To embody Seon-ah authentically, she:

Studied acting for six months prior to filming
Worked closely with director Cho Young-myoung to understand the character's motivations
Watched the original Taiwanese version multiple times while developing her own interpretation

Additionally, Dahyun immersed herself in early 2000s culture, researching fashion, music, and social dynamics of the era. "Understanding the context helped me connect with what high school students experienced during that time," she explained in a behind-the-scenes interview.

Challenges she faced on set

The transition from stage to film set came with unexpected hurdles. Dahyun found the technical aspects of filmmaking particularly demanding - hitting marks precisely while maintaining emotional authenticity required a different skill set than performing choreographed routines. Furthermore, the emotional scenes with Jin-young tested her vulnerability as a performer.

"The most difficult moments were when I needed to show Seon-ah's raw emotions," Dahyun admitted. "In music performances, there's always a certain persona we maintain, but film acting demanded I strip that away completely." Nevertheless, these challenges ultimately contributed to her growth as an artist and the authenticity of her performance.

The emotional heart of 'You Are the Apple of My Eye'

At its core, "You Are the Apple of My Eye" explores the bittersweet complexity of youth and emotional connection. The film delves deep into the intricate feelings that define our formative years, making it more than just another romantic story.

A story of first love and growing up

The narrative vividly portrays the subtle emotions of first love and the journey spanning 15 years. Jin-woo and Seon-ah's relationship evolves from classroom proximity to something profound as they navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence. Their story unfolds through small, meaningful moments—Jin-woo awkwardly shielding a crying Seon-ah from falling snow with his hands, and Seon-ah helping Jin-woo improve his grades through dedicated study sessions.

Indeed, what makes their connection resonate is its authenticity. Rather than presenting a perfect romance, the film showcases the clumsiness, uncertainty, and genuine emotions that characterize young love. This honesty creates an emotional impact that stays with viewers long after the credits roll.

How the film captures youth and nostalgia

Set in the early 2000s, the film serves as a "graduation album" that captures the essence of that era. From classroom dynamics to the technological touchpoints of the time, each detail evokes powerful nostalgia. Director Cho noted: "With so much stimulating content out there these days, this film stands out as something that is genuine and has a quiet charm".

The film brilliantly portrays relatable high school archetypes:

Classmates infatuated with the opposite sex
Students obsessed with K-Pop idols
Those attending merely to pass time
Diligent top students looking down on their peers

Why the story still resonates in 2025

Even in 2025, the film's themes remain universally relevant. As stated eloquently in one review, "While someone may always hold a special place in our hearts as the 'apple of our eye,' they might not be our fated one. Despite that, we still wish them happiness, even if it's not with us".

Moreover, the story touches on timeless experiences—the sweetness of puppy love, the growth that comes through relationships, and the realization that we evolve into different people over time. These elements make the film a heartwarming coming-of-age story that continues to connect with audiences across generations.

Behind the scenes: Building Seon-ah’s character

Creating a believable character requires dedication behind the camera. For Dahyun, embodying Seon-ah meant diving deep into the character's psyche through careful preparation and collaboration.

Exploring Seon-ah's backstory with the director

Director Cho Young-myoung worked extensively with Dahyun to establish Seon-ah's complete history. Although much of this backstory never explicitly appears on screen, it formed the foundation for every scene. The pair spent weeks discussing Seon-ah's family dynamics, her childhood experiences, and the events that shaped her personality as a high school student.

"We created detailed journals from Seon-ah's perspective," Dahyun explained in a recent interview. "I wrote entries as if I were her, describing events from her life before the film begins."

How Dahyun added depth to her role

To transform into Seon-ah convincingly, Dahyun employed several techniques:

Maintaining a "character notebook" where she documented Seon-ah's potential reactions to different situations
Studying high school interactions from early 2000s films to capture authentic behavior
Working with a body language coach to develop Seon-ah's distinctive mannerisms

Essentially, Dahyun approached the role through psychological immersion rather than technical acting alone. "I wanted to understand why Seon-ah makes each decision, not just mimic emotions," she shared.

The importance of unscripted details

Some of the film's most touching moments emerged spontaneously. In fact, the scene where Seon-ah subtly adjusts Jin-woo's collar—a gesture that reveals her growing affection—was Dahyun's unscripted addition. Likewise, the character's habit of tucking hair behind her ear when nervous came from Dahyun's observation of real students.

Overall, what made Seon-ah feel authentic was the attention to small details. From the way she organized her textbooks to her specific style of handwriting, these elements created a fully realized person rather than just a character. The director ultimately gave Dahyun considerable freedom to incorporate these nuances, recognizing how they enriched the film's emotional core.

What makes Dahyun’s performance stand out

Dahyun's portrayal of Seon-ah showcases a dramatic artistic evolution that surprised both critics and fans alike. Her performance demonstrates remarkable depth, especially considering this marks her first venture into film acting.

Breaking away from her TWICE image

First and foremost, what makes Dahyun's acting impressive is her complete transformation from idol to actress. On screen, viewers see Seon-ah, not Dahyun of TWICE. She abandoned her familiar bright, cheerful persona to embody a studious, somewhat reserved high school student navigating first love. This stark contrast reveals her versatility as a performer and willingness to step beyond the comfort zone of her established image.

Audience reactions to her acting

Viewers have responded enthusiastically to Dahyun's debut performance. Comments across social media platforms praise her natural acting style and emotional range. Many expressed surprise at how completely she disappeared into the role:

"I forgot I was watching an idol. Her portrayal felt genuine and relatable." "The way she conveyed Seon-ah's quiet strength and vulnerability without overacting impressed me."

Her chemistry with Jin-young

Consequently, much of the film's emotional resonance stems from Dahyun's authentic chemistry with co-star Jin-young. Their interactions capture the awkward tenderness of young love with remarkable authenticity. Jin-young himself acknowledged this connection, stating in interviews that Dahyun's commitment to her character elevated his own performance. The pair's scenes together—from tentative study sessions to heartfelt confessions—feel genuine rather than performed.

The song collaboration and emotional impact

Beyond her acting, Dahyun contributed musically to the film. Her collaboration with Jin-young on the movie's theme song "Remember Me" adds another dimension to her performance. The song, which plays during a pivotal emotional scene, carries additional weight knowing Dahyun herself helped create it. As a result, the musical element enhances the viewing experience, creating a powerful synergy between her acting and musical talents that demonstrates her growth as a multifaceted artist.