20th Century Girl - Characters & Cast

Initially, her sole motivation is to gather information about Baek Hyun-jin for her best friend, Yeon-du. This later shifts to navigating her own burgeoning feelings for Poong Woon-ho while trying not to betray her friend's trust.

Bo-ra begins as a fiercely loyal friend, willing to put her best friend's happiness above all else. Her journey is one of awakening, as she unexpectedly discovers her own first love. She evolves from a proxy observer to the protagonist of her own romance, learning to navigate the complex emotions of love, guilt, and loyalty. Her arc culminates in a bittersweet adulthood where she must reconcile the beautiful memory of her first love with its tragic end, finding a way to cherish the past without being permanently trapped by it.

His primary motivation becomes his love for Bo-ra. He is driven by a desire to connect with her, share his world (through his camera), and eventually return to her from New Zealand.

Woon-ho starts as a quiet, kind, and somewhat mysterious figure. Through his interactions with Bo-ra and his passion for filmmaking, his gentle and deeply caring nature is revealed. He falls for Bo-ra's vibrant personality but is caught in the misunderstanding involving his friend. His arc is one of quiet devotion and unspoken feelings, which he ultimately confesses before his departure. Tragically, his story ends off-screen, turning him into a poignant memory and the timeless "20th Century Boy" for Bo-ra.

At first, he is motivated by typical teenage interests, but his motivation shifts to winning Bo-ra's affection. When he realizes her heart lies elsewhere, his motivation becomes supporting his friends' happiness.

Hyun-jin is initially perceived as the classic popular, slightly arrogant high school boy, the target of Bo-ra's investigation. However, his character develops as he shows a softer, more genuine side, eventually falling for Bo-ra's unique personality himself. His arc is about moving from the object of a crush to a supportive friend, ultimately helping Bo-ra and Woon-ho connect and valuing their friendships over his own romantic feelings.

Her initial motivation is her crush on the boy she believes is Baek Hyun-jin. This later changes to a desire to see her best friend, Bo-ra, be happy, even if it means giving up on her own crush.

Yeon-du serves as the catalyst for the entire plot. She begins as the lovestruck friend with a serious heart condition, whose request sets everything in motion. Upon her return, she inadvertently creates the central conflict by revealing the mistaken identity. Her arc is one of maturity; she recognizes the depth of Bo-ra's feelings and prioritizes their friendship above her own crush, ultimately encouraging Bo-ra to pursue her love. Her character demonstrates that true friendship involves sacrifice and selflessness.