Easily could be mistaken for some typical super Asian idol clique movie. This movie deserves to be up there with the other Hollywood romantic flicks. Interesting plot and idea, it might require some peoples to re-watch it a couple more times to fully grasp the ending. But that is also what makes this movie great. Apart from the acting of the main lead, everything else is impressive, the settings and especially the soundtracks, they are the best. This is neither the typical Chinese romantic movies, nor the typical Hollywood chick flicks.It is a must watch in my opinion and one of the best movies i have seen.

When this romantic movie was released for the first time in Korea, there wasn't big media hype. However, it became famous gradually through word-of-mouth so that it was shown again a few months after it went off the air. Also it pulled down big amount of money. Many reviewers said, 'If you miss this movie, it would be one of the goofiest things you've done throughout your life as a movie-goer.' I found it true for myself after watching it.To cut to the chase, it's a romantic movie. However if you expect just a bog standard chick flick, it would be pretty different from what you've expected because it doesn't have only sweet love story and humor, but also the touching plot, unpredictable fantasy, and even a twist. Also when it comes to its music, couldn't be better! It's been considered as one of the movies which have the best music with 'August Rush' and 'The Pianist'. Some commercials were takeoffs on its stunning piano performance scenes.Thus it would make people who like romantic stories and sweet music be glued in front of the screen, but I'm not sure in the case of people who anticipate cutting edge special effects, spectacle and action scenes. The story goes pretty slow in the first-half part and some graphic effects at the last part is sort of cheesy (It was awarded the prize for visual effects, though). Nevertheless, I still want to recommend it strongly to even these people. At least, I'm not afraid it'll let them down. I can rattle on for hours about the reasons followed by.First, let's get down to characters. Main characters are Jay (Jay Chou) and Rain (Kwai Lunmei). The two players seemed to have chemistry. Jay Chou is already famous as a good singer and an actor in East Asia. He played lots of roles in this movie. He starred in it as a main character who had a talent for piano. Also the story was based on his first love. Moreover it was his debut movie as a director. He was a composer of this O.S.T as well. He'd studied piano until high school, so he could make amazing scenes in which he played the piano by himself. His calm and gentle appearance went well with the sweet dialog.Rain is a mysterious girl in the same piano department with Jay. She has innocent looks that could make many guys remind of their first love. Kwai Lunmei played the role of the girl, which I think is the most difficult role to express the character's complicated emotion without a flaw. Plus, the quite cheerful supporting actors add zest to the movie.The story takes place at one arts high school in Taiwan. It seems to be the late 20th century or the early 21th century. One day, Jay(Jay Chou), who has just transferred this school, follows the unknown tune from the old piano practice room. He tracks down one lovely girl who is playing the piano there. They have good feelings toward each other right from the word 'go', and they fall in love with each other gradually. However, she sometimes disappears, saying 'It's a secret.' Next? I don't want to spoil your pleasure. All that I can say is that the director hid some special factors, such as fantasy and dramatic reversals in the last part and locked down the cover good and tight until the climax. Actually, the first part seems to have something in common with other romantic movies. However, the ending part will lead you to the unknown world.It's no exaggeration to say that its background music is another main character. Even if you hate soft music, once you try to listen to its music, it would begin to wear down your defenses. It won't let your ears close even for a minute. Especially, the scene, called 'Piano Battle' between Jay and the talented student at the school, is considered to be the killer part of the movie. Jay copied it correctly by ear right after the talented boy played one piece. This was how the battle went. They played three pieces each, and two of them were arranged Chopin's works. I bet over ninety percent of people, who watch it, would find themselves searching for the video clip of this scene on the Internet afterward. I even signed up for the piano institute right after watching it, and mastered Chopin's Impromptu.The cinematography also pulled its weight. It tried to play down its involvement in the story. I thought first it was nothing to write home about, but I realized it helped me to concentrate on the story, not on less important things. I don't mean it was lousy. The subdued lighting matched perfectly with the atmosphere. Also, certain scenes were shot dynamically. While two boys were having the piano battle in particular, the camera chased their alive and dynamic performances very effectively.Are you still hesitating to watch it? Well, I'm a girl in twenties who loves romantic comedy and classical music. This movie which has all these things was beyond amazing to me. I know arts can't be judged if one is better or worse than another. However, a lot of film festivals acknowledged 'Secret' through giving it many awards. It means that many people thought it was very worth watching.Also one experience sometimes changes people's tastes by accident. There might be a chance 'Secret' could be this experience to somebody. Shake off your prejudice and just expose yourself to the variety of arts. I hope my review change your mind. Lovely music, striking scenery, interesting stories...'Secret', which was made out of this, will stimulate your sensibility. It's time to hunker down and dive into the romantic world!

Although I only watched it on Youtube...I loved the movie, I don't know why there are those who says Jay can't act, I say he can... I loved this movie. This is the only 2nd movie i have seen of Jay's, and I am a huge fan. I love his music, and his voice is so beautiful. As for his acting, it's rather good... I Love Love stories, and though this is two high school kids, I still love the fact that love has no boundaries, and can travel thru time. There is a similar American movie which starred Christopher Reeves (*aka* superman) and Jane Seymore (*aka* Dr. Quinn, Medicine woman) called somewhere in time, where reeves' character is obsessed with this woman from the past, and goes back to save her...It too is a sad ending, unfortunately, he comes back to the future, cuz he stuck a present day penny in his pocket which forwards him back to the future, and he couldn't' go back to see her...sad cuz he dies only to be reunited with her in death...Glad these two didn't die...Jay is so amazing with the piano. He has so much passion for music, it's a wonder he is so natural for this character that he creates from himself. I say beautifully done, I did have to get a box of tissues...Poor Rain when she thought Sky and Jay were together when she came back... So glad they got together ...They are so good together...I definitely have to add this to my collection now, and now I am a huge Jay Chou fan...and gotta get more of his music and movies!!!

At his debut as a movie director ,Jay Chou has showed us what "perfect"is,just like what he's always bringing to us in his extraordinary pop music.As the hottest pop star in China,all the time Jay Chou is suffering all kinds of criticism,even virulent personal attack. However,he never gives in facing the rumors and never gives up pursuing his dreams ,including creating music and movies of his own,some of which has come true.Jay has a biggest target that he wishes to make Chinese pop music world-famous before he's 30 .No matter whether the target can be reached,he's the best,which is the most important.