After receiving a call from his ex-girlfriend confirming that she is going to get married, Hyeon-woo lefts Seoul and his mother behind and moves to the countryside with the hope that he could start everything from the beginning. There, he starts working as music teacher for the music band of the middle school of Dongye which hasn't won a competition in years. Furthermore the music program of the school is in danger of disappearance if they don't do well in this year tournament.
Despite what could it seems, the movie doesn't focus on the music tournament, but in the personal life of Hyeon-woo and his relations with his new neighbours.
Like happens in every movie he stars in, one of the best things of the movie is Min-sik Choi's performances (for me, the best korean actor and one of the best worldwide) though this time he plays a different role we are accustomed to. Also the music is notable (somebody knows if Min-sik Choi himself plays the trumpet and the saxophone?). On the other hand, "when spring comes" suffers the most extended defect in todays korean cinema, that is to say, the almost obligatory necessity to run all their movies over the two hours.
To sum up, this is a very good drama, that should please people who likes dramas like "christmas in august" or "one fine spring day" (indeed the director worked in both films)
PD. For some inexplicable reason, this movie seems to be very unknown, even to the Asian movies fan people, so don't miss it.
