Secret: A Hidden Score (2024) Review: A Japanese Romance Inspired by Music, Memory, and Fate

 

Secret: A Hidden Score (Ienai Himitsu) | 2024 | 1h 55m
Genre: Drama / Fantasy / Romance | Country: Japan
Director: Hayato Kawai | Writer: Saya Matsuda
Cast: Taiga Kyômoto, Kotone Furukawa, Mayu Yokota
IMDb: 6.9
My Rate: 9/10

Minato decides to stop playing the piano after a painful experience leaves him traumatized, but meeting Yukino brings new hope into his life—until fate begins to pull them apart.

 

Synopsis of Secret: A Hidden Score

Minato (Taiga Kyômoto) returns to Japan after experiencing a traumatic incident while studying at a university in England. He continues his studies at the same school as his childhood friend, Hikari (Mayu Yokota).

While exploring the area with Hikari, Minato visits an old building that was once used as a piano practice space. There, he hears a beautiful piece of music that he does not recognize.

Inside, he meets Yukino (Kotone Furukawa), a mysterious woman who has just finished playing the piano. Their meeting becomes the beginning of a relationship that will change both of their lives.

Minato later discovers that Yukino is also a student at the same school. His curiosity about her gradually turns into affection, and their feelings begin to grow. They often meet at a bench in the garden near the old building, which becomes their special place.

One day, Yukino witnesses Minato competing in a piano competition against another student. It is then that she realizes how deeply traumatized he has become and how much fear he now associates with playing the piano.

Yukino tries to help Minato rediscover the happiness he once found in music. As they spend more time together, Minato slowly begins to heal.

But an unexpected event changes everything. A misunderstanding occurs when Yukino sees Minato with Hikari. Yukino suddenly disappears, leaving Minato confused. Even when he goes to her home to look for answers, he cannot resolve what has happened.

Will their love find its way back?

 

Review of Secret: A Hidden Score

Secret: A Hidden Score is a Japanese adaptation of the 2007 Taiwanese film Secret. While many remakes attempt to closely follow the original, this film takes a different approach. The screenwriter introduces a different perspective and adds new ideas, creating a story that is similar to the original but not exactly the same.

In some ways, these changes strengthen the story and even address several aspects that felt less complete in the original film.

The biggest difference can be seen in Minato's background. In this version, his return to Japan is connected to the trauma he experienced, which becomes an important part of his character. He also begins the story wanting to stop playing the piano.

This is very different from the male lead in the original film, who has a strong love for the piano and is capable of displaying his talent during a competition. In this adaptation, Minato actually loses the competition, reinforcing the idea that music has become something painful for him rather than something he naturally enjoys.

The background of Minato's parents is also changed. His father is no longer a lecturer but a café owner, while his mother is often absent because of her busy life. This changes the relationship between Yukino and Minato's family as well.

Because of these substantial changes, I would almost describe the film as being inspired by the original rather than simply remade from it. The director seems to follow an approach of observing, imitating, and modifying—creating something familiar while still giving it its own identity.

Apart from the comparison with the original, the film itself is enjoyable. The storyline is presented systematically and logically, while the chemistry between the actors is handled well.

Hikari's character is especially interesting. By making her Minato's childhood friend, the film allows viewers to understand her feelings of affection and jealousy, even though she is given limited screen time. Her emotional position becomes easier to understand because of their shared history.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest attractions of the original film is not recreated with the same impact: the piano performances.

Although the music is still enjoyable, the level of difficulty and visual excitement feels less impressive compared with the original. The titular "secret" piece is also a softer, more melancholic composition, which does not create the same climactic energy that the original's music brought to its most important moments.

It is also worth noting that the piano performances were not actually performed by the actors themselves, which slightly reduces the sense of authenticity in those sequences.

Still, the film retains several memorable scenes from the original. The conversation between Minato and Yukino about Chopin, love, and his lover is one example. Their dance together at the party is another.

These moments are not included simply for nostalgia. They become meaningful parts of this adaptation because they connect directly to the central romance and later function as a bridge toward the final twist.

Another strength is that the story is presented from the female lead's perspective. This gives viewers the opportunity to understand the story from both sides rather than experiencing everything only through Minato's eyes.

The ending also improves the timeline and makes certain elements feel more relevant and logical. Despite knowing where the story is ultimately heading, the audience can still feel the romance and sadness that remain between the characters.

Overall, although Secret: A Hidden Score differs considerably from the original, it offers a beautiful and memorable interpretation in its own way. It carries the emotional qualities often found in Japanese romance films while adding its own perspective.

The performances are also very good, making this a film that I would happily return to for another viewing.

 
Memorable Scene

Yukino invites Minato to play the piano with her when they visit his family's café.

At first, Minato believes that he no longer finds any joy in playing. But as he plays alongside Yukino, something inside him begins to return. The happiness and passion that had been buried beneath his trauma slowly reappear.

The scene captures the warmth between the two characters beautifully. Their happiness is visible in their expressions, while the lighting adds another layer of meaning to the moment.

 
Memorable Dialogue

"If we are destined to meet, we will meet."

 
Ending

Sad Ending
 
Recommendation

Must Watch

(Aluna Uwie)