I like when movies surprise me far better than my expectations, gladly The Box did so in many ways. Some might consider it plain in terms of cinematography, - I found it creative, - it went on a pace as it would if well it was an actual tour. Time awaits for no one and they had 10 gigs to do, the fact that in mostly every few stops they showed the gastronomy of the place and the way its filmed was an aesthetic move to impact the culture and touristic value, as well as the sightseeing thanks to the shots.

However, what truly get to us is how this movie has a plethora of deep meanings with it's hidden message.
It's purpose is to teach us all a lesson that despite carrying our fears and traumas with us and to have them become our safety blanket or in this case our BOX, we do not need to overcome them but perhaps embrace them, accept out flaws and limitations and explore our options. As long as we are willing to work and better ourselves we can achieve anything. Cliché right?

Well, I believe both our main characters are either someone with whom we can relate, or someone we do know in our lives.
MinSoo was once successful, but over the years and reckless decisions made him a man with debt, and a failure to the music industry, left behind to fend for himself. While JiHoon is a young man who carries a deep stage fight, harboring several insecurities from childhood traumas that he never got himself to surpass. Both of them meet in a point of their lives, where they were lost without knowing and needing a guidance to the right path. I find that they balance each other nicely, and have a great development throughout the storyline.

MinSoo made a contract probably thinking he would make the other into a star and yet when he learns that JiHoon is facing a trauma, he does not give up on him but finds a solution, they can go on a tour if they have a box. He therefore creates the safe space JiHoon needs to show off his talent. And for a while that works, until they try to break the habit. It's hard to face our deepest dark fears, and while to some this might sound pathetic, hiding inside a box to avoid being in the spotlight while dreaming of becoming a musician, to many out there it's a big deal and a problem that needs to be acknowledge.
The Box is an analogy as they mention in dialogue, it's JiHoon's safety pin against the world, without it he is bare and without confidence, he panics become of the fear in the back of his mind. But at the same time the Box represents him, just like MinSoo says the debt is a part of him, because everyone who does know him, does know that he has those problems to face.

They way they show the highs and lows, and facing the difficulties along the road, and also the happy times was well executed.
I also liked how JiHoon gave up his all believing MinSoo when no one else would, and I also liked how MinSoo did not gave up on JiHoon in the end, because he saw the broken young man but he also saw the potential in him , to fight for, and so he boosted him up and made him acknowledge the problem by himself, and albeit it seemed like a forced test, it was by letting the younger be at his breaking point and facing himself that he got over his own fear and saw the bright world ahead of him.

It has hidden meaningful and almost poetic messages through the dialogues and scenes. Like the one with NaNa the blind singer at the bar, she had him see a world from a different perspective. It was a insight for us all, if we do close our eyes and listen then we might just see the music but most of all we can FEEL the music.

This is all about breaking our box, throwing away our insecurities, being bold.
Living in fear will makes us dwell on lost possibilities, and regret might just be the most painful feeling we get by that.

It was a journey, a country tour, and a healing ride to see in this movie. From busking in the streets, to join a local festival contest, to even sing for loving couples and the cherry on top on all of this, the Gypsy camp where music is FREE.
Free of labels, freedom of the mind and soul, that it was enough to heal JiHoon on his own personal stage, from his scream of freedom to the powerful chords of his guitar, the frustration of his self-doubts turn into pure enjoyment. As he takes that sole moment to reborn and become a star. It's one step into his self-healing process and te path of musical redemption.

Burning the fragments of the once intact box, means that he is letting go of his trauma and also he does not need that safety pin because music will be it from now on. He will rely on himself, and his talent and not hide away from the world. Burning the past that taught him a valuable lesson of resistance and chasing his dreams.

And when they do travel to their final stop, and he sings in Busan beach, it's where he finally let's go of that veil of insecurity, by taking the dark sunglasses that NaNa had give him to use, and facing the crowd head on. He opens up his range and the possibilities, and that scene where he is playing drums, it's him taking control of his life and future and aiming for the stars.
That smile he gave as he stared into the camera, finally seizing the audience (us from the screen probably) it's the perfect ending, JiHoon finaly embrace his fear and spread his wings and he is ready to soar.

Do keep in mind that ChanYeol is not a vocalist nor is a soloist per se, he is known as the main rapper from EXO, however his charismatic and unique voice for singing makes him perfect for the role of a young striving musician whose talent comes not only from within but also from the pure effort he makes. Both him and DalHwan did a remarkable job with their roles here.

The OST is okay, having ChanYeol singing in English is not quite perfect but it is indeed okay. I mean it is hard singing in English mainly when it's not our own language and the diction tends to be hard to grasp, I think he does manage it and he gets better the more he practices. I do like his Korean songs though, and well what can we say about the main song and quite going along with the title of the movie. Those lyrics speak for itself, of everything that I have mentioned and much more that I lacked to say.

♪"How long has it been?
Maybe I got used to it
Like my old clothes
It's pitch dark around me

I open my eyes to nothing
I take yet another step
I know it won't be easy

But I reach for the faint light
Until I reach the sky
With my wings wide open

Break your box, break away
Break the pressure, burn it away"♪

It's a symbolic movie, it was nicely shot and the actors did their part. The ending credits where they are at the studio and we see JiHoon happy playing and recording, I myself could see also ChanYeol and not only his character there. Really awesome.
For this all, I give this movie a high score. It made me smile, and I can relate to the message they tried to sent. It has a variety of musical genders to appease the general audience, an unique tour pace to go alonge with the ride. I highly recommend this movie.

And either you're a fan of EXO or not, don't be biased by your opinion your lack of it, it's entirely your choice.
But considering what this movie has to offer, it's a loss not pressing the play button and enjoy each and every stage.