It achieved great success at the box office in Japan and gained popularity in other East Asian countries, particularly South Korea.

Remarkably, it was one of the first Japanese films to be shown in South Korean cinemas since World War II, garnering 645,615 admissions and ranking as the tenth highest-grossing general release of the year.

[1] Shunji Iwai collaborated with cinematographer Noboru Shinoda, resulting in a film celebrated for its evocative winter cinematography.

[citation needed] Pop singer Miho Nakayama was cast in the dual roles of Hiroko Watanabe and Itsuki Fujii, while teenager Miki Sakai made her movie debut and won the 'Newcomer of the Year' Award at the Japanese Academy Awards for her portrayal of a young Itsuki Fujii.

The American distribution rights for the film were acquired by Fine Line Features, which released it in theaters under the new title When I Close My Eyes.

Two years later, on the day of Itsuki's memorial ceremony, Hiroko looks through his high school yearbook and finds an address under his name.

She writes a letter to him and receives a reply from a woman named Itsuki Fujii, who bears a striking resemblance to Hiroko.

Female Itsuki, who works at the public library, is suffering from a persistent cold but refuses to seek medical help.