So many people praising it.. but I disagree.
I saw quite a lot of reviews, and barely any negative ones. I'll be the first then. I did not like this that much. The story was quite boring, and it wasnt really thrilling. Very slow paced. I don't know how they filled it up to make it 2 hours. Could literally be 1 hour. I just felt like it was missing a lot. Not that good imo.Was this review helpful to you?
I can feel their pain
It's a great story the movie itself tells the story of being accepted in the community that you loved to be belong to.Song Joong Ki is not so glamorous in this film, his not the oppa material that we used to see him. She showcase his talent in acting wherein I can feel his pain. The story tells to faced the trials and pain to never give up. I can feel his pain in betrayal the person that you didn't expect to betray you is the most painful one.
The girl Marie is gorgeous they have resemblance with the actress Yeo Sea Ji they are the same as good actresses. I can also the pain of Marie when she loss her mother.
Together they embrace their pains and together they faced it. In the end they find the real happiness after all the pain they been through.
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kiwanie, you have always looked good in blue!
Totally loved the movie, Song Joong Ki's excellent chemistry with every character that introduces from his mother, his uncle, comrade seon joo and most importantly with marie! SJK ns emotional scenes is top-notch carry a whole tissue box and there are some hard hitting dialogues hereChoi sungeun looked mature for her age and her chemistry with SJK has been top notch! as kmedia said she is a monster rookie will be looking forward to her works.
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It doesn't need romance
Omg! First of all! How the heck is Soo joong-ki looking so young in here!Anyway, the story was pretty interesting in beginning. Loved Joong ki's innocent character. The story was flowing along interestly and pretty good showing the male lead's hardships. I was hoping it would continue that way. However, along came the female lead. And the story got dulled and became your boring ol' korean "romance" drama. Like can't we just get a good korean movie without turning it into romance?
Yeah, suddenly the story just focused on this girl and how they fell in love. BORING!
The story just became your typical korean love drama! đź’”
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Bigger dissapointement than expected
I was looking forward a k-drama shot in Europe. Yet let me tell you that you can see they don't know anything about the crountry where the action did take place.
For a while i thought this was 80' until a saw one of the caractere with some kind of ipad.
Let me remind you this the capital of Europe... so why does the last scenes at the airport looks like a small town train station ?
Also, in Belgium mainly Brussels, everything is always bilingual in French AND Dutch. So here, a bit more research would have helped and avoid casting a vilain with a very thick french accent (and not belgian) or police officier which can't even pronounce the name of the city !
But thumbs up to the korean actor taking on the advocate role , even thought i did not seem the most natural , its speach did sound like a foreign speaking french.
During the whole story there wasn't any "friendly" european, juste one bad encounter after an other one .Instead we got the stereotypical gangster (more russian mafia )
Regarding the plot :
The story touch a lot of topic without going into them or solutions to solve a situation did not make sense ( why pretenting to be chinese to get a job ? also you can get a job without any paper ?!!)
If they wanted to make a "social "interest film, they should have restricted the topics to the refugee theme (
Overall the film felt unrealistic and immature to me.
I rated the music because you have to but I didn’t pay attention to it honestly.
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A Cinematic Masterpiece
What can I say about this film? As someone who has seen more movies than I can count, it really takes something special to leave a lasting impression on me. And that's exactly what this movie did – it burrowed its way into my mind and heart, creating an experience that will stay with me for years to come.The storytelling was masterful, weaving together multiple narratives into an intricate tapestry that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were richly drawn and multi-layered, each with their own struggles and triumphs that resonated deeply. I found myself invested in their journeys, laughing and crying alongside them as the plot unfolded.
But what truly set this movie apart was its visual artistry. The cinematography was nothing short of breathtaking, with every frame composed like a living painting. The use of color, lighting, and camera angles created an immersive atmosphere that transported me to different worlds with each scene. I was in awe of the attention to detail and the seamless blending of practical and visual effects.
Performances were also top-notch across the board, with the ensemble cast delivering nuanced and powerful portrayals that elevated the material. Each actor brought their A-game, and their chemistry was electric, making even the quietest moments crackle with intensity.
In a sea of forgettable, cookie-cutter films, this movie stands out as a true work of art. It's a testament to the power of cinema to challenge, inspire, and entertain on the highest level. I left the theater feeling enriched and invigorated, eager to discuss and dissect every aspect of this cinematic masterpiece.
In conclusion, this film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of cinema. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging and unforgettable cinematic experience. Ignore the naysayers – this is a must-watch masterpiece.
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Emotional
Great work Song Joong Ki! This movie was very emotional and heartbreaking in the treatment of the defector character & the female actor. The performance was exceptional and I am one of those watchers that loves a happy ending. Thanks for the hard work that went into this drama. The conditions depicted were just incredible to fathom. The only complain is that it was just too short but it was an incredible movie that had a heartwarming ending.Was this review helpful to you?
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A must-watch film, and a compelling narrative, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
My Name is Loh Ki Wan" is a cinematic masterpiece that seamlessly blends drama, romance, and the complexities of identity. The film's portrayal of Loh Ki Wan's journey as a North Korean defector seeking refuge in Belgium is both poignant and riveting. The unexpected romance that unfolds with Marie adds a beautiful layer of emotion, making it a story that resonates deeply.The performances are outstanding, with the cast delivering nuanced portrayals that breathe life into the characters. Song Joong-ki (SJK) delivers a compelling performance in "My Name is Loh Ki Wan," portraying the North Korean defector with depth and authenticity. His nuanced acting captures the emotional complexities of the character, adding a powerful layer to the film.
The cinematography captures the essence of both North Korea and Belgium, creating a visually captivating experience. The pacing keeps the audience engaged, and the screenplay skillfully balances moments of tension with heartwarming scenes.
At its core, "My Name is Loh Ki Wan" is a celebration of resilience, love, and the pursuit of a new beginning. It leaves a lasting impact, prompting reflection on the universal themes of human connection and the quest for belonging. This film is a must-watch, offering a rich tapestry of emotions that lingers in the viewer's mind long after the credits roll.
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Exciting Film, unfortunately with a lot of stereotypes
The film is exciting and thrilling. Song Joong-ki's acting is really excellent, he's also good in normal K-dramas, but he's even better here. The entire film gets 10 points from me, even if I now criticize it. The film largely takes place in Brussels and I have to say that not a single European is portrayed as nice or sympathetic in the entire film!!! This is very unfair. Europe is groaning under the refugee burden of the last few years. In Brussels there are now two queues in front of the asylum office: families, women and men traveling alone. There are simply no more shelters to house people, so a lot of single men actually end up on the streets. That's terrible, of course, but at the same time it shows that the current system is breaking down because of the sheer weight of it. As already indicated in the film, many people flee for economic reasons and it is very difficult to do justice to people without a passport in individual cases. Here, too, the Belgians are portrayed as almost inhuman, it's so nasty towards the hard-working people in the authorities. Of course there are no "normal" Belgians in the film. Only the blonde woman f****g preferably in a pack is shown, the violent drug lord and criminal ...The most brutal xenophobia is constantly shown. This paints a one-dimensional picture of a complex situation in which there is more humanity and help than shown here.Was this review helpful to you?
Bloody, Lonely, Cold, Foreigner, Sad, Hungry…
For the first hour of the movie, I was completely absorbed, watching Loh Kiwan navigate life as a North Korean immigrant in Belgium. Eyes wide open, I tried to catch any information that would explain why he escaped China. I went in blind, avoiding the synopsis because they tend to spoil my fun or mess with my expectations. All I knew was that Song Joong Ki played the role of a broken man trying to survive—survive his sadness, his loss, and the harshness of life.
Then she appeared—the main lead—a little thief who stole his wallet, the last memento from his mother. The plot was “good,” though sometimes slow. It tackled the significant subject of immigration and the lengths people go to for a better life, as well as the individual stories behind each immigrant.
However, the female lead's story overshadowed this focus. More attention should have been on Loh Kiwan's journey. Their love story felt rushed, as if key moments between them were missing. They couldn’t have fallen in love over just a silent meal.
Song Joong Ki did a fantastic job, portraying every emotion convincingly and being sweetly kind. However, the representation of the locals was poor, possibly to emphasize Loh Kiwan’s suffering, but still lacking.
In conclusion, it could have been much better. The ending is open to discussion, so I’m rating it an 8/10.
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Love
I am not going to review the whole film. It is impactful, it is emotional, it is gritty... great acting. I want to comment on the love reltionship part. There seems to be so much discussion about romance part of the movie and how it was not needed at all and even SJK has refused the script 7 uears prior as he didn't see the point of it. My take on this (as a refugee myself) is that often we seek home. Be it a new country and a new community but often it ends up being a person. The connection. Place to belong to. That is why I am completely ok and feel it is important part of the refugee process to have it in this movie as well.Was this review helpful to you?
