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What nonsense is this?
I seriously thought that they would actually focus on his journey and it would be more introspective but this, I just don't know what the point of it was.I'm getting real tired of shows using Europe as a country, like if the differences between one country and another were at the level of between states in the US. It was very clearly not Brussels and it was annoying they were trying to sell me it was. I don't know, the ML could have actually gone to Budapest and the story could have been set there, but I guess it would sell less? Maybe many people don't know where Budapest is?
This movie was way more melodramatic than it needed to be, or at least the melodramatic bits needed to be in other moments not the ones chosen. At points it keeps dwelling on it but I just couldn't care, meanwhile things like the fact his mother's corpse was sold is mentioned a few times for shock value but doesn't have the emotional depth that other less interesting moments have, for example.
I started to roll my eyes when he kept finding locals and would get beaten up for the stupidest things, it was so unrealistic and even the lighting changes between those rough moments and the end of the movie. Now he made it I'm sure he won't bump into anyone that will beat him to nearly death... *logic not found*. Once ok, but he was beaten up so many times or pushed around like a pathetic box of potatoes too many times in a short time span to be realistic in my opinion.
As other reviewers have mentioned as well, that's not how the process for refugees works, not only in Belgium but also in other European countries. If they wanted more realistic melodrama they could have tackled for example that there has been cases of abuse and terrible conditions in refugee centres.
Then he finally has the court meeting and he just runs out because of the girl and somehow he still gets the refugee status? Excuse me? I guess he didn't even need to go in the first place then, "this court case could have been an email".
The female lead was a very unlikeable character and I still don't understand what her deal was. She was a spoiled brat. She clearly comes from a family with money and she rebels against the father because her mother passed and I guess she's against assisted death but it was not her decision anyway but the mother's? So she has a tantrum that gets her into trouble and that kind of life. I still don't understand why the gangsters would care so much about her in the end, and if they did to that extend they would have found her in whatever country she went to. Equally unrealistic is that she used drugs but didn't suffer the consequences of any of it.
The romance here could have been a side story and I thought it would, but as a main plot it's just not there. Their love doesn't grow in a realistic way nor it was realistic that he would risk so much for her. Two minutes prior he was telling her about the razor and how he and his mother were ready to end their lives than be deported, the next he's leaving the court to run after her even though, from his knowledge and perspective, he doesn't know what or if anything has happened to her. Also, call the police or something? I don't get it. He's the masochist type I guess, he didn't have enough hardships that he decided to put her baggage onto his shoulders too. Sorry but I don't think many people would do that for a fling. Sure, they say they love each other but I felt nothing other than "boy, you have a problem".
The "airport" at the end was the cherry on top, and the FL in that ending was quite puzzling until you remember that she has daddy's money I guess.
Acting is good but it can't save the mess it's the writing and the overall execution. I don't know how different the book might be but I'm zero interested after watching this movie I'm afraid.
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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?
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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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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The movie should be called, "My Name is Marie"
This movie is about a rebellious girl named Marie. Marie has always blamed her father for the death of her mother. Thus, she became rebellious and ran off. Life became a struggle when she became part of a shooting competition gang. She's trying to get out and find her real path in the world. .....Yeah...this is basically the whole movie. Iol! More than half of the movie is just about the girl's drama.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 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!
They should've just do less of the female lead's story and do more of the male's story. I feel her story is just too much and took away the actual plot of the male lead's story.
The movie should have focused more on his struggles, who he is, but instead more than half of the movie was just focused on the female lead's drama.
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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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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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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?
A surprising movie that is well done
I vaguely read the summary, I just knew it had Song Joongki so I wasn’t expecting the plot of the movie. At the beginning the movie seems more realistic fiction and the later goes into a more wild experience but is still realistic fiction. And it’s also more of a romance then I expected which I loved. This movie is so well done and as expected Joongki is such a brilliant actor. It’s so sad yet beautiful and inspiring. It gives me a mix of The Good Lie and kind of Flower of Evil. Absolutely loved watching this and will recommend plus rewatch!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
One of my favourites
Okay, so this movie is pretty fucking good. The concept in itself is really interesting. And how they showed how hard it is for a person who has nowhere to stay, really made me feel bad for him. The backstory with his mother was very emotional and you can understand why he is like he is.The introduction of the female cast really made me angry, when she randomly appears and steals his wallet. The wallet with a picture of his mom in, the only one he has left of her. But after we got to know her situation, I kind of had an understanding for why she did it. After she heard about his wallet and the importance attached to it she understood how important that wallet is to him.
She promises to get it back to him, which she does and it showed that even though on the outside she looked like an asshole at first. She wasn't a bad person.
This show taught me that you can never know what someone is going through. Neither he or she knew what the other one had gone through.
Kiwan truly showed us how a person truly can fight inconveniences to survive. Many people maybe looked at refugees and didn't think any deeper than. "They fled their country and came here" most of us never consider the hardships they've gone through.
I think this movie helped me realise that. I think that I've never been this emotional towards any movie ever.
The romance between the two is adorable, but it felt kind of like it came out of nowhere. I mean, she saved him from an overdose and then he said something like "If you do drugs, I'll do drugs. if you hurt yourself, I'll save you." type shi.
And they just got together. Other than that I kind of feel bad for the Chinese woman. Because she wanted to be able to earn money and she lied about Kiwan to then just get sent back anyway. She ruined her "friendship" with Kiwan and tried to repair it bit never really got the chance. Until she sent that newspaper in the end.
The antagonist who got shot in the end, didn't rat them out and that was honorable.
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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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