“My Name is Loh Kiwan is a powerful and heart-wrenching story about the harsh reality of a North Korean immigrant trying to survive in Belgium. This film will give you a lot of food for thought. It is also a beautiful love story. Song Joong-ki gives a tour de force performance.”
My Name is Loh Kiwan is a Korean film directed and written by Kim Hee-Jin, starring Song Joong-ki and Choi Sung-eun. It releases globally on Netflix, on March 1st.
AN IMMIGRANT STORY
My Name is Loh Kiwan follows North Korean defector Loh Kiwan (Song Joong-ki) as he seeks refugee status in Belgium after escaping from China. It’s his mother’s dying wish for him to no longer survive but to live on his own terms. However, things are not as easy as it seems and Kiwan ends up being in limbo. He struggles to survive, make a living and put a roof over his head. This film shows the harsh reality of immigrants coming to seek refuge in other countries hoping for a better life, only to realize that they are still struggling. But at the same time, they can’t go back to their home country because it would mean death for them. Thus, their only choice is to stay in their new country and trying to survive.
Loh Kiwan’s story is a heart-wrenching one. He is facing grief, having lost his mother and at the same time, he is literally fighting for his life. This film doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. In fact, it is raw, showing what happens to Kiwan the way it is. There is no sugarcoating. As the audience, we witness his misery. Not only, is he struggling to survive, he also faces racism. Because he is an undocumented immigrant seeking for a refugee status, he is seen by some locals as dangerous. It really hurts to see this. Despite the hardship, Kiwan keeps fighting for his life. This is really powerful. Even though, this film is fiction, Loh Kiwan’s situation is a reality for a lot of immigrants. So, his story will give you a lot of food for thought.
A LOVE STORY
Beyond this deeply moving immigrant story, My Name is Loh Kiwan is also a beautiful love story. It’s a love story between Loh Kiwan and Marie (Choi Sung-eun). It’s two opposing characters who find each other at the right time. Loh Kiwan has the will to survive. While, Marie is battling her inner demons, not knowing how to cope with her mother’s death from years ago. She is in a downward spiral. They are drawn to each other over their shared experiences of grief. Thus, at the same time, it is indeed a beautiful love story but it is a deeply moving one as well.
CAST
Undoubtedly, Song Joong-ki gives a tour de force performance. Kiwan’s story is a raw one and Song Joong-ki perfectly portrays how his character feels. At times, you even forget this is fiction. This shows he really gives his all in this performance. Song Joong-ki keeps showing his talent as actor and proves no role is too difficult for him. He carries this film. I have no doubt he will earn some awards in Korea. Choi Sung-eun also delivers a touching performance as she showcases the vulnerability of her character. This film is an acting masterclass.
VISUALS & SOUNDTRACK
Moreover, the director Kim Hee-Jin plays with the colour palette reflecting Loh Kiwan’s journey. It’s something you don’t necessarily notice at first but when you realize this, it adds another layer to this film. The visuals tell a story too. You can tell a lot of care and attention were put in the making of this film. This is Kim Hee-Jin’s feature directorial debut and it doesn’t disappoint. Kim Hee-Jin knows how to approach the different nuances of this story without falling in the melodramatic but in bringing sensitivity to the subject. She does that by filming this story and the actors in a raw and realistic way. Finally, My Name is Loh Kiwan has a powerful and memorable musical score that perfectly fits with the atmosphere of this film.
VERDICT
My Name is Loh Kiwan is a powerful and heart-wrenching story about the harsh reality of a North Korean immigrant trying to survive in Belgium. This film will give you a lot of food for thought. It is also a beautiful love story. Song Joong-ki gives a tour de force performance, portraying the raw story of Loh Kiwan. Choi Sung-eun also delivers a touching performance as she showcases the vulnerability of her character. This film is an acting masterclass. Director Kim Hee-Jin knows how to approach the different nuances of this story without falling in the melodramatic but in bringing sensitivity to the subject.
My Name Is Loh Kiwan releases March 1st on Netflix.
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