4 Korean Films Tackle Soccer, Mysticism, Arm Wrestling and, Um, Zombies

Reviews of DREAM | CHAMPION | ALIVE | ARAHAN

After the outcome of the U.S. presidential election earlier this week, which proved to be both shocking and (unfortunately) not shocking, I feel like many of us can use a little timeline cleanse. At least I can. So I wanted to share some Korean films I’ve watched recently that offer offer hope and humor.

And if that doesn’t do it for you, there are zombies in one of the films!

Because I tend to be long-winded in my reviews, I’ve given myself a challenge this time around: keep the writing concise and to the point. Almost like a capsule review. I’ve always found it easier to write more than less, though. So. Let’s see how this attempt goes!

FYI: These films are reviewed alphabetically and, as usual, are rated on a ☆☆☆☆ system:

📽️ #Alive (살아있다) ☆☆☆
📽️ Arahan (아라한 장풍 대작전) ☆☆
📽️ Champion (챔피언) ☆☆☆
📽️ Dream (드림) ☆☆☆

#ALIVE

Park Shin-hye, Yoo Ah-in

살아있다 ☆☆☆
Oh Joon-woo (played by Yoo Ah-in)
Kim Yoo-bin (played by Park Shin-hye)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.

“#Alive” was filmed a year before countries worldwide went on lock down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But its depiction of isolation and fear of the unknown mirrors what millions of people went through in real life (minus the zombies) in this 2020 thriller. Led by Yoo Ah-in, the movie starts with his character completely content at home by himself, gaming and enjoying solitude. After a virus mysteriously turns citizens into zombies, the government orders its citizens to lock themselves in their homes until given further notice. That’s all fine when you have a stocked fridge and utilities to keep yourself comfortable at home. But when supplies diminish and neighbors are literally killing each other to survive, that makes that much-coveted me time feel like isolation. When Beenzino raps “I wanna be free” on the OST “Break,” you can feel the desperation. Joon-woo finds solace when he spots a young woman (Park Shin-hye) in a neighboring apartment. The two use technology (including a drone) to meet up so that they can be alone together. The acting is superb from both leads, and the storyline keeps viewers intrigued. (Netflix)
Release Date: This 99-minute film opened in South Korea on June 24, 2020.

© 2024 JAE-HA KIM | All Rights Reserved

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ARAHAN

아라한 장풍 대작전 ☆☆
Sang-hwan (played by Ryoo Seung-bum)
Eui-jin (played by Yoon So-yi)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.

“Arahan” wasn’t on my radar when it was released two decades ago. By today’s standards, it’s unsophisticated in special effects and a bit gaudy looking. But with all that said, it was refreshing to watch a Korean production that showcased actors who look like everyday people, who aren't a whiter shade of pale. Sang-hwan is a police officer who is too much of a ‘fraidy cat to be a standout on the force. But through his friendship with Eui-jin, who has extraordinary fighting skills, he learns that he has untapped super powers of his own. This revelation comes in handy as he’s required to fight evil to literally save the world. Is it corny? A little too much to be considered a great film. But it’s good enough to keep viewers intrigued until the end. (Netflix)
Release date: This 114-minute film released on April 30, 2004 in South Korea.
Trivia: Director Ryoo Seung-wan cast his brother, Ryoo Seung-bum, as the star of the film.

© 2024 JAE-HA KIM | All Rights Reserved

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CHAMPION

Ma Dong-seok, Kwon Yul

챔피언 ☆☆☆
Mark / Baek Seung-min (played by Ma Dong-seok, who is billed here by his western name of Don Lee)
Jin-ki (played by Kwon Yul)
Soo-jin (played by Han Ye-ri)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.

If you watched Sylvester Stallone’s 1987 arm wrestling film “Over the Top” and hated it, don’t let that deter you from giving “Champion” a shot. Starring Ma Dong-seok (“Train to Busan,” “Eternals,” “The Roundup” films), the charismatic, buff actor has a knack for comedy. This feel-good movie centers on Mark, a Korean adoptee raised in the U.S., who returns to his birth country to compete in a lucrative arm wrestling competition. Mark didn’t really want to come back, but his in-debt friend, Jin-ki, convinces him that if he does, he will help find Mark’s birth mother. Through circumstances that can’t be controlled, Marks finds his half sister (Han Ye-ri of “Minari”) and her adorable children instead. When the film starts veering towards a potentially icky relationship, the screenwriter resolves it with what some might call a cop-out. Meanwhile, Mark is faced with the moral dilemma of throwing the competition to appease gangsters who stand to win more if he loses. Will he do their bidding? I think we all know the answer to that. (Viki)
Release date: This 108-minute film opened in South Korea on May 1, 2018. Directed by Kim Yong-wan.

© 2024 JAE-HA KIM | All Rights Reserved

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DREAM

Park Seo-joon and Lee Ji-eun (aka IU)

드림 ☆☆☆
Yoon Hong-dae (played by Park Seo-joon)
Lee So-min (played by Lee Ji-eun)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.

Based on the real-life Homeless World Cup (which was held in September in Seoul), “Dream” offers a more cynical look than Great Britain’s “The Beautiful Game,” which shares the same topic. Park Seo-joon stars as a problematic soccer star forced to coach a soccer team comprised of homeless players. Lee Ji-eun (better known as the K-pop star IU) portrays a documentarian who’s hired to concoct a feel-good documentary to bolster the athlete’s image. Neither likes each other. And thankfully, this isn’t a cute film about how adversaries become lovers. Instead, the true love story centers on characters who learn how to love themselves for who they are, rather than what they have. Will a film like this end homelessness anywhere? No. But perhaps depicting characters whose hardships aren’t the result of the drug-and-alcohol-abuse trope will help remind us that bad things can do happen to people not unlike ourselves. While viewers won’t be surprised by what happens at the end of “Dream,” I enjoyed it for its ability to present humanity in a humorous way. (Netflix)
Release date: "Dream" was released in South Korea on April 26, 2023, opening at first place. The running time is 125 minutes. Directed by Lee Byeong-heon, who is known for the 2019 film “Extreme Job,” which is South Korea’s second highest-grossing movie. (Kim Han-min’s 2014 film “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” is No. 1.)

© 2024 JAE-HA KIM | All Rights Reserved

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Be sure to check out my K-drama Index for other shows and films that you may want to check out — or skip …