My Name Is Loh Kiwan (Korean: 로기완) is a 2024 South Korean drama film written and directed by Kim Hee-jin and starring Song Joong-ki and Choi Sung-eun. It is based on the 2019 fictional novel I Met Loh Kiwan by author Cho Hae-jin. The film is about the experiences of a North Korean defector who travels to Belgium for refuge. It was released on Netflix in selected regions on March 1, 2024.
| My Name is Loh Kiwan | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 로기완 |
| Revised Romanization | Rogiwan |
| McCune–Reischauer | Rokiwan |
| Directed by | Kim Hee-jin |
| Screenplay by | Kim Hee-jin |
| Based on | I Met Loh Ki-wan by Cho Hae-jin |
| Produced by | Jang Eun-young |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Lim Won-geun |
| Edited by | Yang Jin-mo |
| Music by | Dalpalan |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 133 minutes[1] |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
Synopsis
editKiwan, a North Korean defector who escapes to China with his mother only to be separated from her by the harsh Chinese authorities. Forced to flee again, Kiwan finds himself in Brussels, a completely foreign land with a biting winter. There, he faces homelessness and the struggle to survive. But Kiwan is driven by his mother's dying wish to find a safe haven where he can live freely. A glimmer of hope appears when he meets Marie, former Belgian athlete who has also fallen on hard times. Together, they confront their individual hardships and forge a bond as they fight for a better future.[2]
Cast
edit- Song Joong-ki as Loh Kiwan, a North Korean defector[2]
- Choi Sung-eun as Marie Lee, a former shooting athlete[2]
- Kim Sung-ryung as Ok-hee, Kiwan's mother.[3]
- Seo Hyun-woo as Ri Eun-cheol, Loh Kiwan's maternal uncle.[2]
- Lee Sang-hee as Seon-ju, a Korean-Chinese immigrant whom Ki-wan meets at a Belgian factory.[2]
- Jo Han-chul as Lee Youn-sung, Marie's father.[2]
- Lee Il-hwa as Jeong-ju, Marie's mother.[3]
- Waël Sersoub as Cyril, a bar owner in Belgium.[4]
Production
editThe film is based on a fictional 2019 novel by South Korean author Cho Hae-jin.[5] An article published by Liberty in North Korea, a non-profit that assists North Korean defectors, evaluated the circumstances and themes in the story as realistic. Defectors often deal with imperiled escapes, difficult asylum applications, trauma, and cultural and linguistic barriers.[6]
On February 8, 2023, Netflix confirmed production of the film with the casting of Song Joong-ki, Choi Sung-eun, Jo Han-chul, Kim Sung-ryung, Lee Il-hwa, Lee Sang-hee, and Seo Hyun-woo.[7]
On February 24, 2023, Song Joong-ki posted a photo that showed the start of filming in Hungary.[8]
Release
editThe film was released exclusively on Netflix on March 1, 2024.[9]
Accolades
edit| Award | Year | Category | Nominee / work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Lee Sang-hee | Won | [10] |
References
edit- ^ "My Name Is Loh Kiwan Cast, News, Videos and more". Tudum by Netflix. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "My Name Is Loh Kiwan: Release Date, Story, and Cast of the Song Joong-ki Film - Netflix Tudum". Netflix. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Kim, Na-yeon (February 7, 2023). '재혼' 송중기, 탈북자 변신..'로기완' 캐스팅 라인업 공개 [공식] ['Remarriage' Song Joong-ki transforms into a North Korean defector..'Loh Kiwan' casting lineup revealed [Official]] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved February 7, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Lee, Se-bin (February 12, 2024). 조한철·김성령→이일화...빈틈없다 '로기완' [Jo Han-chul, Kim Sung-ryung→Lee Il-hwa...seamless 'Loh Kiwan'] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Retrieved February 12, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim, Da-sol (February 7, 2023). "Song Joong-ki to play North Korean defector in Netflix film 'My Name is Loh Kiwan'". The Korea Herald. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "My Name Is Loh Kiwan | Fictional Story, Real Lives". Liberty in North Korea. March 8, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Cho, Yong-jun (February 8, 2023). "Cast members announced for Netflix film 'My Name is Loh Kiwan'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Kang, Min-kyung (February 24, 2023). '예비 아빠' 송중기, ♥케이티와 함께 헝가리 가더니...'로기완' 촬영 시작 ['Expectant dad' Song Joong-ki went to Hungary with ♥Katy...and start filming 'My Name is Loh Kiwan']. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Oh, Bo-ram (February 1, 2024). 송중기 탈북자 연기한 영화 '로기완' 3월 1일 넷플릭스 공개 [Song Joong-ki's North Korean Defector Plays in the Movie 'Ro Ki Wan' Premieres on Netflix on March 1]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (May 7, 2024). '무빙'→'서울의 봄' 대상..'파묘'는 4관왕 [제60회 백상예술대상][종합] ['Moving' → 'Seoul Spring' Grand Prize..'Buried Grave' wins 4 awards [60th Baeksang Arts Awards] [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 – via Naver.
External links
edit- Production website at HighZium Studio (in Korean)
- My Name Is Loh Kiwan on Netflix
- My Name Is Loh Kiwan at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)
- My Name Is Loh Kiwan at IMDb
- My Name Is Loh Kiwan at HanCinema
