In 2024, Song Joong-ki, celebrating his 40th year in Korean age, marks a comeback with the Netflix original film “My Name is Loh Kiwan.” After a hiatus following the 2022 JTBC series “Reborn Rich,” he takes on the role of an unconventional character—a North Korean defector. The Netflix original film “My Name is Loh Kiwan” is based on the novel “Meeting Loh Kiwan” by author Jo Hae-jin.
“My Name is Loh Kiwan” is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on March 1, 2024, with a runtime of 131 minutes. The film carries a rating of “not suitable for youth audiences.
Official Trailer of “My Name is Loh Kiwan”
Synopsis of “My Name is Loh Kiwan”
A cinematic portrayal of the encounter, parting, and love between Loh Kiwan, a North Korean defector carrying the last glimmer of hope in life, and Mary, a woman who has lost the meaning of her existence.
Merely from the synopsis, one might be reminded of films like “Late Autumn,” featuring Hyun Bin and Tang Wei, or “Failan,” starring Choi Min-sik and Jang Bak-ja. The true measure of “My Name is Loh Kiwan” remains uncertain, yet can this new film authentically uphold the tradition of romance movies that delve into the complexities of challenging lives?”
Casting of “My Name is Loh Kiwan”
Song Jung-ki Portrays Roh Ki-wan
Emigrating from North Korea with nothing to call his own, he endeavors to secure refugee status in Belgium—his only beacon of hope in a foreign and unfamiliar land.
He stands as one of South Korea’s distinguished male actors, earning acclaim for both his acting finesse and box office appeal. Whether in films or TV series, he has consistently showcased exceptional performances, almost invariably achieving notable success. Renowned for his unwavering commitment and solid professionalism, Song Joong-ki has become a highly respected figure in the industry. Born in 1985, he turned 40 in Korean age this year. Despite the original character of Loh Ki-wan being portrayed as 20 years old, Song Joong-ki seamlessly embodies the role, displaying no unease in playing a character much younger. Indeed, Song Joong-ki appears to have undergone little change since his role in “Werewolf Boy” twelve years ago.
Choi Sung-eun Portrays Mari
A Korean national, a sharpshooter with Belgian citizenship, who has lost the purpose of life. After an unexpected encounter with Loh Ki-wan, intertwined by a twist of fate, she unintentionally falls in love.
She took on the role of So Kyung-joo in the 2019 film “Start-Up,” alongside Ma Dong-seok and Park Jung-min. While “Start-Up” is noted as her debutm she has steadily enriched her filmography with a mysterious appearance and robust acting skills. Subsequently, she assumed the protagonist’s role in Netflix Original “The Sound of Magic.”
Cho Han-cheol portrays Lee Yun-sung
He is Mari’s father.
Kim Sung-ryung Portrays Okhee
she is Mari’s mother.
Lee Il-Hwa Portrays Jung Ju
She is Roh Ki-wan’s mother and the reason for Roh’s departure to Belgium.
Lee Sang-hee Portrays Sun Ju
The person of Korean-Chinese origin whom Roh Ki-wan encounters at the factory in Belgium.
Seo Hyun-woo Portrays Euncheol
He is Roh Ki-wan’s maternal uncle.
Production crew of “My Name is Loh Kiwan”
Both the screenplay and direction were helmed by Director Kim Hee-jin. “My Name is Loh Kiwan” marks Director Kim Hee-jin’s debut in directing feature commercial films.
behind the Scene of “My Name is Loh Kiwan”
- The narrative of the original novel, “Meeting Loh Kiwan,” unfolds in a remarkably dramatic manner. As readers delve into Loh Ki-wan’s story, many defectors find a reflection of their own experiences. The portrayal not only captures the hardships of life in North Korea but also paints a poignant picture of the harsh reality—selling a mother’s corpse to finance the escape to Belgium. Beyond the romantic elements, the novel poignantly portrays the tragic lives of defectors, their struggle for acceptance in any society, and the perpetual sense of being a stranger, evoking a deep sense of empathy. The following is a summary of the original novel’s content.
“I ” work as a documentary writer for a broadcast program that turns the stories of less fortunate neighbors into documentaries, raising support through real-time Automated Response System (ARS). In an attempt to help Yoonju, who lost her parents and struggles in a basement room with a noticeable lump on her cheek, “I” have good intentions to postpone the broadcast of her story until the Chuseok holiday to increase funding. However, this act of kindness backfires, leading to a tragic consequence: the delay in surgery results in the lump turning into a malignant tumor. Consumed by guilt, “I” start distancing myself from Yoonju and PD Jae-i. By chance, “I” come across the story of North Korean defector Loh Ki-wan in a magazine and impulsively decide to leave for Belgium. However, upon my arrival, I discover that Loh Ki-wan has already left Belgium, and I begin to trace his footsteps through the diary he left behind over the past three years.
Based on what “I” have discovered, Loh Ki-wan’s journey unfolds as he transitions from North Korea to China and ventures into the unfamiliar landscapes of Europe, where communication becomes a challenge. His life becomes a constant experience of being a “deportee,” never truly settling anywhere. After a challenging journey, he eventually secures refugee status in Brussels. However, driven by the desire to be with his beloved, he willingly sacrifices the privileges of refugee life and embarks on another journey, this time to London. Through the exploration of Loh Ki-wan’s endeavors, the “I” learns to confront her own life fully, gaining understanding of this complete stranger along the way.
- Upon reviewing the content of the original novel, it becomes apparent that the protagonist is more the narrator, identified as “I,” rather than Loh Ki-wan.
- In the original work, Loh Kiwan is portrayed as a diminutive youth, measuring 158 centimeters and weighing 46 kilograms.”
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Explore the captivating image of the actress in her previous work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpiTHOiZ3XI
