A film about illegal immigration, seeking refuge, and the right to live, 'My Name is Loh Kiwan' aims at showing us the grim reality of immigration and life as a nomad. Loh Kiwan, played by Song Joong-ki, is a young North Korean defector who is forced to enter Belgium in a desperate attempt to survive. Enduring harsh conditions as the Belgian government determines his fate, he meets Marie, a drug addict seeking refuge from her troubled reality. Their survival amid the odds serves as the basic premise of the film.

The film masterfully juxtaposes the main plotline with a secondary narrative involving Marie's entanglement with nefarious elements. While this subplot adds depth to her character, it occasionally falters in its execution, with certain aspects feeling less compelling than others. While grappling with technical shortcomings, the film's central message of hope and resilience shines through, leaving viewers with a profound sense of reflection and empathy for the struggles of refugees. My Name is Loh Kiwan stands as a testament to the power of love to transcend barriers and illuminate the darkest corners of the human experience.

My Rating : 7.5/10.

I feel disappointed.

" The story was flowing along intrestingly and pretty good showing the male lead's hardships. I was hoping it would continue that way. His struggles for work and warmth and a roof over his head were authentic. " "The movie seemed to have spent more time on the "love" story and Marie's drama than on what should've been the focus of the story, Loh's journey to freedom. "

The Fl sounded like a spoiled brat. I didn't like her character. Plus, Their love plot sounded illogical.

The gangster scenes was just laughable and the European gangsters very stereotyped.

Song jong ki's facial expressions were almost the same. He could have done better.

The Fl's acting was okay. I think she deserves more recognition.

While initially excited for this movie, my enthusiasm waned due to some common pitfalls found in many Korean films. The exaggerated physical actions and portrayal of human evil felt overdone, detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, the depiction of foreigners, particularly the portrayal of hoodlums and low-class individuals, left much to be desired. It's disheartening to see such stereotypes reinforced without consultation from those actually within those social groups.

The inclusion of certain drug scenes lacked realism and felt more akin to a child's perspective. Moreover, the film suffered from an excess of drama and an imbalance of genres, cramming too many scenarios and clichés into its two-hour runtime. While the struggles of a North Korean defector in a foreign country would have been a compelling narrative on its own, the film's insistence on incorporating numerous unrelated plots and twists detracted from its potential impact.

The overuse of sound effects, while potentially exacerbated by personal misophonia, felt overly saturated and distracting. Despite these flaws, the film remained entertaining overall, but its potential was hindered by its scattered direction and misguided ambitions. With more focused storytelling and a critical eye towards representation, it could have been a much stronger and more impactful viewing experience.

Despite these flaws, the cinematography stood out as a highlight. The use and balance of colors, as well as the pacing of shots, were commendable, adding depth and visual interest to the film. However, the oversaturisation of sound effects, while potentially exacerbated by personal misophonia, felt distracting. I guess most sounds came from post, with the use of foley artists and dubbing?

It was beautiful to witness the honest man's relentless struggle and hard work to establish himself in a foreign country, adding a layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative. The dreamy atmosphere further enhanced the viewing experience, drawing viewers into the character's journey.

Overall, while the film remained entertaining, its potential was hindered by its scattered direction and misguided ambitions. With more focused storytelling and a critical eye towards representation, it could have been a much stronger and more impactful viewing experience. Toning down the excessive elements and prioritizing key narratives would have greatly benefited the film, underscoring the importance of knowing when to end and which stories to include. Prioritization is key in any creative endeavor.

I acknowledge that my very Swedish/Western perspective may differ greatly from the cultural glasses of this film. A parable of our differing food cultures too perhaps.