Ro Gi Wan (2024)

Love

I am not going to review the whole film. It is impactful, it is emotional, it is gritty... great acting. I want to comment on the love reltionship part. There seems to be so much discussion about romance part of the movie and how it was not needed at all and even SJK has refused the script 7 uears prior as he didn't see the point of it. My take on this (as a refugee myself) is that often we seek home. Be it a new country and a new community but often it ends up being a person. The connection. Place to belong to. That is why I am completely ok and feel it is important part of the refugee process to have it in this movie as well.

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A must-watch film, and a compelling narrative, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

My Name is Loh Ki Wan" is a cinematic masterpiece that seamlessly blends drama, romance, and the complexities of identity. The film's portrayal of Loh Ki Wan's journey as a North Korean defector seeking refuge in Belgium is both poignant and riveting. The unexpected romance that unfolds with Marie adds a beautiful layer of emotion, making it a story that resonates deeply.

The performances are outstanding, with the cast delivering nuanced portrayals that breathe life into the characters. Song Joong-ki (SJK) delivers a compelling performance in "My Name is Loh Ki Wan," portraying the North Korean defector with depth and authenticity. His nuanced acting captures the emotional complexities of the character, adding a powerful layer to the film.


The cinematography captures the essence of both North Korea and Belgium, creating a visually captivating experience. The pacing keeps the audience engaged, and the screenplay skillfully balances moments of tension with heartwarming scenes.

At its core, "My Name is Loh Ki Wan" is a celebration of resilience, love, and the pursuit of a new beginning. It leaves a lasting impact, prompting reflection on the universal themes of human connection and the quest for belonging. This film is a must-watch, offering a rich tapestry of emotions that lingers in the viewer's mind long after the credits roll.

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Bloody, Lonely, Cold, Foreigner, Sad, Hungry…

For the first hour of the movie, I was completely absorbed, watching Loh Kiwan navigate life as a North Korean immigrant in Belgium. Eyes wide open, I tried to catch any information that would explain why he escaped China. I went in blind, avoiding the synopsis because they tend to spoil my fun or mess with my expectations. All I knew was that Song Joong Ki played the role of a broken man trying to survive—survive his sadness, his loss, and the harshness of life.

Then she appeared—the main lead—a little thief who stole his wallet, the last memento from his mother. The plot was “good,” though sometimes slow. It tackled the significant subject of immigration and the lengths people go to for a better life, as well as the individual stories behind each immigrant.

However, the female lead's story overshadowed this focus. More attention should have been on Loh Kiwan's journey. Their love story felt rushed, as if key moments between them were missing. They couldn’t have fallen in love over just a silent meal.

Song Joong Ki did a fantastic job, portraying every emotion convincingly and being sweetly kind. However, the representation of the locals was poor, possibly to emphasize Loh Kiwan’s suffering, but still lacking.

In conclusion, it could have been much better. The ending is open to discussion, so I’m rating it an 8/10.

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Great Acting and Story about the Struggles of Refugees

I really like this movie. I think this is the best movie of Song Joong Ki since 2012's Werewolf Boy. He always acts well, but I really appreciated his acting here among his recent works. Choi Sung Eun is also really excellent. she has matured in her acting since I saw her in Sound of Magic way back 2022. Seo Hyun Woo, Kim Sung Ryung, and Jo Han Chul are also memorable. It's a good movie that shows the struggles of refugees trying to survive in a foreign country. I said earlier that SJK is really excellent, that's because he acted really well how a person in really bad conditions should act even though he himself has been always comfortable in life.

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A Hopeful Tale of Love and Escape Triumphs Against Insurmountable Odds

This movie offers a compelling narrative that intertwines the destinies of its protagonists amidst the backdrop of adversity and the pursuit of redemption. Through the arduous journey of Loh Ki-wan from North Korea to Belgium, the film explores themes of resilience, love, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure. Despite occasional departures from realism, the emotional resonance of the story remains intact, captivating audiences with its engaging plot and heartfelt performances.

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

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Exciting Film, unfortunately with a lot of stereotypes

The film is exciting and thrilling. Song Joong-ki's acting is really excellent, he's also good in normal K-dramas, but he's even better here. The entire film gets 10 points from me, even if I now criticize it. The film largely takes place in Brussels and I have to say that not a single European is portrayed as nice or sympathetic in the entire film!!! This is very unfair. Europe is groaning under the refugee burden of the last few years. In Brussels there are now two queues in front of the asylum office: families, women and men traveling alone. There are simply no more shelters to house people, so a lot of single men actually end up on the streets. That's terrible, of course, but at the same time it shows that the current system is breaking down because of the sheer weight of it. As already indicated in the film, many people flee for economic reasons and it is very difficult to do justice to people without a passport in individual cases. Here, too, the Belgians are portrayed as almost inhuman, it's so nasty towards the hard-working people in the authorities. Of course there are no "normal" Belgians in the film. Only the blonde woman f****g preferably in a pack is shown, the violent drug lord and criminal ...The most brutal xenophobia is constantly shown. This paints a one-dimensional picture of a complex situation in which there is more humanity and help than shown here.

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what should have been a great one , with lackluster screenplay end up an average watch.

Rated it 7/10.
I feel disappointed.
"I’m not an SJK fan but I’m not a hater either. I'm neutral."
" 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.

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Kind of complication to be in another country

It is not bad overall the story and they are like illegal immigrants to another country. Many complications no doubt and many of the parts are like shortcuts thus make it confusing. If you watch this movie it is like today's immigrants whp do not have a citizenship have to stay put and make sure there is no problem. In all countries there are many illegal immigrants where these people have nowhere to run to due to many things, they have to run all their lives. This is what this story is about . I am surprised Song Joong Ki was picked to this movie but anyway it is emotional too. Thanks for the movie and the excellent casts chosen

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Porta il tuo nome con orgoglio

Song joong ki qui si é veramente messo alla prova e ha dimostrato di essere un attore versatile e bravo; la sua recitazione é ció che piú fa amare questo film.
Altro punto a favore é il tema centrale della storia: la ricerca di un'identitá, indispensabile per poter essere liberi.
Loh kiwan é un disertore della corea del nord, e per non essere deportato deve nascondere la sua identitá quando arriva in Cina.
Quando fugge in Belgio e richiede asilo si trova ad affrontare indifferenza ma anche odio, razzismo ed emarginazione.
Trova aiuto lá dove non ce lo aspetteremmo, da altri uomini e donne che come lui sono in difficoltá e si adattano ad una vita di soppressione e sfruttamento pur di scappare alla repressione e alla paura.
Ad ostacolarlo maggiormente alla fine é la burocrazia dei nostri paesi che non danno garanzia di inclusione , nonostante si pongano come baluardo dei diritti civili.
Alla fine ció che vuole Loh Kiwan non é la cittadinanza belga, ma che questi diritti gli siano riconosciuti, nonostante sia un immigrato clandestino, nonostante sia un apolide, é prima di tutto un essere umano.
Richiede solamente il privilegio di poter vivere portando con orgoglio il proprio nome, simbolo della propria identitá e del legame con la propria famiglia.
Il tutto racchiuso nel titolo del film: "My name is Loh Kiwan".

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Emotional story

I wasn't going to watch this movie. It looked depressing, there seemed like there was going to be a lot of violence in it, and those aren't the types of shows I like. Well, I'm going to have to modify my first impressions, for sure.

The story itself it heart wrenching. Have you ever known anyone that, no matter what they did or tried, they continue to live under a black cloud of misfortune? That was Kiwan and Marie both. They lived lives that we can't even fathom, the kind of lives we wouldn't wish on anyone. This was a story about going on, about not giving up, and also about the strength we get from others. There is romance, but it isn't about the romance at all. That seemed secondary to me. If this is something that matters to you, it has a good ending.

The acting was amazing. Song Joong Ki was mesmerizing, not only from the fact that he looked completely different than anything else I've seen him in, but his deep quiet voice, his economy of movements and his soulful eyes brought Kiwan to life. I really felt for him and kept wanting things to get better for him.
Choi Sung Eun as Marie. This was a character that we've seen in countless dramas, but she played the part without the extreme hardness that I've seen elsewhere. I was rooting for her almost from the beginning, wishing she could catch some kind of break. The love between Kiwan and Marie actually redeemed both of them.
Jo Han Chul as Marie's father. He's very versatile. If seen him in many things where he's the comic relief, or the bumbling fool. I saw his in something else as a psychopath. In this movie, he was a man living with his grief, trying unsuccessfully to have a relationship with his daughter.

The cinematography was interesting. It was darkly filmed, to go along with the darkness of their lives. Early on, on the few occasions that we it lighter, it was more of an artificial light, the kind that gives skin a yellowish hue and you can't tell what color things are. Counteract that with the ending, out in the sunshine (and freedom), it was very effective.

Though they were supposed to be in Belgium, shooting actually took place in Budapest, which was a treat for me after vacationing in Budapest.

My only complaint was the translation done by Netflix. I don't speak a lot of Korean, but "thank you" is not "I love you". Also, when they were attempting to speak English, by saying "I do not speak English", Netflix translated it as "I don't speak French", and then when they were speaking in Korean, the subtitles said, "Speaking in English".

Don't pass over this just because it's not your usual genre. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

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