“Does someone like me even deserve happiness?”
I spent the last few days ruminating on my review for this film because there were so many aspects I wanted to comment on and very little time (and energy, tbh) to actually write something down. So here’s an attempt to encapsulate all of my feelings for Song Joongki’s latest film.
WARNING: Mild spoilers ahead.
Based on a 2013 novel called I Met Loh Kiwan penned by South Korean author Cho Haejin, My Name Is Loh Kiwan tells the poignant story of a North Korean defector who flies to Belgium in search of a better life after his mother’s tragic demise.
Titular character Loh Kiwan (Song Joongki) finds himself seeking asylum in Belgium, where officials are hesitant to grant him refugee settlement benefits because he is undocumented. All he has is a forged passport and an old photo of him and his mother in front of Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea. While waiting to be granted asylum, Kiwan does what he can to feed himself and find a place to rest. An unfortunate incident leads him to meet Marie (Choi Sungeun), a former representative of the Belgian shooting team, who steals his wallet and earns his ire. Although she appears outwardly cold and uncaring, we see a bit of humanity in Marie when she—upon hearing Kiwan’s story and what the wallet and cash meant to him—agrees to return what she stole.
While they form an unlikely friendship that eventually turns to something more, Kiwan also builds connections with his factory co-worker Seonju (Lee Sanghee) and Marie’s father, Yoonsung (Jo Hanchul). And though the journey is rife with struggle and heartbreak, it’s this small network of people that eventually help him achieve his mother’s dream for him: a better life where he could proudly use his own name.
My Name is Loh Kiwan is an emotionally charged movie that explores the plight of refugees in a foreign land and the things they do to go on living. It also touches on the complexities of human relationships and frailties, on consequences that people face when they’re forced to make choices when backed against a corner. If you’re a cryer like me, it’s safe to say you’ll find yourself in tears many times throughout this film. I’ve seen it twice and some parts hit me harder the second time around.
The main narrative arc was easy to follow. Kiwan struggles as he seeks asylum in a foreign land, meets people who help him along in his quest, finds someone to love, and eventually gets his goal. It was Marie’s arc that kind of confused me and I’m kind of wondering if this is because she’s a character who was only created for the film. How did she become part of that underground gang and why is she in debt? What kind of gang is it exactly and what are the rules in this underground other than “you owe me money so I own you” and “if you don’t agree with me, I’ll kill you”? Don’t get me wrong; I don’t hate it. I just thought it was not fleshed out well, and I feel like doing so would extend the movie by another 30 minutes.
I also had questions about the time setting as I was watching the film. I initially thought it was set in the 90s or early 2000s, but got surprised when I saw a character using a smartphone. For some reason I felt like the original material happened in another decade, and was only revised to fit the present time. There was also a scene which I felt was too contrived, only placed there to up the tension and drama. I’m not too mad about it though. 😛
But overall, I felt like My Name is Loh Kiwan delivered in the aspect I truly care about: emotional pay-off. I’d have hated to see Kiwan’s struggles for two hours if he ended up dying hungry in the streets or forever parted from the woman he loves. I mean there’s an audience for that type of movie, but it’s not me. I like it when my main characters get what they want at the end of their long, tumultuous hero’s journey, and this film gave me that.
Technically speaking there were scenes that were really dimly lit (and this has been a running theme I feel for recent movies) and I would have appreciated better lighting. But some shots were really pretty, and the sound design helped amplify certain moments in the story well.
It’s my first time seeing actress Choi Sungeun in anything, and I’m very impressed with the way she carried herself among some big names in the industry. Her excellent portrayal of the broken soul that is Marie left me wanting to see more of her in other productions. Also, I don’t know how to speak French, but she sounded like she knew what she was doing! Her chemistry with Joongki was very palpable too—which is a great thing to have especially in a story where you need to root for the main characters to be together.
Jo Hanchul was on point, as always, as Marie’s grieving father whose daughter has shut him out of her life. And Lee Sanghee (also my first time watching anything of hers) shone so brightly as Seonju—easily my favorite character in the film apart from Kiwan. She was able to make me laugh and cry, and most importantly, care for her enough to root for her.
Finally, Song Joongki…ah. What else can I say about this fine, fine actor? Even after years and years of following his career, he keeps me interested in his acting choices and I am always in awe over the way he embodies all of the characters he’s played. You don’t notice it at first but he switches things up when he plays a different character. Sometimes it’s the way he smiles, the way he carries himself, the tone of voice…even the way his eyes move is different. He doesn’t disappoint, and that’s what I love about him as an actor. I am assured each time that I will be getting a great performance. I believe that My Name is Loh Kiwan is one of his best works yet, and something him and his fans could really be proud of.
As a final note, I’ve seen people on X expressing their disappointment over My Name is Loh Kiwan opting to highlight the romance arc rather than the refugee arc. And while these sentiments are valid, I believe that calling it “just a sappy romantic movie” is doing the film a disservice. It’s a human drama that told the various experiences of foreigners trying to survive in another country, and humans can fall in love, regardless of status.
And as I write this review, I think back on Kiwan’s mother’s last wish for her son—to survive, to live proudly with his own name, and lead a good life. For me, leading a good life doesn’t only mean getting a good job, a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and meals three times a day. It also means creating deep human connections that enrich your life. A life lived well is a life where you loved well, and I feel like the last sequence of My Name is Loh Kiwan conveys that.
Total run time: 133 min
Where to watch: Netflix
Trigger warnings: parental death (backstory), vehicular accident, terminal illness, suicide attempt, workplace discrimination, violence, substance abuse
Overall rating
