Movie Review | My Name Is Loh Ki Wan

While resting and recovering from a migraine and fatigue, I decided to watch a movie on Netflix. Without any particular choice in mind, I picked a film from my to-watch list: My Name Is Loh Kiwan. I had never heard of this film before, and I chose it primarily because I am not generally up to date on entertainment trends. However, after reading the synopsis, I realized that Song Joong Ki stars as the lead. While I wouldn't call myself a fan, I recall watching Descendants of the Sun years ago and thinking he was cute. So I gave it a shot.

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Kim Hee Jin directs this South Korean film, which stars Song Joong Ki as Loh Ki Wan. The film is based on Cho Hae Jin's novel I Met Loh Kiwan.

Plot Summary

Loh Ki Wan is a North Korean defector who escapes to Yanji, China, with his mother. While in Yanji, he becomes embroiled in a brawl, which puts him on the police's wanted list. His mother hides him while attempting to flee China and obtain asylum in Belgium. Tragically, his mother dies in a car accident while attempting to flee. Left alone, Loh Ki Wan's uncle sells his mother's body to a hospital to fund his journey, which includes purchasing a plane ticket and the necessary documentation to seek asylum in Belgium.

When Loh Ki Wan arrives in Belgium, he battles with the asylum process, cultural alienation, and survival in a foreign country. Along the way, he develops an unlikely friendship with Marie, a troubled woman dealing with her own inner demons.

My Review

• Eye-Opening Themes

Before watching this film, I must admit that I knew almost nothing about refugees' challenges. It awakened my eyes to the major challenges they face, such as human trafficking and labor exploitation. The film paints a bleak but honest image of these issues, leaving me deeply saddened and reflective.

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• Song Joong Ki’s Performance

Song Joong Ki's portrayal of Loh Ki Wan was excellent. For once, we see him stripped of the polished, heroic image that he frequently portrays. Instead, he portrays a vulnerable, barefaced man who is alone, afraid, and struggling to survive in an unfamiliar country where he cannot even speak the language. His nuanced performance was a highlight of the film.

• Cinematography

The cinematography was stunning; however, it relied heavily on gloomy and somber tones. While this matched the tone of the story, it felt excessively depressing at times. A little more visual balance would have made the film more compelling.

• Marie’s Character

At first, I thought Marie's character insufferable. She comes across as spoiled, ungrateful, and reckless due to her involvement with drugs and the mafia, as well as stealing from Loh Ki Wan to pay off her debts. However, as the story progressed, I began to sympathize with her problems and viewed her as a multifaceted woman with deep wounds of her own.

• The Romance

Loh Ki Wan and Marie's relationship was a slow burn—both awkward and romantic. Their bond felt genuine, as two damaged souls sought solace in one another in the middle of a cruel world. I really liked how Loh Ki Wan saw past Marie's tough-girl persona and fought for her, giving a sympathetic, human touch to the plot.

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• Missed opportunities

While the relationship was heartfelt, I wish the film had focused more on Loh Ki Wan's hardships in Belgium—his battles to adjust, his fight for refugee status, and his personal growth. These elements were significantly more fascinating than Marie's mafia subplot, which seemed needless and overly theatrical. The killing subplot, in particular, looked like an unusual addition that took away from the primary storyline.

• The Ending

The ending feels rushed. Instead of showing a heartfelt journey of Loh Ki Wan's eventual refugee status or delving deeper into his reunion with Marie, the movie concluded with a clichéd scene of them running into each other's arms. It left me wanting more depth and closure.

• Cultural Representation

One notable part of the film was its portrayal of Belgians. The film portrayed most Belgian characters as cold and rude to refugees. While this may reflect certain realities, including kind and supportive characters would have provided a more balanced perspective.

Final Thoughts

My Name Is Loh Kiwan has some highlights, particularly Song Joong Ki's performance and the touching romance. However, it fell short in numerous ways, including a rushed ending, needless subplots, and an underdeveloped emphasis on Loh Ki Wan's refugee experience. If the creators had toned down the romance and omitted the mafia storyline, the film could have been more powerful and focused.

For me, it's a so-so film—not the finest, but also not the worst. I would rate it a 6 out of 10. If you appreciate slow-paced dramas with emotional depth, it's worth seeing, but don't anticipate a perfect masterpiece.

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