My Name Is Loh Kiwan

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.

This movie should have two specific ratings. The main actors (korean) are outstanding, moving and can play. The love story is on point and I loved it. However living in Belgium I'm sad to say that the story happening in Brussels and imagined to create some twists and turns is nothing more than laughable and makes no sense. The actors are (almost) all bad bad. The way they talk is weird. The situation in which the main actors are trapped seems directly invented by an 8 years old. It's almost as if this movie was directed by two different persons. One is a genius and handles the Korean part of the movie, and one handles the Belgian part of the movie and should find himself a new occupation. That being said I loved this movie and would totally watch it again. You just have to disregard 30% of it and let the wonderful 70% steal your tears.

All the potential is there for a great story to be told. A real story, inspired in real people, and a cruel reality (trust me, I am Belgian and have worked with refugees). Two main actors that at least know how to act, and even some side roles can stand the heat. Instead, Netflix decided to shoot this one in a country faked as Belgium (hard to watch), with second rate Western actors, second rate set dressing, horrible music and worst of all the worst script and dialogues ever.

I truely hope that somehow the Korean spoken by the main character is truly resembling the North Korean speach. Shame on Netflix, far below mediocre.

I don't get the hate it gets. Sure people thought it would focus on more in the part how did he get out of North Korea, but from the trailer and the info we got I knew it would focus more on how he lives in Belgium. I think it was interesting story and the acting was great. Only the drug parts kinda threw me off but it was only small parts. I have been waiting for a realistic, not over dramatic and romantic movie and I think this was it. Normally I don't even watch movies but this was the only exception. All together I think it was touching story and didn't have those awkward over acting scenes so it gets 8/10.

This tale will tear at your heart but also soar you to heights of happiness. This movie captivates, draws you in and enable you to feel the pains, hardships and joy that Lo Kiwon faces.

A must see. It takes us through a journey forged in pain and desperation and ends with love and hope.

There is no added fluff. This is a gritty tale that is probably all too real.a tale that comfortable people may find very uncomftable to learn.

Sitting in a warm spacious room in Maryland USA, it's hard to imagine what emigrants face. This movie is a first person rendition of the terrible plight of the immigrant, even in enlightened countries.

Don't we all deserve the freedom to live a full life?

The characters were very real, from his mom, friends and relatives, to the people who harbored him, fed him, worked with him, to the woman who entered his life as a villain and became a love.

Please watch this movie. It's making me be more proactive and human.