Ko-ri-a

This movie is amazing! The first half hour is a bit 'meh', but after that, the story really kicks in and it is absolutely stunning. I have to admit, I purchased this film because I love Table Tennis, but even if you don't love Table Tennis, you will enjoy this film. The acting of the main, and secondary characters is astounding. I absolutely recommend this film. Just remember to have a box of tissues handy.

This is simple yarn about the North and South Korean table tennis teams reluctantly joining forces to beat the (evil) Chinese team.

The plot is very basic and the characters are fairly simplistic, yet it all works very well. The characters appear a bit foppish but having spent a little time in Eastern Asia I discovered that the youth (despite having more responsibilities than their Western counterparts) tend to have more of a child hood and are not afraid to be naive.

The 'kids' in this film have great energy and their uncomplicated outlook is refreshing when most young people in recent films (especially UK movies) tend to be drug dealers, murderers or possessed by an evil spirit. This was very refreshing.

It takes a stab at dealing with the division of Korea but this film is not equipped to handle such issues; like expecting 'Bring it on' to grapple with race relations in the U.S.

Don't expect too much depth but expect a few grins and a general sense of well being.

Now the plot and direction of this movie is pretty darn generic when it comes to sports/drama movies. But it's still a entertaining and tear jerking movie. Even if this movie goes in a very predictable direction, it just wasn't boring and is fun to watch most of the way through. The generic story of team members not getting along but putting there difference aside, become friends or at least respect each other and put there efforts to try and defeat there opponents team has been done many times. But it's the bond between the characters and because all the characters become so darn likable and cool by the end I ended up enjoying this generic flick. Now this is based on a true story but has kinda irrelevant subplots in it but it didn't get to the point where it got annoying or anything like that. Ha Ji-Won and Bae Doo-Na's characters are based on actual athletes and they make a dynamic team. They are both so cool and likable in this movie even if Ha Ji-Won's character in this can be a bit of a goody two shoes. The side characters was likable and was enjoyable to see on screen, especially Choi Yoon-Young. I don't know how much of this movie is CGI and real ping pong players taking the place of the actresses when it comes to the ping pong scenes. But everything was believable and I bought into these actresses really being professional ping pong players and it was just hot to see them play. Overall this is a exciting and entertaining sports/drama that is worth a watch despite the plot lacking invigorating elements.

7.2/10

North-south topic is the favorite genre of korean movie because its usually will become a box-office movie such as JSA, Secret Reunion and The Front Line. Although I'm not korean but I can felt what every korean feel about their country, yeah they are still sibling and nothing can separate a family bond. That's fact.

Too focus for the ping pong game and less intention for the story development, character's background and many unneeded action. Maybe its not what I expected but the story get its gear bit by bit until honestly my tear explode.It is a light movie actually.

If you love sport movie, this is exactly what you want, you can see every detail of play, so breathtaking till you cannot take off your eyes from the ball. Real exciting! This movie have a big meaning for korean and it did well as it can to satisfy all Korea. Recommended! Very worth watching and sweet!

Sports is universal.

That's what brought the two Koreas together. Its a touching re-telling of the actual success and hardship of having two Korean teams come together to win the biggest ping-pong match ever. Hats off to the actresses who trained hard from being total noobs to credibly skillful table-tennis players. They were extremely convincing on-screen. I had no idea it was possible for actresses to play like pros in just a few months.

Love the true story. Deeply touched by it. Shed tears of pain & joy watching it. Worth it!