Decoding the Conclusion of Loh Kiwan: A Comprehensive Analysis

Netflix's K-drama My Name Is Loh Kiwan is a mix of tragedy and heartbreak, but it ultimately ends on a lighter note. The story of Loh Kiwan, a North Korean defector adjusting to life in Belgium, is not based on a true story, but the plot and characters feel very realistic. Starring Song Joong-ki as Loh Kiwan and Choi Sung-eun as Lee Marie, the film follows their unlikely love story as they navigate challenges and unexpected twists.

With its intriguing premise and emotional moments, My Name is Loh Kiwan has the potential to become one of the top Korean dramas on Netflix. The blend of romance and drama creates a captivating narrative with characters that draw viewers in. While primarily a drama, the movie also has elements that could make it one of the best romance films on Netflix, especially with its satisfying ending.

Loh Kiwan And Lee Marie End Up Together

Lee Marie (Choi Sung-eun) and Loh Kiwan (Song Joong-ki) embrace on a beach at the end of My Name is Loh Kiwan - Loh Kiwan And Lee Marie End Up Together

Lee Marie Forgave Lee Youn-sung For Her Mother's Death

In a rare happy moment in an otherwise quite sad movie, Loh Kiwan and Lee Marie were able to be together at the end. There were several moments where it did not seem like their relationship could survive, but they were both able to persevere. The country Lee Marie fled to was never revealed, but Loh Kiwan was able to find her again once he could leave Belgium. My Name is Loh Kiwan ended with the couple embracing on a beach, far away from the problems they had in Belgium.

Lee Marie (Choi Sung-eun) hugs Lee Youn-sung (Cho Han-cheul) from the back seat of the car, with both characters crying in My Name is Loh Kiwan - Lee Marie Forgave Lee Youn-sung For Her Mother's Death

Throughout the movie My Name is Loh Kiwan, Lee Marie was angry with her father for what she thought was euthanizing her mother. However, by the end of the film, she was able to forgive him. A flashback revealed that Lee Marie's mother had actually asked her father to end her suffering, and to keep it a secret from their daughter. Lee Marie found it in her heart to forgive her father because she realized that she also wanted to end her mother's suffering, a feeling she had never openly expressed. This revelation showed that while Lee Marie was saddened by her mother's passing, she also comprehended her father's actions.

Loh Kiwan Received Refugee Status

Loh Kiwan (Song Joong-ki) wears a translator ear piece and stands in front of a microphone during his trial to determine if he applies for Belgian refugee status in My Name is Loh Kiwan - Loh Kiwan Received Refugee Status

Loh Kiwan had to put aside his refugee status hearing to help Lee Marie, who was being threatened by gamblers. His brave actions saved her life, but it also put his own refugee application in limbo. Eventually, he did receive his refugee status, but by then, Lee Marie had already left Belgium. Since he wasn't officially recognized as a refugee yet, he couldn't leave with her and had to wait for the legal process to be resolved.

Despite facing betrayal from his coworkers at the meat packing plant earlier, Loh Kiwan was still able to obtain refugee status. Kim Seon-ju, one of the coworkers who had deceived him, later came forward to admit the truth. She had falsely claimed that Loh Kiwan was Chinese, not a North Korean defector, to protect her job. Although her visa was revoked and her family deported, Kim Seon-ju ultimately redeemed herself by providing evidence that proved Loh Kiwan's true identity. With support from lawyers and advocacy groups, Loh Kiwan was able to remain in Belgium and rebuild his life.

Why Loh Kiwan Left Belgium And What It Means For His Refugee Status Explained

Loh Kiwan (Song Joong-ki) buys a plane ticket to leave Belgium at the end of My Name is Loh Kiwan - Why Loh Kiwan Left Belgium And What It Means For His Refugee Status Explained

Why Loh Kiwan Saw His Mother Again

Loh Kiwan didn't enjoy his refugee status in Belgium for long. In the story, it was shown that he was buying a plane ticket just a year later. Despite knowing that his rights as a refugee wouldn't be valid in other countries and he would likely face poverty again, he didn't mind. Loh Kiwan didn't seek a country; he sought a home. Finding that home in Lee Marie, he decided to follow her wherever she went.

Loh Kiwan (Song Joong-ki) looking at his mother, Ok Hee (Kim Sung-ryung) while standing on a street corner in My Name is Loh Kiwan - Why Loh Kiwan Saw His Mother Again

Loh Kiwan literally let go in both scenes, but he only metaphorically let go at the end, as he had finally come to terms with his mother's death.

At the end of the movie, Loh Kiwan's mother, Ok Hee, appeared beside him at a crosswalk. She had passed away earlier in the film after being hit by a truck while helping Loh Kiwan escape from the police in China. Loh Kiwan had been living in her memory, fulfilling her dying wish for him to find a fulfilling life without her. Ok Hee reappeared to him because he had finally found his own path in life and a reason to move forward with Lee Marie.

In the crosswalk scene, Ok Hee remained stationary even as Loh Kiwan tried to lead her forward by the hand. This mirrored her death at the start of the movie, when Loh Kiwan had to release her hand to evade the pursuing police. Loh Kiwan physically let go in both instances, but emotionally, he only truly let go at the end, having accepted his mother's passing.

My Name Is Loh Kiwan's True Meaning Explained

Loh Kiwan (Song Joong-ki) and Lee Marie (Choi Sung-eun) hold hands as they walk towards the airport gate at the end of My Name is Loh Kiwan - My Name Is Loh Kiwan's True Meaning Explained

In the movie, Loh Kiwan and Lee Marie went through unimaginable hardships. They faced pain, abuse, poverty, and the loss of a loved one. At times, they felt hopeless, like when Loh Kiwan tried to harm himself after his mother's passing and Lee Marie sank deeper into addiction. However, the key lesson from My Name is Loh Kiwan is that perseverance pays off. Despite their struggles, both Loh Kiwan and Lee Marie found happiness by not giving up on life.

My Name is Loh Kiwan also sheds light on the challenges faced by refugees and homeless individuals. Throughout the film, Loh Kiwan was mistreated by those around him, including kids who bullied him and drunk men who blamed him for their own actions. The movie also highlights the flaws in the refugee application process, as Loh Kiwan had to endure harsh conditions while waiting for bureaucratic decisions. When he asked how he would survive the harsh Belgian winter, the translator simply told him to "hang in there."

Loh Kiwan shared a realistic story that touched on serious topics, but the dark themes only served to enhance the heartwarming ending. Despite facing numerous challenges, the reunion between Loh Kiwan and Lee Marie on the beach felt truly deserved and fulfilling. "My Name is Loh Kiwan" possesses a distinctive and captivating mix of elements, all of which are skillfully utilized to bring the story and its characters to a satisfying conclusion.

Editor's P/S:

"My Name Is Loh Kiwan" is a captivating and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of loss, love, and the resilience of the human spirit. The story of Loh Kiwan and Lee Marie is both heartbreaking and uplifting, as they navigate unimaginable challenges with determination and compassion.

The film's portrayal of the refugee experience is particularly poignant, highlighting the struggles and injustices faced by those seeking asylum. Loh Kiwan's journey from North Korea to Belgium is fraught with obstacles and prejudice, but he perseveres with unwavering hope. His relationship with Lee Marie, a young woman grappling with her own demons, provides a glimmer of light amidst the darkness. Together, they find solace and support, reminding us of the power of human connection. The film's conclusion, with Loh Kiwan and Lee Marie finding happiness on a distant shore, offers a sense of hope and redemption, leaving the audience with a lasting impression of the resilience and indomitable spirit that resides within us all.