Is Netflix's My Name Is Loh Kiwan Inspired by True Events?
Explore the emotional journey of Netflix's latest Korean film.
"My Name is Loh Kiwan" is a film that follows the journey of a North Korean defector as he navigates life in China and later in Belgium. Many viewers wonder if this Netflix Korean movie is based on a true story. The movie, directed by Kim Hee-jin, features Song Joong-ki as the main character, Choi Sung-eun as co-lead Lee Marie, and Cho Han-cheul as Lee Youn-sung, Lee Marie's father.
My Name is Loh Kiwan Is Not Based On A True Story
Loh Kiwan escapes from North Korea with his mother and faces challenges as an immigrant in China. This heartfelt movie, part of Netflix's 2024 K-content lineup, tells the emotional tale of a character that viewers quickly empathize with. Alongside Loh is Lee Marie, a former athlete he meets in Belgium, both navigating their own struggles after personal hardships. Join them on their journeys in this character-driven Korean film now available for streaming on Netflix.
Loh Kiwan carrying a backpack and looking up in My Name is Loh Kiwan - My Name is Loh Kiwan Is Not Based On A True Story
Loh Kiwan's journey in Netflix's My Name is Loh Kiwan is a fictional story and not based on a true story. While the movie explores the experiences of an immigrant in a new and unfamiliar country, it is not directly inspired by any specific person or event. Although there are real-life examples of North Korean defectors and their journeys in other countries, Loh Kiwan's story is not a depiction of any particular individual. Instead, it is a work of fiction based on a short novel.
My Name is Loh Kiwan Cast | |
|---|---|
Actor | Character |
Song Joong-ki | Loh Kiwan |
Choi Sung-eun | Lee Marie |
Cho Han-cheul | Lee Youn-sung |
Lee Sang-hee | Kim Seon-ju |
Seo Hyun-woo | Ri Eun-cheol |
The film is told from the perspective of an immigrant throughout an emotional quest.
My Name is Loh Kiwan Is Based On A Book
Naturally, director Kim Hee-jin likely considered real-life cases and events while researching the film. The focus of My Name is Loh Kiwan is on the experiences and challenges of its titular character in China and Belgium, rather than the political and military context of Korea. The film follows an emotional journey from the perspective of an immigrant, and also includes a love story between Loh and Lee.
My Name is Loh Kiwan's Song Joong-ki as the titular character looking up - My Name is Loh Kiwan Is Based On A Book
My Name is Loh Kiwan is not a true story, but it is based on Cho Haejin’s short novel from 2011 called I Met Loh Kiwan. The book, which is 136 pages long, is told from the viewpoint of Kim, a writer for a South Korean TV show. Kim becomes intrigued by Loh Kiwan's story after seeing it on TV and decides to investigate further. The Netflix adaptation of My Name is Loh Kiwan follows a similar storytelling style, with a focus on Loh Kiwan's perspective to make the story more personal.
STREAM ON NETFLIX
Editor's P/S:
I found the article to be informative and interesting. I was particularly intrigued by the fact that the film is not based on a true story, but rather on a short novel. This gives the film a more fictionalized feel, which I think makes it more accessible to a wider audience. I also appreciate that the film focuses on the emotional journey of the characters, rather than the political and military context of Korea.
Overall, I think "My Name is Loh Kiwan" is a well-made film that offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the immigrant experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Korean cinema or in stories about overcoming adversity.
