'The Foul King' Video Received Enthusiastically By Movie Fans
Published: 04 Jan. 2003, 19:41
The wrestling comedy "The Foul King" was recently selected as one of the most popular videos of 2000 in Korea.
"The Foul King," directed by Kim Jee-woon, was ranked fourth in a survey conducted by Utum Bugum, a club for video stores in the YMCA organization, according to Min Kyung-a, a YMCA public information officer.
In this annual survey, Utum Bugum records video rental sales from Jan. 1 to Nov. 10 at its membership stores across the country.
"As far as rental videos are concerned, Koreans like action movies － anything from Hollywood or Hong Kong," said Miss Min. "This year there were many good Korean films that attracted public attention, and 'The Foul King' was a success in both domestic and international markets."
Most Koreans agree that the film's popularity comes from viewers being able to relate to the main character, Yim Dae-ho, played by Song Gang-ho.
"The main character represents the human being in all of us. I can really relate to him as a white-collar worker. We have little power and deep inside our hearts we want to be more," said Roh Young-yoo, a secretary.
"The Foul King" is about a timid and frustrated banker, Dae-ho, who leads a boring life and endures daily harassment at work. His boss, a power-obsessed bank manager, loves to physically humiliate Dae-ho by putting him in headlocks. He escapes his routine existence and finds passion in wrestling. Through constant discipline and training, he gains the self-confidence to cope with his personal and professional problems.
The film treats Dae-ho's transformation from a weak, shy man into a ruthless wrestler with plenty of humor.
The movie contains few actual wrestling scenes, though it does boast a spectacular fight scene at the end.
Kim Jee-woon made his directorial debut in 1998 with the hit, "The Quiet Family." The talented cast of "The Foul King," his latest film, includes Jang Ji-young, Park Sang-myun and of course Song Gang-ho, who found stardom with his humorous and realistic portrayal of Dae-ho. The actor is known for his supporting roles in films such as "The Quiet Family" and "Shiri."
"The Foul King," directed by Kim Jee-woon, was ranked fourth in a survey conducted by Utum Bugum, a club for video stores in the YMCA organization, according to Min Kyung-a, a YMCA public information officer.
In this annual survey, Utum Bugum records video rental sales from Jan. 1 to Nov. 10 at its membership stores across the country.
"As far as rental videos are concerned, Koreans like action movies － anything from Hollywood or Hong Kong," said Miss Min. "This year there were many good Korean films that attracted public attention, and 'The Foul King' was a success in both domestic and international markets."
Most Koreans agree that the film's popularity comes from viewers being able to relate to the main character, Yim Dae-ho, played by Song Gang-ho.
"The main character represents the human being in all of us. I can really relate to him as a white-collar worker. We have little power and deep inside our hearts we want to be more," said Roh Young-yoo, a secretary.
"The Foul King" is about a timid and frustrated banker, Dae-ho, who leads a boring life and endures daily harassment at work. His boss, a power-obsessed bank manager, loves to physically humiliate Dae-ho by putting him in headlocks. He escapes his routine existence and finds passion in wrestling. Through constant discipline and training, he gains the self-confidence to cope with his personal and professional problems.
The film treats Dae-ho's transformation from a weak, shy man into a ruthless wrestler with plenty of humor.
The movie contains few actual wrestling scenes, though it does boast a spectacular fight scene at the end.
Kim Jee-woon made his directorial debut in 1998 with the hit, "The Quiet Family." The talented cast of "The Foul King," his latest film, includes Jang Ji-young, Park Sang-myun and of course Song Gang-ho, who found stardom with his humorous and realistic portrayal of Dae-ho. The actor is known for his supporting roles in films such as "The Quiet Family" and "Shiri."
by Kim Jae-seon
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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