My Name is Loh Kiwan tells the story of a defector from North Korea to Belgium who meets another troubled soul, and despite their differences, manages to somehow find some common ground. The romantic Netflix film, which is not a true story but is based on a popular Korean novel, is not the first movie to concern itself with the secretive North Korea, so if you enjoyed the romantic drama here are five movies like My Name Is Loh Kiwan with a similar approach to the subject.
5 Movies Like My Name Is Loh Kiwan
6/45 (2022)
Here’s an offering that is much lighter in tone than our featured film, and has its feet planted in the divide between North and South Korea. The film is set around the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea, and the comedy comes from a winning lottery ticket that ends up on the wrong side of the zone and the soldiers that get wrapped up in the tense situation.
The Net (2016)
This tragic and grim drama finds a North Korean fisherman drifting by accident into South Korea, and being picked up by the authorities. The film explores themes of ideology and political suspicion and is a multi-layered look at the danger of thinking in absolutes. More allegorical than literal, this is a deep and often uncomfortable watch, infused with anxiety and frustration and it plays out like a Korean version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
V.I.P (2017)
A man suspected of committing serial murders around the world is being pursued by South Korea, North Korea, and Interpol. The trouble is, the suspect is the son of a high-ranking North Korean official. This is a gripping thriller that does not shy away from the more horrific aspects of the story and also includes some exciting set pieces. However, some reviewers were not too impressed, and despite the excellent cast, it received mixed reviews.
Joint Security Area (2000)
Here’s a gripping mystery thriller with an intriguing and puzzling premise that finds two North Korean soldiers in the DMZ between North and South Korea, that have been killed supposedly by one South Korean soldier. However, the murder weapon can only hold fifteen bullets, and sixteen are accounted for at the crime scene, leading to a neutral investigation trying to uncover what happened. The truth is not what they first suspect.
Meet in Pyongyang
Meet in Pyongyang is a Chinese-North Korean co-production, and is unique as it is the first film with this collaboration in sixty years. It follows the story of two dancers preparing for a big event in the capital, and how they interact with each other. Intriguingly, there are scenes in the film that are filmed on location in Pyongyang, offering a rare look at a city that is very rarely captured on film. The film focuses on the friendship between the two dancers and is often touching, despite some political overtones.
Do you have any recommendations for more movies like My Name Is Loh Kiwan? Let us know in the comments.
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