My Name is Loh Kiwan is not a true story, though it deals with many relatable universal themes. The Netflix film is based on a Korean novel and follows the story of a North Korean defector escaping to Belgium in an attempt to live on his own terms, and to honor the dying wish of his mother. He finds unlikely common ground with a woman and their stories intertwine throughout the film, touching on various important issues like immigration, belonging, family, and human connection.
Is My Name Is Loh Kiwan based on a true story?
Despite the themes in the film that may resonate with viewers, My Name Is Loh Kiwan is fictitious and is not based on a true story. Some viewers of the film have become so invested in the lives of the characters that they felt it may have been based on real events, but the story is adapted from a fictional Korean novel.
My Name Is Loh Kiwan is based on the Korean book I Met Loh Kiwan. The novel was first published in 2011 by Cho Hae-jin. but since then it has been translated into English, making it more accessible for a global readership. The popularity of the book would eventually lead to the film adaptation.
Who wrote the novel?
The short novel was written by Cho Hae-jin, a South Korean writer born in Seoul in 1976. Cho Hae-jin has written three collections of short stories, and four novels including this one. In 2008, she spent time working in Poland, teaching the Korean language at university.
Although at first sight, you might think that the film is more of a commentary on the nature of being an immigrant and the political ramifications of living in a country where you feel you don’t belong, My Name Is Loh Kiwan succeeds better at exploring the two main characters and their relationship. In this respect, the film is very much a love story. In our review, we said:
Instead of being political and drawing attention to the minefield which is immigration, difficult systems, and the form this takes, the film opts for romance. This feels easy and at times disappointing as their romance is from a shared nationality and nothing much else.
The chemistry between the two leads adds to the atmosphere of the story and is the real focus of the film.
Production Timeline
From page to screen, here’s a brief summary of how My Name Is Loh Kiwan came to be:
- The book that the film was based on, I Met Loh Kiwan, was published in 2019.
- After acquiring the rights, there was quite a quick turnaround and Netflix revealed in February 2023 that the project was green-lit.
- Casting for the film was announced on February 8 2023.
- By the 24th of the month, actor Song Joong-ki posted a photo on social media that revealed that filming had started.
- In January 2024, the official release date was announced
Netflix film #MyNameisLohKiwan will be released on March 1st.#??? #SongJoongKi #ChoiSungEun #ChoHanCheol #KimSungRyung #LeeIlHwa #LeeSangHee #SeoHyunWoo pic.twitter.com/77gIXkCnO9
— ? (@ggonigone) January 5, 2024
- My Name Is Loh Kiwan debuted on Netflix on March 1st, 2024.
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