CinemaClown Kim Jee-woon's sophomore effort is a brilliantly crafted & well balanced comedy set in the world of professional wrestling. Powered by Song Kang-ho's impressive performance and covering the themes of job frustration, transformation, passion & loneliness, it is an amusing ride that never discards its human attributes.The story of The Foul King follows an incompetent bank clerk who's late to work everyday and is the object of his boss' frustrations. A lifelong fan of professional wrestling, his life undergoes a transformation after he decides to take up a career in the sports entertainment, and adopts the moniker "The Foul King" in the ring.Written & directed by Kim Jee-woon, his second collaboration with Song Kang-ho is more reserved & reflective when compared to their previous outing, for the duo make sure the story is engaging & full of laughter but also thoughtful & relatable. The film takes its time to set up the premise and unfolds at a slower pace but the interest is never lost.Kim's direction captures the world of professional wrestling with an affectionate & nostalgic eye but he also keeps looking for moments that allow for witty touches to keep the comedic vibe alive. Camerawork is energetic for scenes set in the ring while silent & static at other times. Editing & pacing could've been better, for the film feels slightly longer than it needed to be.Coming to the performances, Song Kang-ho steers The Foul King past finish line almost single-handedly and delivers a smashing showcase that gets more n more compelling as plot progresses. His antics in the ring are no doubt a treat to watch but it's the transformation that his character undergoes and how finely the actor articulates it that leaves a lasting impression. And he's well supported by the rest of the cast.On an overall scale, The Foul King is yet another fascinating feature from Kim Jee-woon that presents the then-new filmmaker developing his own unique voice and further establishes Song Kang-ho as a promising talent. A delight for all whether you are fan of professional wrestling or not, The Foul King is one of the best films about professional wrestling and certainly the funniest. Totally worth your time & money, this comedy-drama comes definitely recommended.

lastliberal I have seen Kang-ho Song in many films: Thirst; The Good, the Bad, the Weird; The Host; Sympathy for Lady Vengeance; Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance; Joint Security Area; Shiri; and now, The Foul King.There is no doubt about his acting abilities, not of director Ji-woon Kim, who kept things moving and presented a good film.It was a drama about a man that had no confidence in himself, and developed it only when he took up wrestling. Hiding behind a mask allowed him to be someone else. You can guess the eventual outcome.It was funny at the same time. Unfortunately, it is not the humor that I especially enjoy. If there was an American remake, it would easily feature Adam Sandler - not a great recommendation.

anthropomorphisminc I watched this film in a park on my laptop, and ended up attracting crowds of people staring at the hysterically laughing foreigner. I figured after having already seen it once, it would be safe to try again as I was waiting on a bus, but the same unrestrained hysterics ensued. As soon as the bus stopped, I made a beeline for the first dvd shop and bought my own copy.For a film about a masked wrestler, there is surprisingly little cheesiness to this film. We follow a downtrodden banker as he invests his self esteem in the sport, and first see it treated in a very realistic, everyday way, without dramatic music or camera angles and are allowed to see the inherent ridiculousness of it. As the film builds up, and becomes more stylized, it hasn't made a grand statement about wrestling, but allows it to be seen as reality.With this, the fight sequences become one aspect, while the real heart of the movie are the Mr. Bean like physical comedy bits where the main character tries to get respect in his everyday life. While a few key scenes take place in the ring, the best bits are in the office, on the street or in the park. In tone, pacing and style of humor, I'd call this film the Office Space of Korean cinema.

vanrosss This outrageous comedy was a box office smash in Korea for a reason. It was hilarious and poignant! The direction was terrific as the tone was always right on, and placed every event into the evolution of the story. The absurd slapstick humor hides the statement about barriers of social status and changes to one's life. The performances make this film even more outstanding.