Home > Drama >

The Foul King

Watch Now

The Foul King (2000)

March. 24,2001
|
6.9
| Drama Comedy
Watch Now

An incompetent bank clerk decides to become a pro wrestler but he is coached to cheat all the time.

...

Watch Trailer

Cast

Similar titles

Reviews

Lumsdal
2001/03/24

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

More
Acensbart
2001/03/25

Excellent but underrated film

More
Brendon Jones
2001/03/26

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

More
Zandra
2001/03/27

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

More
CinemaClown
2001/03/28

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.

More
FilmCriticLalitRao
2001/03/29

Human beings are strange as they are engaged in a constant tussle with their alter egos. There is no rest for them as their minds are plagued with constant thoughts about a perpetual struggle which would be somebody's gain at the cost of somebody's loss. This strangeness enables them to emerge as powerful persons with absolute control over their lives. South Korean film 'The Foul King' is about the secret life of an ordinary bank employee who makes the most of his after work wresting sessions to emerge as a physically as well as emotionally stronger human being. It is nice to watch our hero as the tough guy in appearance but soft at heart. However, a mean bank boss is going to experience the wrath of audiences for having used unparalleled physical force against a weak person. Every act of success comes with a price tag attached to it. For the film's protagonist Dae-Ho,it is the lack of romance which shatters him the most. However,director Kim Jee Woon has constructed his imaginative screenplay in such a manner that the weak man is able to redeem his lost honor when his bully father recognizes his physical prowess. Although featuring WWF style wresting, 'The Foul King' appears more a drama film due to its pacing which is very regular. Its universal appeal lies in the fact that all countries have the fair share of "The Foul King' .

More
lastliberal
2001/03/30

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.

More
anthropomorphisminc
2001/03/31

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.

More