At a movie talk event, actor Song Joong-ki recently discussed his thoughts on playing Kiwan in the Netflix film "My Name is Loh Kiwan."
The film, which was directed by Kim Hee-jin, tells the tale of Marie, a lady who is having difficulty finding her own purpose in life, and Kiwan, a North Korean defector who finds hope in Belgium. Kiwan, portrayed by Song Joong-ki, encounters several obstacles in his struggle to survive.
Song Joong-ki talked about his method for capturing Kiwan's suffering and will to survive throughout the event. He remembered a touching occasion when his North Korean language instructor opened out to him about personal experiences that had a profound impact on him. "It was very painful to listen to them talk so calmly about such a serious matter," he said, choosing a less dramatic way to elicit feelings from the audience.
Another topic of discussion among the crowd was a famous movie line: "Do we deserve to be happy?" This led to a more extensive conversation about the right to happiness, during which Song Joong-ki stated that he thought everyone has the right to happiness just by virtue of being human, regardless of their circumstances.
When considering the film's influence, Song Joong-ki highlighted how it could encourage reflection and empathy. After seeing the movie, he related a personal story about writing a letter to a friend who had passed away, illustrating how it may elicit deep connections and thoughtful contemplation on life.
Song Joong-ki concluded by expressing his hope that "My Name is Loh Kiwan" will inspire viewers to consider the happiness of persons in their immediate vicinity. He urged everyone to participate in the movie-inspired letter-writing exercise, which would build relationships and disseminate the message of compassion and understanding.
