Song Joong-ki makes an extraordinary transformation as North Korean defector ‘Ro Ki-wan’

Actors Song Joong-ki, Choi Seong-eong, Jo Han-cheol, Kim Seong-ryeong, Lee Il-hwa, Lee Sang-hee, and Seo Hyun-woo are coming together for the Netflix movie 'Ro Ki-wan'.

On the 7th, Netflix confirmed the production of 'Ro Ki-wan' and revealed a solid casting lineup. 'Ro Ki-wan' is a film depicting the meeting, parting, and love between Ki-wan, a North Korean defector who arrived in Belgium with the last hope of life, and Marie, a woman who has lost her reason for living.

Song Joong-ki predicted another unprecedented transformation as a North Korean defector in the play. Expectations are high on what kind of new side he will show as Ro Ki-wan, who fights to be recognized as a refugee, his only hope, in Belgium, a distant and unfamiliar land in Europe, where he left without anything.

Choi Seong-eun plays Marie, a former Korean shooting athlete with Belgian nationality. Unlike Ro Ki-wan, who came to Belgium to live, Marie, who has lost her reason to live, is a character who unintentionally falls in love with Ro Ki-wan after their first meeting, with whom they have a bad relationship. Song Joong-ki and Choi Sung-ki, who play characters in extreme situations, are curious about the chemistry the two actors will portray.

Jo Han-cheol played the role of Yun-seong, Marie's father. Additionally, Kim Seong-ryeong was chosen to play the role of Ok-hee, the mother who becomes the decisive reason why Ro Ki-wan heads to Belgium. Lee Il-hwa played the role of Jeong-ju, Marie's mother, and Lee Sang-hee played the role of Seon-ju, an ethnic Korean who Ro Ki-wan meets at a Belgian factory. Seo Hyun-woo appears as Eun-cheol, Ro Ki-wan's maternal uncle, completing the power ensemble of 'Ro Ki-wan'.

From North Korea through Yanbian to Belgium. The lineup of talented actors who will add three-dimensional fun to Ro Ki-wan's long journey for freedom is the biggest reason to look forward to 'Ro Ki-wan'. For director Kim Hee-jin, who even wrote the screenplay himself, 'Ro Ki-wan' is his debut feature film, and expectations are high to see how his strengths of not missing emotional details and delicate drama between characters will be displayed. Yong Film's work, which has produced productions such as 'Call', '20th Century Girls', and 'Believer', further adds credibility.

Through the turbulent journey and struggle of Ro Ki-wan, a North Korean defector who had to escape for his life, and the meeting between Ro Ki-wan, who wants to live, and Mari, who thinks there is no reason to live, 'Ro Ki-wan' will show the feelings of those who are pushed to the limit and embrace each other. And 'Ro Ki-wan', which is expected to feature an ensemble of talented actors who will portray the colorful characters that arise between the two, will be released only through Netflix.

Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr