Stellead
Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful
Mandeep Tyson
The acting in this movie is really good.
Zandra
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.
FilmCriticLalitRao
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' .
Vultural ~
Alright fight fans! Meek, lower tier bank clerk enters the glamorous world of arena wrestling. He finds a gym, an old wrestler, now disgraced trainer. Clerk learns dirty tricks, and wears the mask of the villain! By turns funny and sad, the latter involving his depressing workplace and the way others view him. Once that mask is donned, though, beware the tiger. Laugh out loud film with outrageous, no holds barred, final act. Early film of Kang-ho Song whose profile swiftly climbed in the West thanks to Sympathy For Mr Vengeance, The Host, The Good, The Bad, And The Weird, most recently Snowpiercer. Suggested double feature pairing - Andy Kaufman's I'm From Hollywood.
Jon Sturgess
As a long term wrestling fan in Australia I viewed this movie with some trepidation based on the description in our cable movie guide. I was pleased to find the 'blurb' was nothing like the real thing and my interest was well rewarded.As others reviewers have commented, this film is a mix of two themes interwoven with action/comedy sequences and the boringness of being in banking.My only disappointment was the ending. Perhaps because I am not Korean I may have missed the significance of some key things along the way.This is a great film for those who enjoy a good laugh, some great wrestling action wrapped in a cultural gentleness which could teach us in 'the west' something about life.For me, 8.5 out of 10.
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.
