Im Siwan went through a strict diet to immerse himself in the character of his new work. Im Siwan who successfully lowered his body fat percentage to an impressive 6%. The work that embodies his efforts is none other than.
Road to Boston, the miracle of Korea starts here!
A small country in the East that surprises the world. Perhaps the seed was not born in 1947 in Boston, USA. Seeing a marathon runner with the Taegeuk mark engraved in their hearts leaves a lasting impression on Korea.
During the Japanese colonial period, Son Ki Jung, who had won a marathon gold medal, had to bow his head on the podium even though he held the medal. Seo Yoon Bok, who engraved the first Taegeuk mark after the liberation and participated in the international marathon competition, is a story that goes beyond the excitement and thrill sports can provide and brings a passionate and solid resonance.
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The story of the two marathon runners unfolds through the movie Road to Boston (produced by BAE Entertainment, Big Picture). Directed by Kang Je Kyu, who led the Korean film industry’s renaissance with Shiri (1999) and Taegukgi (2004).
● A true story that touches the heart
Road to Boston is based on a true story.
In the 1936 Berlin Olympics marathon race, Son Ki Jung set a world record of 2 hours 29 minutes 19 seconds and won the gold medal. Still, during the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese flag was raised for his victory instead of the Taegeuk mark and was awarded under the name “Son Kitei.” This is also a painful memory of Korean history, as the country had lost its independence.
The movie begins by recreating this scene. Son Ki Jung (Ha Jung Woo) covers the Japanese flag on his chest with a victory commemorative flowerpot and bows deeply. Instead of the joy and happiness of a world record and a gold medal, sadness and shame fill the moment.
After the liberation in 1945, in Seoul in 1947, Son Ki Jung ran the Marathon Promotion Society. He prepared for participation in the 1947 Boston Marathon with Nam Seung Ryong (Bae Sung Woo), a bronze medalist in the Berlin Olympics marathon, and Seo Yoon Bok (Im Siwan), a college student who is expected to be the next Son Ki Jung.
1947 was a time of chaos and confusion. Between the liberation in 1945 and the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, the Soviet Army entered the north, and the US Army entered the south, divided by the 38th parallel. The US classified Korea as a refugee country, requiring a substantial deposit amount and a local guarantor for entry.
The ordinary citizens gathered together and supported the national team when they had to give up participating in the competition due to the deposit. This is also the strength of Korea, which overcame complex challenges in the whirlpool of history.
After overcoming various obstacles, Son Ki Jung and Seo Yoon Bok, who arrived in Boston, face another crisis. They must face the difficult situation of wearing the Taegeuk mark on their chest and participating in the marathon race.
● Vivid marathon race and Im Siwan’s sweat and tears
The movie’s highlight is undoubtedly the marathon race scene that Seo Yoon Bok unfolds in Boston.
The intense commentary and various camera techniques make the race thrilling, making the viewers sweat on their hands as if they were watching an actual race. From the moment Nam Seung Ryong tells Seo Yoon Bok, “It’s time to compete. Let’s go,” the race unfolds until the end, unleashing the adrenaline rush a real sports game can provide.
However, although the background of the movie is Boston in spring, it was filmed in Melbourne, Australia, which had the most similar environment to Boston in the winter. The production team implemented the race scenes based on thorough research on the characteristics of the Boston area and the marathon course at that time.
Im Siwan, who said, “I filmed ‘Road to Boston’ with the determination to represent the country with the Taegeuk mark,” shines brightly. He made efforts to create a physical appearance that would make him look like a marathon runner through his diet and training. He underwent a rigorous preparation process, including lowering his body fat percentage to 6% and consistently participating in marathon races.
Ha Jung Woo, who appeared in the summer film Operation Chromite and is now in Road to Boston. He delivered an impressive performance as Son Ki Jung, his mentor and someone who wanted to hold the Taegeuk mark close to his heart.
● Why director Kang Je Kyu brought up a “boring past story”
Road to Boston will be released on September 27th along with Kim Ji-woon’s “The Age of Shadows” and Kim Sung-sik’s “The Secret of the Magic Sword: The Secret of the Mountain.”
Director Kang Je-kyu, who has frequently presented works based on historical facts, said, “Past stories can be considered boring and uninteresting, and we have many difficulties and stories to tell in our present lives, so there may not be a need to bring them up.”
However, he expressed his hope that “through the precious stories in history and the lives of great people, we can reflect on whether we are living well and going in the right direction. I hope this movie can give young audiences the courage, strength, and help to look back on the past and live their lives.”
Director: Kang Je-kyu / Cast: Ha Jung Woo, Im Siwan, Bae Sung Woo, Kim Sang Ho, Park Eun Bin (special appearance) and others / Production: BAE Entertainment, Big Picture / Release date: September 27th / Rating: 12+ / Genre: Drama, Sports, Historical / Running time: 108 minutes
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