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Korean sports films and TV shows aren't heard much more than their crime thriller and comedy counterparts, but they hold their own in terms of emotional storytelling and real-life inspirations. A Clean Sweep, Racket Boys, and Rebound are some recent examples.
Recently, a new sports K-film has been gaining international attention on Netflix and its Dream. This film has everything a successful light-hearted Korean film has: drama, comedy, and emotion.
The dream is not about a single person; it is about a group of homeless people striving to achieve their dreams.
The film's two main protagonists are Yoon Hong-dae, a punished footballer with a bad temper, and Lee So-min, a young director struggling to pay off her student loans. Park Seo-joon and IU portray the characters, respectively, who share a common goal: to redeem their tarnished reputations and save their careers.
Hong-dae's past misconduct led to a ban on his professional football career, leaving coaching the South Korean national homeless football team as his only chance for redemption. So-min, seeking to make a successful documentary, joins Hong-dae on his journey and aims to pay off her debts through this ambitious project.
Initially, Hong-dae's involvement with the homeless team is merely a PR stunt, leaving him nonchalant about the team's progress, while the Homeless World Cup is only two months away.
However, for the team members, this tournament represents a survival game. Each player has a unique and heartbreaking story: Kim Hwan-dong's bankruptcy and estrangement from his family; Jeon Hyo-bong's quest to prove himself as a strong father; and Kim In-sun's attempt to cope with trauma after losing his girlfriend. The team members come together for a chance at redemption through football.
Like them, the rest of the members have their own struggles, and they join the homeless team for a chance to rise in this merciless world.
So-min is all in for her documentary to show the sob stories, but Hong-dae realises that he is needed for the team even though he regained his reputation after a series of events. With his tactful mentorship and the team's strong determination, they are ready for the World Cup. How will they fare there?
After losing their first game embarrassingly and the injury of two players, the South Korean team had to take two Brazilian players as substitutes. Even though they won the second match by 8-3, this didn't feel like a win because the foreign players scored all the goals.
The team is unhappy, and the audience is upset; will the all-Korean team show some magic?
The third match against Germany is the peak of this film, where Hong-dae and co. show that relentless determination and team spirit are more important than wins.
They win the hearts of the audience, return to the country as heroes despite losses, and the team members finally get a chance to improve their lives.
The story of the South Korean football team is inspirational and emotional, making Dream a successful sports drama.
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