Swing Kids (2018)

There is a reason why the tragedy tag is there. The setting of this movie itself is during war, in a war camp where all sort of people is there. The good and the bad people, the honest and the one with ulterior motives.

The story itself is unique to me. Usually, movies in a war setting are heavy on tactical or political but Swing Kids focuses mainly on tap dance. When I watched the trailer, it got myself thinking too how did this one ended up as musical movie? The music was necessary to accompany the tap dance. I don’t really know much about American music during war times but it is pleasant to hear. The movie focuses on the hero, Kisoo and how he fell in love with tap dance. How tap dance changed his life, the consequences he got when he accepted his love for tap dance from his fellow countrymen and enemies, and the dream he wanted with his talent. It was a beautiful journey to watch his character development. The other characters are necessary for this development, one leads to the other, and another, until they completed each other. And these characters will be tested on their ideology and loyalty; either to be freed physically or to be freed mentally.

Do Kyungsoo is so incredible in this movie. The way he talked in North Korean accent, the way he potrayed as a bully and the most important is the way he tapped dance. It was so beautiful to watch his character. The second lead for me is the character Jackson. The actor, Jared Grimes, is really into his character, I am so impressed. Jackson is the person that introduced tap dance to Kisoo. The relationship between them is so beautiful, it transgressed language, skin colors and ideology. Park Hye Soo’s English is wonderful and she certainly can tap dance; while Oh Jung Se and Kim Minho completed the comic relief in this movie.

The movie started with a good humor here and there, and later it changed into a serious tone due to a major event in the movie. But the beauty of tap dance is featured in the movie from the beginning until the end. The director is clever to use music as the momentum, mostly the pacing of the shoe’s tap itself, and there are some scenes I literally held out my breath, the tap dances in this movie are that good.

I would love to rewatch it again in the future. This movie is certainly different from the others. Recommended.

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This movie started out a bit strange so I was expecting a disaster but in no time the plot kicked in and then just whoa! This is the kind of movie that gets to the bottom of the human psyche, of the mechanics of war, and how riled up armies don't "win" ANYTHING but a false sense of power. Wars happen because we stop seeing the other person as a human being. And when that happens false ideologies are used by cunning, greedy, power-hungry masters to drive the rest into a prison that only looks like freedom. War casualties are not power, dead bodies are not strength, and torn nations are not trophies. It's just a few people at the top using these cruelties to get what they want. That's the message of this film. Yes, it's a tragedy. Yes, the dark humor is always grotesquely funny because humanity survives even war and plague. As for the rest of the stuff, like I said beginning is a bit wonky but just stick with it. All the actors did a good job. All the characters were fighting their own fights. DOs dancing... Just wow. This was probably one of the best things to cast an EXO member. So, absolutely watch this movie.

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Major warning: Do not take the tragedy element too lightly. This story is so strong, packed with emotions and dancing, relaying the message of freedom and breaking down the barriers that are set for you by society. Each character of the swing team was unique, fighting their own demons and trying to survive through impossible situations. The plot was original, yet it followed lightly the pattern of a war drama movie, with the ending devestating, breaking down the "the hero's passion can do anything" protocol that other war movies follow. The performances were splending as well. The actors and actresses displayed great emotions and painted the drama beautifully. Another note is that their dancing skills were realistic, as they didn't display extrordinary, out of the blue, talent. Rather, they seemed to enjoy themselves and improve their skills under the circumstances that they were under. Also, the soundtrack was to the point! My only concern about this movie was the presentation of the events when it came to the pace. Other than that, this one is a really powerfull movie.

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Must watch for music/dance lovers

OMG I freaking loved this movie!

The actors nailed every scene, be it by dancing or acting, it was awesomely done.

I already knew the actors from other dramas ( I'm a fan of Park Hyn Soo she's a great actress with such a soulful voice and even Do Kyung Soo from EXO), but they all exceeded my expectations.

The dance scenes were breathtaking, the whole vibe of the movie of fake peace in the middle of a war, prejudice, anger, resistance, resignation, the desire for something more, it was all in there and so much more.

This is definitely a must watch!!
Don't pass this one by!

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All the review and commend were positive. So what are you waiting for. I chose to watch this movie after watching “My Annoying Brother”. I want to watch more Do Kyung Soo movies. Wow, from TaKwando to Tap Swing dance. He is my new favorite Korean actor now. No doubt.

I was a little puzzle at the ending, inside me wishing the old man with the cane is Roh-Ki, but later think about it, no way. War is always sad. Human life didn’t seem to be valuable, bullet flying , blood like river and body pile up. War is always so sad.

Music always bring joy to the soul. So many talented men got wasted. Music bring smile, friendship, and happiness regardless of race, nationality, gender, status.

Not going tp be spoiler. Give this movie a try. You won’t regret.

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Absolute masterpiece...

I am from a country where the exact same story happened. By this I mean the war between the "two brothers" in which all the houses burned down, even the neighbors. And here the children were left without parents, all PEOPLE hungry and unhappy for years. It doesn't matter that the story is made up, the war happened, the rich got rich, and the poor got sick. Only, "my" war happened about 40 years later. And the next one, in another 40 years, anywhere, will be the same and nothing will change. So I absolutely understand ... The story is concise, but at the same time extensive.
Absolutely all the characters are impeccably chosen, without a single complaint.
Park Hye Soo bought me with this role. It’s a really great team, no mistakes. But Do Kyung Soo .... he can stop singing, acting, breathing ..... but he must never stop dancing (and smiling). After this, I’m totally crazy about him. He delighted me, really.
The scenery is so contradictory from barbed wire, dirt and accidents, to dazzling lighting, dancing and happiness. I just can't believe how beautifully everything is arranged.
Music ..... all congratulations go to Kim Joon Seok. Brilliant, that is the most appropriate word for me ...
The very ending really fascinated me .... I was surprised, speechless, shaken to the bone ... if I could rate it with 200 instead of 10, it would be 200! Sincere thanks to the whole team for enabling us this MASTERPIECE ...
As for re-watching .... absolutely, many times ....

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F*ck ideology!

This movie is definitely a cinematic masterpiece! In the beginning what caught my eyes the most was how beautiful the transitions were in the movie! The cinematography is insanely good! And do kyung's acting is as always *chef's kiss*

I'm not a fan of dancing or musical movies since I'm not interested in those ( specially dancing, music I can tolerate ) plus I think they take us away from the main storyline but my god this movie was just absolutely amazing for a "non fan" like me. I find the practice scenes boring usually but here they were made in such a beautiful way that you can't help but keep staring!

I truly enjoyed the friendship between the characters and all of them were well written individually. No one was super hero kinda character and everyone was very humane which I enjoy.

The thing that caught my heart the most gas to be it's different opinion on war. Idk if everything in the movie is historically correct but I think half of are living in a country rn that suffered from war or colonization once and I also know that we're still studying about that history and our school are still brainwashing us that the country that attacked us decades ago sucks and every human being from that country is a monster although the people living in that country now weren't even alive at that time.

Most of the war movies I've seen follows the same ideology which I don't enjoy cuz I simply think war bring misery to all of the countries involved, although the killers were truly wrong, most of them were forced by government officials or their friends to become a killer in the name of "revenge". This movie gave another opinion which I agree with.

Brainwashing people in the name of ideology is wrong. Killing people in the name of revenge is also wrong according to me ofc. The movie also showcased us how Americans and Koreans that are supposed to be enemies still can be friends cuz they both are suffering from the war and share the same misery. I appreciate the movie for showing a different aspect of war.

And last but not least! The movie is tragic like really tragic so prepare yourself! Now what are you waiting for ? Watch this masterpiece now!

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I'm physically and emotionally drained.. my head and my heart hurt...
the 1st half is all bright, hopeful and sweet, yet I couldn't help but tear up every time they smiled.. why? because this is a war movie... by the 2nd half, I couldn't stop crying..
I am so proud of actor Do Kyung Soo, that was not kyungsoo, that was 100% Ro Gi Soo.. and I love him....
I'm proud of all of actors, and everyone who was involved in making this.. they all draw you in and just pull you in their universe.. there were times I stopped breathing because I was so involved with the story... and I had to repeat the last 20mins a few times.... a 10 is not enough for this...
tbh, I never want to rewatch a movie like this, but at the same time, I really need to rewatch this again ;)

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The genre of this movie can not be defined. As I emerged myself into the story I had a hard time coming out. It was thrilling, suspenseful, funny and undeniably saddening all at the same time. I'm not one to watch movies about war as I hate anything surrounding that context, but this movie got me interested in everything that happened during that period in time. The movie circles around a man Rho Ki Soo, played by D.O, and his growing love of tap dance in a time and environment where the main mindset is to kill or be killed. His love for dance makes him see his surroundings in a different way, putting aside differences of ideology and violence with the rest of his team members. I think one thing I loved the most was the main character growth throughout the movie, in character and heart. he really translated a lot to me as an audience and I took a lot away from this film. It showed how people can come together putting behind their differences to do something so amazing and refreshing in a very hard time. The cinematography is amazing in every single way, I think the director did a wonderful job in putting this movie together.

At times I would forget what genre I'm actually watching. The dialogue between each character made every scene refreshing, from the interactions with Rho Ki Soo and Jackson, with him and his fellow comrades and with Yang Pan-rae. The music and performances both acting and dance was like one seamless work, with no errors. They put in a lot of work and it really showed. I was so surprised when I found out filming was only 4 months and 30 days.
I learned a lot about the hardships of war in terms of people in color and women, it really showed how much of a strenuous thing on the lives of those fighting and their families too. I really cried at the end and not because of what happened or what didn't happen, but because of how beautiful the cinematography was pieced together and ultimately the things I learned.
Watch this movie, I swear you won't regret it, shout out to D.O, I see an oscar in your future.

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Please watch!!!

Doh Kyung Soo Just blew me away in this film; when I learned that he actually performed this masterclass in tap dancing himself I was awestruck.I have watched him perform such a variety of roles including his latest venture bad prosecutor I can imagine him being in his sixties and still acting, becoming a legendary figure.
Apologies for not introducing with my review of the film but I have literally just finished watching it and I am still reeling from his performance,
Swing Kids at times is bizarre, poignant, brutal and joyous.I felt emotionally drained when it finished.It’s a very unusual portrayal of the dehumanization that war produces in mankind and I found it profoundly moving
Hats off to every member of the cast, they were exceptional and swing kids is a film that will stay with me for a long time…….

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I will try to make this as spoiler free as possible and just talk about the way this movie made me feel.

I started this movie without knowing much about it, i only knew it was about tap dancing and park hye soo was acting in it and that was enough for me. The first hour or so made me feel like i was flying on top of the clouds. The movie has a was of making you feel so good, it sets the atmosphere so beautifully that you forget the surroundings the movie is set in and everything that could go wrong, you only focus on dancing and these people who do it freakishly well.

Then came the second half of the movie, the part you should have known was coming but you still get caught off guard because the mood so far has been always so happy. The second part is painfull to watch, you find yourself straining yourself and squeezing you fists tighter and tighter. But through all that the movie still gives you a glimpse of hope, hope that even in the midst of chaos there is still something that they can hold onto, dancing. But of course nothing is ever that easy and the movie reminds that to you like a heavy stone has been put on your heart.

The dancing sequenceses in this movie were beyond amazing both in the dance itself and the scene and it's meaining. The acting and the soundtrack were amazing. The relationship formed by these five entirely different indivicuals is so heartwarming but also heart-wrecnhing. There are still so much to talk about the topics the movie nails touching upon such as racism, idoelogy and much more but i think those are subjects people should experience watching this movie. In conclusion i definitly recommend this movie with all my heart and i think it is a movie that everyone should watch.

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