8 Asians

As One (Korea) tells the story of Li Bun-Hee (Bae Doo-na) and Hyun Jung-hwa (Ha Ji-won) ping pong players from North and South Korea coming together to form a doubles team to win gold at the world championships in Japan in 1990.

Based on true and well documented events, the film is a very heartwarming tale of overcoming rivalries and hurt to become a strong united team. Korea still remains the only country divided at the 38th parallel with vastly different governments and socio-economic mindsets. The film provides a rather stark parallel in showcasing these differences. How the military, structured and disciplined style of the North team compares with the free spirited, arrogant and naive behaviour of the South team and how both learned and started to appreciated the other.

A-list actresses Bae Doona and Ha Jiwon both trained extensively to perfect the style and movements of Li and Hyun that no body doubles were needed to shoot any of the tournament scenes. All actresses were reported to have trained hard to be able to seamless shoot. Their sweat and determination can be seen in some rather exciting and fantastic plays on the table.

I’d recommend taking your family to watch it.

As One was released in selected theatres across North America on June 1, 2012:

New York, NY – AMC Ridgefield Park Chicago, IL – AMC Showplace Niles Philadelphia, PA – AMC 309 Vancouver, B.C. – Cineplex Silvercity Coquitlam Toronto – AMC Yonge & DundasCatch the film on June 8, 2012:
Los Angeles, CA – CGV Cinemas