Punch (2011 South Korean Film)
Punch (Korean: 완득이; RR: Wandeuki) is a 2011 South Korean coming-of-age drama film directed by Lee Han. The screenplay is based on the 2008 novel Won-Deuk Yi by author Kim Ryeo-Ryeong. The film explores themes of family, social identity, and the relationship between a rebellious student and his unconventional teacher.
Plot
The story follows 17-year-old Do Won-Deuk (played by Yoo Ah-In), a high school student struggling with his impoverished home life. He lives with his father, who has a physical disability, and his uncle. Won-Deuk is known for his skill in fighting, which he uses to defend his father against mockery. His life is complicated by his homeroom teacher, Lee Dong-Joo (Kim Yun-Seok), who resides in a rooftop apartment directly across from Won-Deuk's home and frequently challenges him at school. The narrative shifts when Dong-Joo reveals that Won-Deuk's mother, who is of Filipino descent, is alive and wishes to meet him, forcing the protagonist to confront his identity and family history.
Production and Release
Principal photography for Punch took place between February 27 and May 17, 2011. The film held its world premiere at the 16th Busan International Film Festival in October 2011. It was released theatrically in South Korea on October 20, 2011, and later received a limited release in several North American cities, including Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver, in late 2011.
Reception
The film was a commercial success in South Korea, selling approximately 5.3 million tickets during its theatrical run. It ranked as the third highest-grossing Korean film of 2011 and the fourth highest-grossing film overall in the domestic market that year.
