Crying Fist

Crying Fist is a South Korean drama and sports film directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, which was initially released in 2005. The film, starring Choi Min-Sik and Seung-beom Ryu, explores the gritty underbelly of life, resilience, and the journey of two men finding their paths through boxing.

The film uniquely centers around two protagonists, rather than the standard singular protagonist format we see in many films. We first meet Kang Tae-shik, portrayed by Choi Min-Sik, an aging former silver medalist boxer. Once a burgeoning promise of the South Korean national team, Tae-shik’s life has become a spiral of despair and disappointment. His career is ostensibly over, tarnished by a subsequent downturn in fortune. On the brink of losing his wife and son due to his persistent failures, Tae-shik’s desperation becomes palpable. We see him resorting to an absurd and demeaning street act where he allows himself to be hit by strangers who are willing to pay for the thrill. Despite the physical and emotional pain, he persists, driven by his desperate need for money and a flicker of his former glory that he's hoping to rekindle.

Our second protagonist is Yoo Sang-hwan, a directionless, troubled, and hot-headed teenager played by Seung-beom Ryu. Sang-hwan has an innate ferocity that he channels through rebellious acts, getting involved in acts of theft and leading him onto a path of juvenile delinquency. He descends into a chaotic life of crime, which ultimately lands him in a juvenile detention center. It is here where the initial sparks of change kindle. Encouraged by one of the guards, Sang-hwan channels his explosive anger into boxing, finding an outlet in the sport for his pent-up rage and demonstrative operational energy.

Although the narrative following two protagonists can be a difficult path to tread, director Ryoo Seung-wan navigates this ensemble with elan, deftly jumping between the two divergent but equally compelling narratives. The immersive script provides depth to both characters, taking us through their inner struggles as it touches on themes of inner strength, determination, triumph over adversity, and most importantly, redemption.

The film seamlessly interweaves the lives of these two men who seem to be polar opposites in terms of age, temperament, and life experiences, yet share a common ground through their love for boxing. The sport becomes a literal and symbolic battleground, offering an escape and potentially a way to salvage their broken lives.

Crying Fist remains honest and gritty throughout. Unlike many sports dramas that build around the rousing victory of the underdog, this film focuses more on the battles that the characters fight outside the ring, their innermost fears, their insecurities, their struggles. Their drive to win is not merely for honor and glory, but to reclaim their lives from the edge of despair.

The performances by Choi Min-Sik and Seung-beom Ryu are exceptional, each injecting their characters with emotional depth and authenticity. Min-sik's portrayal of the fallen athlete clinging onto the vestiges of his former glory and Ryu's depiction of the angry, misdirected teen discovering a sense of purpose, stand as two pillars supporting the narrative.

Also compelling is the expertly choreographed fight scenes by action director Jung Doo-hong. The matches have an authentic rawness and intensity that add immediacy and realism to the viewing experience.

Without relying on sentimentalism or cliché, Crying Fist stands as a compelling narrative about personal redemption and the power of the human spirit to bounce back from devastating lows. It is a stark reminder that real battles in life are not always fought in the ring.