Dream emerges as a cinematographic example that, with skill, reveals the complexities of the human being in the face of emotional wounds and personal challenges. Lee Byeong-heon scripts and directs the feature that comes to the Netflix catalog after dominating the South Korean box office in 2023, challenges the conventions of sports comedy and can reach k-drama fans.
The film stars two great figures, Park Seo Joon and IU, whose performances bring depth and magnetism to each character they play. However, do not be fooled by the comic guise, as this narrative goes beyond the mere search for laughter, bringing trauma and disbelief, by weaving a scenario of mutual learning and collective overcoming.
Lee Byeong-heon weaves an exciting plot full of underlying meanings. The story follows the trajectory of Yoon Hong Dae, played by Park Seo Joon, an athlete who is on the brink of failure, whose career salvation is coaching a team of unfortunates, relegated to social marginality. Here, football transcends its sporting surface and, as a metaphor for life, becomes the very battle for existence, where endurance and determination are essential foundations on the journey.
Addressing the ambivalence between commitment and talent, the narrative subtly reveals that, in a world where some are ostracized, solidary support becomes the compass for reconciliation with oneself and with family members left behind. The victories are not only in the sporting sphere, but in building shared memories and strengthening bonds.
The narrative takes on additional contours with the inclusion of Lee Ji-eun as Lee So-min, a documentary filmmaker who records the arduous training sessions and matches, placing them in a unique film, the so-called ” Dream”. Through the journey of creating this documentary, it culminates in a metafilmic experience that portrays its stages as montage and voice-over in the editing and image capture island and execution of a documentary script throughout training and games.
Dream, in addition to promoting laughter and deep reflections, is a powerful visibility tool for the marginalized and excluded from society, showing their humanity and potential, a real punch in the stomach of social indifference. With subtle references to the Premier League, the film transcends geographic boundaries, reverently intertwining with European football and its icons, evoking nostalgia in viewers.
In essence, Dream constitutes an unmissable invitation for cinema aficionados who wish to appreciate the subtlety of the narrative and the impact of a plot that extends beyond the four lines of the field, rising to a human narrative full of courage and resilience.