The Foul King (2000)

"The Foul King" (2000) follows the hapless Dae-Ho, a perpetually tardy and underperforming bank clerk who is the bane of his manager's existence. Haunted by childhood wrestling dreams and utterly unable to escape a simple headlock, Dae-Ho seeks refuge in a local wrestling trainer. Through a series of comical mishaps and gradual skill acquisition, he adopts a secret identity as the "Foul King," a dastardly heel known for his cheating tactics. As he embraces this alter ego, Dae-Ho finds himself unexpectedly standing up for himself, albeit often in self-defeating ways, and navigating a chaotic world where professional wrestling intersects with his mundane reality. "The Foul King" earns its place among Kim Jee-woon's best films due to its unique blend of heartwarming underdog story, absurdist humor, and surprisingly poignant commentary on societal pressures. The film showcases Kim's early directorial prowess, demonstrating his ability to craft compelling characters and inject genuine emotion into even the most outlandish scenarios. It's a departure from his later, more stylized action and thriller works, highlighting his versatility as a filmmaker and cementing its reputation as a cult classic that perfectly encapsulates his early talents and directorial genius.