Road to Boston (Korean: 1947 보스톤; lit. '1947 Boston') is a 2023 South Korean biographical sports film written and directed by Kang Je-gyu starring Ha Jung-woo, Yim Si-wan, Bae Seong-woo and Kim Sang-ho. It tells the story of Korean athletes who participated in the Boston International Marathon in 1947, the first international marathon held since World War II. It was released theatrically on September 27, 2023, coinciding with Korea's Chuseok holiday.
Contents
Plot
In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, marathon gold medalist Sohn Kee-chung set a world record. On the podium, as Japan's national anthem "Kimigayo" played, he covered the Japanese flag on his uniform with a potted plant. Overnight, he became a national hero to Koreans, but under Japanese colonial rule, he was forbidden to run again.
In 1947, post-liberation Seoul, rising star Suh Yun-bok is seen as the second Sohn Kee-chung. Suh is suddenly approached by the legendary runner himself, who suggests they compete in the Boston Marathon. Sohn wants to reclaim the glory lost in Berlin, this time running proudly under the Korean flag. Though they couldn't even afford a single pair of running shoes, the Korean marathoners embark on an unforgettable journey to Boston.
Cast
Ha Jung-woo as Sohn Kee-chung
Yim Si-wan as Suh Yun-bok
Bae Seong-woo as Nam Sung-yong
Kim Sang-ho as Baek Nam-hyeon
Choi Gyu-hwan
Oh Hee-jun as Dong-gu
Seo Jeong-yeon as Suh Yun-bok's mother
Jung Young-joo as Ok-rim's mother
Hwang Ja-neung as a former track and field athlete
Jo Hye-sun as a gisaeng madam
Ron Kelly as Major General John R. Hodge
Park Hyo-joo as Yoon-seo
Park Eun-bin as Ok-rim
Production
The script reading was held on the September 4, 2019, and filming began on September 9 in Seoul. In January 2020, actors of Boston 1947 departed for Australia for the shooting of the film.
Music
The soundtrack is composed by Lee Dong-june.
Reception
As of November 2, 2023, the film has grossed US$7,212,399 at the local box office and accumulated 1,021,223 admissions from 1,282 screens.