Watch Champ

As a heartwarming sports drama, Champ from 2011 depicts the tale of a former horse jockey, Mark, who has lost his passion for horse racing after a terrible accident. His life revolves around alcohol, gambling addiction, and the burden of his past. To make things worse, he has been estranged from his young son for years. As a result of his addiction issues, Mark's job as a horse trainer has become precarious, and he has been neglecting his responsibilities. However, his luck changes for the better when a determined young girl, Mi-Ja, suddenly appears in his life. Mi-Ja is an optimistic and loving child, who believes in the power of dreams and family bonds. Despite Mark's initial skepticism towards her, he recognizes his own past in her secret desire to become a horse jockey.

Driven by his newfound purpose to help Mi-Ja succeed, Mark tries to regain his confidence as a trainer and reconnects with his son. The three of them embark on an emotional and challenging journey to prepare for the upcoming national horse racing competition. However, the competition is fierce, and Mark must face his own inner demons and the pressure from his rivals to succeed.

Champ touches upon themes such as redemption, family, and perseverance. The movie's strength lies in the authentic and touching performances of its leads, particularly Do-bin Baek's portrayal of Mark. He manages to convey a sense of inner turmoil entwined with hope and love for his family. Tae-Hyun Cha gives an endearing and nuanced performance as the confident and caring Mi-Ja, who brings light into Mark's life. Soo-Jung Kim also delivers a convincing performance as Mark's former love interest and the mother of his son.

The film's visuals and directing style complement the delicate and emotional tone of the story. The beautiful landscapes of Korea's countryside serve as the backdrop for the horse racing scenes, and the camera movements capture the speed and intensity of the sport. The soundtrack incorporates elements of traditional Korean music and adds depth to the movie's emotional and nostalgic tone.

Overall, Champ is a heartwarming and inspiring movie that showcases the power of forgiveness, perseverance, and family bonds. It highlights the beauty of horse racing by underscoring the humanistic qualities of both the trainers and the animals. It is a movie that will resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds and is an excellent choice for those looking for a touching and uplifting drama.

Champ is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.