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Korean filmmakers have discovered a new-found love in sports dramas. Next is 200 Pounds Beautydirector KIM Yong-hwa who lined up HA Jung-woo as an Olympic ski jumper. The underdog sports drama Take Off is based on real life events.

A ski jumping team is required for North Jeolla's Muju's 2002 Olympic winter games bid. A ski instructor with no ski jumping knowledge assembles a ragtag outfit who are as unlikely contenders as they come in underdog sports dramas.

HA's main character is an adoptee who is searching for his biological parents. He is reluctant to represent Korea because he feels betrayed by the Korean people. Another man joins because he is smitten with the pretty daughter of the coach. A third member wants to escape from his overbearing father, and the fourth hopes of success as a national athlete to avoid military duty because he is the breadwinner of the family.

The sports drama contains the recognisable elements of the genre, like the team building process, and the struggle of unfit people who turn into contenders. KIM is a comedy specialist and he strategically places humoristic moments throughout the film. Take Off  is to jump off the screen from 29 July.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)