Highly-Anticipated Movie “Kung Fu Soccer” Sparks Controversy For Allegedly Belittling Korean Women’s Soccer

The Chinese actor and director Stephen Chow’s film Kung Fu Soccer, a sequel to Shaolin Soccer, has sparked controversy for scenes that seem to belittle the South Korean women’s soccer team.

According to Chinese media, the film, released on the 11th, surpassed a cumulative box office of approximately ₩132 billion KRW (about $88.7 million USD) within three days of its release.

This comedy is a follow-up to the 2001 hit Shaolin Soccer, depicting a weak women’s soccer team blending martial arts to create a miracle.

However, not only in the trailer but also within the movie, there are many scenes seemingly degrading the Korean women’s soccer team, causing significant issues.

The “Ewha Women’s Soccer Team,” reminiscent of Ewha Womans University in Korea, is portrayed as using all kinds of cowardly tricks, playing “foul soccer,” and players focusing more on makeup while wearing circle lenses.

Though aiming for a B-grade sensibility, the inclusion of awkward Korean dialogue has even elicited laughter.

Professor Seo Kyung Duk of Sungshin Women’s University stated, “During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the Beijing Municipal Broadcasting Bureau released a short-track skating film ‘Fly, Light on Ice,’ which sparked controversy for portraying Korean athletes as ‘foul kings.’”

Professor Seo pointed out, “Even if it’s a fictional film, continuously insulting Korean sports in subjects like short track and soccer is truly wrong.”

The professor also warned, “Ahead of the film’s overseas release this August, incorrect parts must be corrected, and no more boundary-crossing metaphors should cause harm to neighboring countries.”

Reporter Ahn Byung-gil]