Road to 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.
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 at the local box office and accumulated 1,021,223 admissions from 1,282 screens.
Awards and nominations Award Category Recipient Result59th Grand Bell Awards Best Director Kang Je-gyu Best Actor Yim Si-wan Best Costume Design Chae Gyeong-hwa 22nd Director's Cut Awards Best Director Kang Je-gyu Best Actor Yim Si-wan 17th Asian Film Awards Best Original Music Lee Dong-june
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