You are here:

As One

Name: As One
Director: Moon Hyun-sung
Released: 2012
Duration: 127 min

Representation Score

6.6/10

Good

2012

PG-13

Director

Moon Hyun-sung

Runtime

127 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

As One is a character-driven drama that emphasizes ethnic and national identity over broader multi-layered issues. It excels by centering female professional excellence and exploring the intricacies of a fragmented ethnic identity. The film effectively challenges the political divide between North and South Korea by highlighting shared cultural heritage. It uses the 1991 table tennis championships to break down political borders through human connections. However, the narrative lacks significant representation for LGBTQ+ individuals or people with disabilities, adhering to more traditional social structures common in period sports dramas.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does As One have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on nationalistic reconciliation and athletic competition. It does not include any LGBTQ+ characters, non-cisgender identities, or depictions of same-sex intimacy.

How does As One portray gender?

Fair

Female athletes play a significant role in driving the narrative through their skills and interpersonal interactions. The film highlights the professional competence of women in high-stakes international sports.

How racially and ethnically diverse is As One?

Good

The story delves into ethnic identity and the complexities of a divided diaspora. A Korean cast authentically portrays the nuances of a shared cultural identity.

How does As One represent religion and culture?

Good

Geopolitical tensions are explored to highlight systemic division. The narrative suggests that human connections can transcend state-mandated ideologies and rigid political boundaries.

Does As One include disability representation?

Limited

The focus remains on able-bodied professional athletes. There is no significant representation of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Highlights female professional excellence and leadership in a competitive sports environment.
Explores the complexities of shared Korean heritage and ethnic identity.
Challenges political borders by emphasizing human connections over state ideology.

Limited or Absent

Does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities.
Does not provide significant focus on characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A unified team representing the two Koreas competed at the 1991 Chiba International Table Tennis Championships. It was the first such sport team since the division of the Korean peninsula. The unified team won the group competition event, beating the front runner, China.

How are these scores produced? →