My Father was a Footballer

Directed by Matthew Kim

Cast: Kim Suk Won, Matthew Kim

VC Presents
USA
Documentary, Family
English, Korean
Subtitled
2026
11 mins
World premiere

My father was a footballer. In 1985, he led the South Korean National team to their first world cup appearance in 32 years. Weeks before the world cup, he tore his meniscus and never got to play at the world’s stage.

He never got over his unfulfilled dream, and from when I was 7 to 16, he was absent from my life– pursuing a career as a football agent and scout. The youngest of his four kids, I was raised by my siblings in his absence.

With this in mind, I ask the question: Where do your dreams end and mine begin?

This film is a means of reconciling with my dad– learning about him through spoken interview, archival footage, and our love for football, coming to terms and understanding our strained relationship and who I am.

Credits
Writer: Matthew Kim
Producer: Patrick Le
Executive Producer: Visual Communications
Director of Photography: Jo Choi
Editor: Frida Gonzalez
Composer: Telemakus
Colorist: Jake White