Director KANG Je-kyu’s South Korean biographical sports film “Road to Boston” (Korean: 보스턴 1947; lit. Boston 1947) is an inspiring tale of the Korean athletes who ran the 1947 Boston International Marathon, the first international marathon held since World War II.
The film is based on the true story of marathon runner Suh Yun-Bok and his head coach Son Kee-Jung, and their quest to compete in their first international marathon. “Road to Boston” will release on September 27, 2023.
Movie Synopsis
1947, Two years after Korea was freed from Japanese colonial rule in 1947, the teenage runner Suh Yun-Bok trains for the 51st Boston Marathon under the direction of his seasoned coach. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, head coach Son Kee-Jung won the gold medal, but since Japan still ruled Korea at the time, he sported the Japanese flag on his chest. Son Kee-Jung earnestly hopes that Sun Yun-Bok, who is sporting the Korean flag on his chest, will triumph at the 51st Boston Marathon. One week before the race starts, they eventually make it to Boston after several obstacles.
“Road to Boston” – Watch the trailer
Director: KANG Je-kyu
Genre: Drama
Cast: HA Jung-woo, YIM Si-wan, BAE Seong-woo
Release Date: September 27, 2023
Suh Yun-bok – The first Asian champion of the Boston Marathon in 1947
Suh Yun-bok (January 9, 1923 – June 27, 2017) was a South Korean marathoner who won the 1947 Boston Marathon in 2:25:39 while being coached by Sohn Kee-chung, the Korean winner of the 1936 Berlin Olympics marathon. His participation was made possible by funds from the United States Forces Korea, and he achieved a world record at the Boston Marathon for the first time. Suh also competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London before retiring in 1949 after a tremendous marathon running career.
