Kick the Moon

Kick the Moon

Year: 2001

Runtime: 118 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Kim Sang-jin

ComedyDrama

Ten years after graduating, former classmate Choi Ki‑dong, now a mild‑mannered teacher, crosses paths with Park Young‑jun, who has fallen into a life of crime. Both men vie for the affection of Min Ju‑ran, reigniting a fierce rivalry that echoes their very different high‑school personas and the choices that set them on opposite paths.

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Kick the Moon (2001) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Kick the Moon (2001), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Ten years ago, a legendary fighter named Choi Gi-dong and a timid straight-A student named Park Young-joon set out on a high school field trip to Gyeongju, where fate intervenes and forever alters the course of their lives.

One night during a school gala, Gi-dong leads his entire school into a massive brawl against a local gang, while Park Young-joon stays behind at the party, overwhelmed by fear. The streets become a chaotic battlefield — blood, broken bones, and the raw energy of a fight that will be talked about for years. Gi-dong earns admiration for his bravery, while Young-joon is ostracized for his fear, marking a sharp divide between them that lasts a decade.

Ten years later, Gi-dong and Young-joon cross paths again in Gyeongju, this time in very different roles. Gi-dong has become a daunting physical education teacher at a local high school, while Young-joon has slipped into the world of organized crime, rising to power as a gangster. Their reunion brings a surprising blend of nostalgia and tension, as old memories resurface and the old rivalry hums just beneath the surface.

Before they say farewell, the two men encounter a damsel in distress — Ju-ran — and are both drawn to her bright, easy smile. Ju-ran’s presence stirs something in them, and what begins as mutual attraction quickly shifts into competition. Gi-dong stakes his claim on Ju-ran, but Young-joon treats it as a fair challenge. What started as a charming reunion becomes a test of loyalty, pride, and control.

Young-joon decides to extend his trip to Gyeongju, not only to pursue Ju-ran but also to settle old scores with Gi-dong. The plan draws them both deeper into a web of jealousy and risk, and soon the entire city seems to be pulled into their personal duel. What follows is a high-stakes struggle to win Ju-ran’s heart, a contest that could leave more than reputations in ruins and might demand a painful toll of bones and pride.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:40

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Movies about high-stakes rivalries like Kick the Moon

When past rivalries resurface, they ignite a dangerous and high-stakes personal war.If you enjoyed the intense personal duel in Kick the Moon, you'll like these movies where old rivalries explode into high-stakes conflicts. These stories feature characters pushed to their limits by jealousy, pride, and a dangerous competition that risks everything.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a simple but powerful structure: a confrontation from the past (often school or youth) is revisited in adulthood. The rivalry intensifies dramatically, fueled by a present-day catalyst like a love interest or a power vacuum, leading to a fast-paced escalation of conflict that tests loyalties and defines fates.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core emotional engine of intense, masculine rivalry. They deliver a tense, fast-paced experience built on competition, high personal stakes, and the dramatic consequences of choices made in the heat of conflict.

Movies about fate and life choices like Kick the Moon

A single moment from the past forever divides the destinies of two rivals.Fans of Kick the Moon will appreciate these films that examine how past choices dictate future paths. Watch stories about former classmates or friends whose lives take dramatically different turns, leading to a nostalgic and tense reunion that questions fate and destiny.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative juxtaposes two character arcs defined by a shared past. A critical juncture (like high school graduation) splits their trajectories—one toward order and stability, the other toward chaos and crime. Their inevitable reunion creates a tense exploration of destiny, regret, and the lingering what-ifs of their younger years.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies that share a thematic focus on fate, choices, and the lingering impact of the past. They create a specific mood blend of nostalgia and tension, as characters are forced to confront the divergent paths their lives have taken since a defining moment.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Kick the Moon

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Kick the Moon

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