“Flying freely through the clouds, thinking it was the most beautiful place in the universe… that is, until he came down and met humans. The most untrusting, impatient, and selfish beings. He didn’t realize where he had landed.”
What makes a hero truly super? Is it the cape, the powers, or the ideals they represent? A Man Who Was Superman, the 2008 South Korean comedy-drama, redefines the superhero genre by exploring these questions through an emotional and grounded lens. Directed by Jeong Yoon-chul and starring Hwang Jung-min (a.k.a Superman) and Amazing Jun Ji-hyun (Our Lois Lane in Spirit), the film offers a heartfelt perspective on heroism, humanity, and the power of small acts of kindness. In this article, we’ll dive into how this movie captures the essence of Superman while delivering a uniquely moving story.
Song Soo-jung, a documentary filmmaker disillusioned with humanity, decides to ditch it all for a lion-filming expedition in Africa. Unfortunately, her trip gets canceled, her camera stolen, and just when life couldn’t get worse, a man claiming to be Superman appears. He protects people and insists that a bald villain implanted kryptonite in his head, rendering him powerless. While it sounds like the setup for an absurd comedy, what unfolds is a story with surprising depth and emotional resonance.
“Strength does not open Steel Doors but small key does….We all have the key inside us to open the door to a new Future.” 
At first glance, A Man Who Was Superman might not seem like much. But as the story unfolds, it becomes one of the those poignant Superman adaptations. This is a realist’s Superman, rooted in the ideals of truth, justice, and hope for a better tomorrow. It’s less about flying and more about inspiring—reminding us that anyone can be a hero.
One of the film’s standout moments comes when Superman says, “If I don’t help people, I’ll forget how to help them. And if I forget how to help them, I’ll forget who I am.” This encapsulates the film’s central theme: helping others is not just an act of kindness but a path to self-discovery. Through every small deed, Superman reminds us that heroism begins with trying, no matter the odds.
“Helping others is like changing future”
The film lovingly nods to the Christopher Reeve era of Superman. From a fantasy Daily Planet scene—complete with Jun Ji-hyun rocking Margot Kidder-inspired outfits—to a whimsical reinterpretation of the iconic “flying together” sequence (here cleverly transformed into crowd-surfing), The film taps into nostalgia while carving its unique path. Even the cameos are geek-chic gold: Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman’s lasso make playful appearances, grounding this unconventional film in the broader superhero mythos.
The one on the left is Batman (in Red) and one on the right is Robin (in Yellow)
Superman’s kryptonite, embedded in his skull, is a constant reminder of his limitations. Yet, every smile he brings to someone’s face weakens its hold. It’s a powerful metaphor for how small acts of kindness chip away at the negativity that weighs us down. There’s child like happiness which comes when you are helping someone, seeing their smile gives us a rush of dopamine and it starts to look like the sun is shining even brighter.
Clark Kent and Lois Lane at the Daily Planet
There’s even a subtle nod to global warming—Superman’s polar home is melting, reflecting real-world challenges. The message? The world needs heroes more than ever, and heroism begins with us.
The movie captures the spirit of helping others as a way to change the future, It reminded me of All-Star Superman. Grant Morrison’s masterpiece focuses on Superman’s final days, where he dedicates his remaining time to making the world better, not through grand battles but by uplifting humanity.
Similarly, our Korean Superman embodies this ethos. He doesn’t fight supervillains or lift skyscrapers; instead, he changes lives through small, meaningful actions. One scene in All-Star Superman shows Superman saving a young girl from suicide, simply by being there and offering hope—a scene that mirrors the tender humanity and quiet heroism of our film’s protagonist.
Superman saves a Girl
In the end, A Man Who Was Superman isn’t just a movie—it’s a call to action. It shows how one person’s belief in doing good can inspire a ripple effect. It reminds us that being a hero isn’t about capes, powers, or glory. It’s about trying. Superman may not be perfect, but he’s proof that trying to make the world better is what truly makes us super.
So, the next time you think being a hero is out of reach, remember this: “Strength doesn’t open steel doors, but small keys do. We all have the key inside us to open the door to a new future.”
This movie is a love letter to the superhero genre, wrapped in a heartfelt, distinctly Korean narrative. It’s quirky, poignant, and brimming with hope—everything a modern Superman story should be. So grab your cape (or just your heart), and let this gem remind you that, yes, we can all be super.
