Overview of No Breathing

‘No Breathing’ is a sports film released in South Korea on 30 October 2013. The movie features Lee Jong-suk, Seo In-guk, and Kwon Yuri. It was directed by Jo Yong-sun and co-written by Yoo Young-ah and Jo Yong-sun. Also, the movie was distributed by Cineguru/Daou Tech.

‘No Breathing’ tells the story of two swimming prodigies and their sweetheart, Jung-eun (Kwon Yuri). Jo Won-il (Seo In-guk) and Jung Woo-sang (Lee Jong-suk) were rivals when they were young. Though Won-il has a promising career in swimming, he quit swimming after the death of his parents. Years later, the swimmers cross paths again, but this time, the situation becomes a little more entertaining when they fall in love with the girl Jung-eun.

Profile

Cast

Synopsis

Won-il gets expelled from his college, causing trouble after getting drunk. His parents died at a very young age. Therefore, he calls Jae-suk, his guardian, the best friend of his late father. They meet at a Korean restaurant, and while eating, Won-il tells his plan to do business in partnership. Jae-suk scolds him and asks him to complete his diploma course. Though Won-il initially hesitates, Jae-suk reminds him of the promise that he had given to his late mother.

In the meantime, Woo-sang, an international swimming candidate, gets into trouble when he picks up a fight with a fellow swimmer. Woo-sang’s status as a national figure makes the news spread like wildfire. Since Woo-sang is preparing for the Olympics for the coming year, the punishment from the management can affect his career. Therefore, his father arranges a special recruitment for the sports school in the middle of the academic year using his power and money after discussing the matter with some of the authority members.

Jae-suk uses the special recruiting opportunity to get admission for Won-il to the sports school. To ensure Won-il’s admission, he meets the coach at the school. The coach tries to turn him down by telling him that the special recruitment is conducted with the only intention of recruiting Woo-sang. Nonetheless, Jae-suk blackmails the coach and confirms Won-il’s admission.

Jae-suk arranges a room on the roof of his house for Won-il. On his first day at school, he meets his former rival, Woo-sang. At school, both Won-il and Woo-sang have to practice with the ongoing swimming batch. Woo-sang is familiar among the students due to his reputation as a national swimming candidate.

Won-il skips his first training class, telling the coach that he forgot his swimming suit. After the training practice, the swimming juniors in the group, Dae-chan and Jung-dong, ask Won-il to meet them in their room by the end of the day. Though the duo tries to create a feeling of respect and fear, Won-il shows no interest in them. Therefore, the duo decided to include him in their group. They spend the night eating and drinking.

In the meantime, Woo-sang is taking references to improve his swimming. From several videos, he learned about the technique of ‘no breathing’ and decided to master it. His father always wishes to see the victory of Woo-sang. Therefore, his father forces him to push his limits. To meet the expectations of his father, he sacrifices all his happiness. Woo-sang made several sacrifices including his childhood love, Jung-eun. He lost communication with Jung-eun when Woo-sang’s family moved to another country when he was young.

From the sports school, the swimming batch goes on an international study tour and special practice. There, Woo-sang meets his rival. Won-il and his team intervene in the argument when they see Woo-sang arguing with other swimmers. The argument leads to a swimming match between the two teams.

Surprising everyone, Won-sil swam faster than anyone from both groups. Upon returning, the swimming coach meets Jae-suk and tells him about Won-il’s exceptional performance using the ‘no breathing’ technique.

Won-il runs to meet Jung-eun with a small gift for her but before him, Woo-sang meets Jung-eun and gives her a big present. When Woo-sang tries to get close to Jung-eun, Won-il conceals his feelings for her in his heart and helps her.

At the time of the national selection for swimmers, Jung-dong joins Woo-sang and starts practising with him. However, one of the senior swimmers learns about his injury, which leads to his disqualification from the selected list. Jung-dong’s departure from the sports school disturbs Dae-chan and Won-il.

One day, Won-il gets into a fight with a senior who mocked Jung-dong’s disqualification. Due to the fight, Won-il gets expelled from the school, and he returns to Jae-suk’s house. One morning, he wakes up hearing loud noises. He opens the door and sees Woo-sang trying to break his door. Since Won-il goes back to his bed without listening to Woo-sang, he leaves his iPad on Won-il’s blanket.

Won-il opens the iPad and watches the last interview of his father. Through the interview, he realises the love that his father has for him and his mother. Later, he visits the memorial of his parents, where he finds his father’s swimming cap. He takes the cap and sees the motive of his father written on the swimming cap.

With the help of Woo-sang, Won-il joins the national swimming competition. Since Won-sil is expelled from the school, Jae-suk trains him. Likewise, Woo-sang also undergoes serious training under his special coach. Before the swimming competition, Won-sil tells Woo-sang to leave Jung-eun if he fails to win the competition.

During the competition, Won-il comes in first place and Woo-sang comes in second place. The movie ends by showing Won-il and Woo-sang heading forward to compete in the Olympics.

Theme

‘No Breathing’ tells the story of two national-level swimmers who practice for the Olympics. Won-il is a born swimmer, but due to his father’s death, he quits swimming. On the contrary, Woo-sang is a hard-working swimmer who swims for the happiness of his father. The unexpected friendship that buds between Won-il and Woo-sang encourages Won-il to prepare for swimming again in his life.

Awards

No information is available.

Interesting Facts about No Breathing

1. The filming of ‘No Breathing’ began on 19 May 2013 and Davao in the Philippines was included in the shooting locations. Also, the poster of the movie was shot in Davao.
2. According to the records, ‘No Breathing’ sold a total of 451,669 tickets in South Korea.
3. ‘No Breathing’ was internationally released in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

FAQs

1. Who is the director of ‘No Breathing’?
   Jo Yong-sun.
   
2. What is the Instagram ID of Seo In-guk?
   @seo_cccc.
3. When was the movie ‘No Breathing’ released?
   30 October 2013.