Tubi TV is an American ad-supported streaming service owned by Fox Corporation. Did you know that Tubi TV has a specific category just for Korean dramas? You can find K-drama gems on Tubi TV that have somehow flown under the radar, that may or may not be available on the more popular streaming platforms. "Swing Kids" is an underrated historical gem available for free on Tubi TV, free with ads. It is also available free on Viki, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime, etc. This movie is intense!
Swing Kids is a Korean film set during the Korean War (1950–1953) at the Geoje POW Camp in South Korea, a real prison camp that held North Korean and Chinese prisoners captured by UN forces. Although it includes dance and music, this is ultimately a war film—one that is intense, emotionally heavy, and painfully realistic.
The story centers on an American commander, Brigadier General Roberts (Ross Kettle), whose arrogance, ignorance, and racism drive much of the conflict. Obsessed with propaganda, he orders that a group of prisoners be taught tap dance, believing this will “prove” that even communist prisoners secretly want to be Westernized. His worldview is shallow and cruel, reducing human lives to political theater.
The task falls to Jackson (Jared Grimes), a Black American soldier and former Broadway tap dancer. Jackson wants nothing more than a transfer away from Korea, and the commander promises him reassignment if he succeeds. Though he obeys out of duty and self-interest, Jackson gradually becomes emotionally invested in the people he teaches.
Four individuals are chosen to form the dance team—three male prisoners and one female civilian. Each represents a life destroyed or derailed by ideology and war, and each has deeply human reasons for wanting to dance.
Yang Pan-Rae (Park Hye-soo) is an orphaned civilian who speaks multiple languages and works as a translator. She hopes dancing might give her a chance to leave Korea and start anew in America. Xiaofang (Kim Min-ho), a Chinese soldier, has the soul of a choreographer; though war crushed his dreams, tap dance allows him to dream again. Kang Byung-sam (Oh Jung-se), a South Korean falsely accused of communism, believes fame might help his lost wife find him. Finally, Rho Ki-soo (Do Kyung-soo), a celebrated North Korean soldier, risks being labeled a traitor simply by wanting to learn an “enemy” dance—but his passion is irresistible.
As a viewer, you grow deeply attached to each dancer, including Jackson. You hope desperately for a happy ending. Without spoilers, the film’s conclusion is devastating—and unforgettable.
- FUN FACT: “Swing Kids has been listed on the top 5 dance movies alongside legends like the Hollywood movies, ‘Chicago’ and ‘Happy Feet’, and the first ever Korean movie in history granted to use the Beatles song “Free as a Bird” as part of the movie soundtrack.” (Quotesource)
Rotten Tomatoes Indie. “Swing Kids Trailer #1 (2018).” YouTube, 12 Dec. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvWX6TvxyKU.
- REF: cmoneyspinner. “Swing Kids 2018: Korean Musical Film with Kyungsoo.” PopGeeks, 31 Jan. 2023.
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