Like A Virgin

Chubby high school student Oh Dong-gu desperately wants to be a girl. Ridiculed in classes and stricken with a dysfunctional family, he takes solace in his rich fantasy life fueled by, of course, Madonna. Working a back-breaking part-time job, Oh Dong-gu is saving up the 5 million won it will take for his sex-change operation, with little success. When the hunky new wrestling teacher makes an appearance, he takes a brief interest in the sport and even more so when he hears there's a huge case prize awarded to the best Ssireum (tradition Korean wrestling) champion. He begins to train in earnest and despite some heavy obstacles - his violent, alcoholic father, his estranged mother and an unrequited love - he works toward achieving his dream (and teaches his fellow wrestlers some hot dance moves in the process). It ain't easy, but he's a boy with a mission: with Madonna in his heart and money on his mind, he wrestles his way towards girlhood.

Funny, touching and smart, Like a Virgin is one of a growing number of South Korean films distinguished by strong queer characters (The King and the Clown and No Regret come to mind). Oh Dong-gu's character takes centre stage and (thanks to wonderful performance by lead actor Deok-Hwan Ryu) emerges as an unforgettable queer hero. It takes guts, talent and whole lot of something special to make it through the wilderness and the kid does it with style. Madge would be proud.