According to Chinese media outlets, including The Paper and Guangming Daily, Kung Fu Soccer earned more than 600 million yuan (approximately $84 million) within its first three days of release after premiering on July 11.
Industry forecasts suggest the film could ultimately surpass 2.5 billion yuan (around $350 million) at the Chinese box office. The movie serves as a spiritual successor to Stephen Chow’s iconic 2001 comedy Shaolin Soccer, following an underdog women’s football team that combines martial arts with soccer to achieve unlikely success.
The controversy centers on the fictional Korean women’s football team featured in the film. According to reports, the team is portrayed as:
- Being more concerned with makeup and cosmetic contact lenses than football.
- Committing deliberate fouls and violent tackles before pretending to be the victims to deceive referees.
- Speaking awkward Korean while shouting, “Referee, help us!”
- Serving as the primary antagonists during parts of the story.
Some viewers also argued that the team’s name appears to reference a well-known Korean women’s university, further fueling criticism.
The portrayal quickly sparked discussion across Korean online communities and social media. Critics argued that the film unfairly associates Korean women’s football with dirty play and superficial stereotypes. Comments included:
- This portrays Korean women’s football in a negative light.
- Even in comedy, mocking a specific country feels uncomfortable.
- Depicting the Korean team as obsessed with appearance and cheating went too far.
Others, however, urged audiences to consider Stephen Chow’s signature filmmaking style. Supporters noted that his films have long relied on exaggerated, slapstick humor and over-the-top villains, arguing that the characters should not necessarily be interpreted as direct commentary on Korea or its women’s football team.
Throughout his career, Stephen Chow has become known for absurd comedy, exaggerated characterizations, and intentionally unrealistic situations. Many of his films feature flamboyant villains and caricature-like personalities designed primarily for comedic effect rather than realism. Even so, critics argue that national stereotypes can carry different implications when applied to real countries or cultures, especially in internationally released productions.
Despite the growing debate in South Korea, Kung Fu Soccer continues to perform strongly at the Chinese box office. Whether the controversy will affect the film’s reception outside China remains to be seen, but the discussion has highlighted the fine line between broad comedy and cultural stereotyping in global entertainment.
Sources: Daum | 스포츠조선
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