On a television show billed as the greatest fight show on Earth eager amateurs with lots to prove boldly step into the ring and expect to leave bloody but victorious. The ratings hungry producers seek out legendary but largely forgotten streetfighters and mine their desperation for recaptured glory and redemption into ratings gold. Three old friends and rivals from high school days who get their invitation to the big fight for the chance to win $200000 and much more. 25 years later - Deok-kyu whose Olympic dreams were dashed now runs a struggling noodle shop. Jae-seok who always wanted to be number one but still finds himself in a third-rate gang. And Sang-hoon a thug turned corporate executive who must go back and find his bloodlust one last time.
Review
i think to be an actor is not an easy occupation and to be a Korean actor well might be even tougher. why being a Korean action actor you got to have some real tough training in fighting skills not just phantom boxing or kicking. signing up a movie like this 'fists of legend' is definitely not a job that you could waltz through the whole nine yards just by mimicking the movements of a modern day MMA fighter you have to look real and act convincingly enough otherwise you might ruin the whole production. in this film we see several familiar faces of the best popular Korean actors doing the amazing fighting scenes and you'd better believe it since there's not a scene that does not look real. i do believe that some makeup artists did a great job to all the players in the ring but they just cannot makeup the real sweat raining down from the bodies of those great actors. this is a very good Korean movie that not just portrays how Koreans love the MMA but also shows that this is a tough race to deal with. thinking about the Koreans in the north of 38 degrees they are even tougher than the south. look what the mother and the daughter pushing the sonfather to keep fighting not just for money but for pride integrity and principles. another great Korean movie that is for sure but definitely not for the lame and timid hearts.