Dickens & Rumi
Cover of A Man Who Was Superman

film

A Man Who Was Superman

2008

A snobbish producer makes a documentary about the extraordinary behavior of her neighbor who believes himself to be Superman.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character5/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Kindness & empathy5/5
  • Positive messages5/5
  • Courage & resilience4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Brief mentions of media production and professional settings; no product placement push.

Death of a character5/5
Why this rating?

Central theme involves the death of the protagonist's family and his own eventual death while attempting a heroic rescue.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Depicts brief, non-graphic aftermath of accidents; medical procedures mentioned.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

No strong profanity or slurs are identified. Some mild conflict-related terms such as “bad guys” appear, but the evidence is limited.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Repeated life-threatening scenes include burning vehicles and buildings, explosions, a collapsing structure, seizures, trapped people, and a child in danger. A major character dies during a rescue.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes a robbery, political unrest, shooting, dangerous rescues, a burning car and building, falls, and peril involving children and adults.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist consistently displays courage by attempting to help others despite his vulnerability.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Magical realism, the Superman perspective, documentary-making, and inventive symbolic storytelling encourage imagination and reflection.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Reflects a variety of individuals within a Korean urban social context.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

The film offers context about the Gwangju Democratization Movement and explores trauma, public responsibility, media ethics, and mental illness, though education is not its primary aim.

Kindness & empathy5/5
Why this rating?

Kindness is the core driver of the narrative and the protagonist's legacy.

Positive messages5/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes of empathy, selflessness, and the impact of individual actions on the community.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Lee models self-sacrifice and care despite severe trauma; Soo-jung grows from exploitative ambition toward empathy, though Lee’s recklessness is not wholly safe to imitate.

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Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. Where did a character show kindness or empathy, and what changed because of it?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in A Man Who Was Superman would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in A Man Who Was Superman, and what caused that change?
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