Windstruck

This movie is simply excellent. The story may be the typical Korean melodrama, but it's still a touching one nonetheless. A must watch for fans of Korean movies.

For fans of My Sassy Girl, Windstruck is also a must watch as Jun Ji Hyun is great in it. While some may say that this movie does not live up to its hype as the sequel to My Sassy Girl, I am inclined to disagree. The plot is in its own right beautiful, and there is no reason why not to catch this movie just because it is a supposed "clone" of My Sassy Girl. There are numerous easter eggs and references to My Sassy Girl here, and while I concede that some do not serve any real purpose in furthering the plot, most of them are pretty interesting, and would be instantly noticed by fans of My Sassy Girl.

It is rather long though, and at times can appear to be rather drawn out. However, it still rates as one of the best Korean movies I've ever watched.

Asians tend to like melodramatic romantic movie and this is one of them. It's basically a sorta a prequel to "My Sassy Girl" except some parts from the flashback in "My Sassy Girl" doesn't fit. And some characters seems to have moved around or at least the actor and actresses in the movie that is also in the other movie. The scenarios is sort of the same except the main guy protagonist this time is played by Jang Hyuk who I am a fan of as an actor. And is a way way much more likable character than Gyun-woo(Cha Tae-Hyun). Even if his character is less tough compared to the girl he falls for. If your one of those audiences that thought "My Sassy Girl" is ridiculous with it's scenarios. This one takes it to a whole another level and it can get pretty lame sometimes. It becomes really cartoon like sometimes with it's dialogues. The first half of this movie is the build up of the relationship between Ko Myung-Woo(Jang Hyuk) and Yeo Kyung-Jin(Gianna Jun) who is a female cop in this. And it shows why she acted the way she did with getting drunk and all but some aspect just seems a bit forced in out of nowhere. Not that I think the director planned for a prequel while making "My Sassy Girl" or anything like that. If you enjoy slightly cheesy fantasy and yet realistic style comedic romantic comedy this one might be for you. Which is like in "My Sassy Girl" which I think it's a slightly better flick.

7.5/10

The wind hits your face, but you shrug off the chill and continue on your way. Never once does the thought cross your mind that it might be someone you loved who is now dead and gone.

Windstruck is definitely not a comedy. Romance, Drama yes. Funny at parts, undoubtedly. But NOT a comedy.

Ji-hyun Jun and Hyuk Jang are the perfect pair and full of chemistry (although some disagree with me). The movie is sad and tear-jerking at several different scenes. I won't pretend that I know the director's style, and instead comment on the movie itself unlike most of my colleagues here.

The humor was great, and Hyuk Jang is shockingly refreshing acting opposite Ji-hyun because he actually has a backbone and is funny by himself, not funny to laugh at because he is so pitiful as in "My Sassy Girl." Unfortunately the humor goes away about half way in, and the remainder is quite depressing, with only a glimmer of hope left at the end.

Overall, I think the movie deserves a 10 out of 10, but I don't think that I ever want to see it again. Until I really want to cry....

This film had much promise. Some nice overhead shots of the city, a funny first encounter between the two main characters, but then it alternates between comedy, crime drama,romance and fantasy. The attempt is made several times to tug at the audience's heartstrings but how many times can this feat be successfully pulled off? By the last half hour, I just wasn't buying the "whimsy" anymore. The movie gets a marginal rec based on a good effort and an uproarious scene that takes place in the police station between a gangster and Myungwoo. Looking forward to seeing "Daisy" a film whose screenplay was written by Jae-young Kwak. If he directs again, let's hope that he'll be a little more focused and book more time in the editing room.

Windstruck (2004)

Starring: Jeon Ji-hyun, Hyuk Jang Directed by: Kwak Jae-young

I don't normally do spoilers, but potentially some people may feel I've revealed too much in this review.

* WARNING: POTENTIAL SPOILERS *

As Windstruck reunites director Kwak Jae-young with Jeon Ji-hyun from the extremely popular My Sassy Girl, there will always be a comparison for fans between the two. But whilst My Sassy Girl was outstanding and indeed led to the massive break for Jeon Ji-hyun, Windstruck pales in comparison with the former, and indeed, some may end up disappointed.

Windstruck tells of a novice cop, Kyungjin (Jeon), who mistakenly arrests a stranger, Myungwoo (Hyuk Jang), believing him to be a purse snatcher. Once the mistake is realised, they both start dating, with Myungwoo feeling he has to come to the rescue of his maverick girlfriend. Sadly, one time too many and it all goes wrong as Myungwoo is killed.

Windstruck isn't as well written as MSG. Whilst there is plenty of detail in the film, with great attention paid to sets, costumes, camera angels and so on, it lacks the overall substance to carry the story. Indeed, it's hard to work out what really is the theme of the movie. The characters aren't developed enough and I didn't find enough chemistry being built up in the story before Myungwoo's death.

Windstruck is effectively broken into two parts. The first two-thirds of the movie is much about their relationship blossoming, the last third is about how she copes with his death. In their blossoming relationship, you see sparks of the humour and cleverness that made MSG a success. The ending has the melodramatic tone that actually is somewhat clichéd. But the way it's been set up, neither part ever reaches what you'd think is a completeness, and you end up thinking, we could have had more.

And that's what really bugs me about this film. It is really two full length films, spliced and edited into one. It could be a very funny falling in love romcom, or it could be a very good drama about coping with death. But wrapping the two movie themes into one leaves you thinking it didn't have enough substance. Plus the whole thing could have been more cleverly edited.

Having seen all of Jeon Ji-Hyun's movies to date, I can say that she is a very talented actress. However, the shortening and splicing does mean that I don't feel her talent has been fully used. And much the same for Hyuk Jang.

Overall, there isn't enough magic for it to match MSG nor the brilliance of Jeon Ji-hyun's other films. But having said that, for most, it is still a pretty good film and it's still worth a watch. One for a windy day.