Windstruck

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

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.

This film is about a rogue/overzealous police officer named Kyungjin (the very attractive Gianna Jun) who mistakenly takes a person in, thinking he stole a lady's purse. He is Myungwoo (Hyuk Jang), a new physics teacher in the local girl's school. They improbably become boyfriend and girlfriend and the first half of the film has a breezy quality, mostly comedic with some dashes of gritty action. The film turns sentimental in the second half, kind of unexpectedly. The closest I can enable some understanding is the Patrick Swayze film "Ghost". To say more would give the film away. Its a date movie, and it has its moments. Ms. Jun is a very good actress, she more than carried the film and she enjoys popularity in Korea. Be prepared to laugh and even to cry. Not great, it has its charms and it is worthwhile viewing.

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.

i saw this movie in Chinese so its probably a little different because translations r always a little different, but the movie is a great romantic comedy. yes, it is a bit too long at times and some scenes r obviously commercial, but its still a good film. the first hour mainly focuses on comedy and the relationship between the 2 characters. the second hour is mainly drama and how the main character deal with the tragedy.

at first i didn't expect much from this film at all, it looked like any other korean romantic comedy for teens, but it turned out much better than i expected.