Windstruck

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Starring: Jeon Ji-hyeon as Yeo Kyung-jin,Jang Hyeok as Ko Myung-woo
Release year: 2004
Language: Korean
Subtitle: English

SYNOPSIS:
A devil-may-care police woman, Kyung-jin, gets to know a kind-hearted high school teacher Myung-woo when she mistakes him for a thief. After an awkward first encounter and a few more coincidences they start to become fond of each other. Although Kyung-jin is one tough girl, Myung-woo is always worried about her because of her recklessness. One day, when Myung-woo tries to help Kyung-jin during her risky pursuit of a criminal, an accident happens which causes Myung-woo not to be with Kyung-jin anymore. After the accident, Kyung-jin feels empty and lonely so she throws herself into perilous situations. However, whenever she falls in danger she feels that a strange but familiar sense in the wind is helping her out.

REVIEW:
"..."Windstruck" is also not much of a stretch for its actors. Jeon is given yet another chance to act mad, sad, and glad again, and for a while, her over-the-top antics are certainly charming. However, it soon proves to be too much of a good thing. Whereas Jeon's tearful performance in "My Sassy Girl" (especially when apologizing to Kyun-woo on a mountaintop) could reduce grown men to crybabies, the same magic fails to happen in "Windstruck". While this is partly due to the emotionally flat material, the other problem is that the sight of Jeon weeping goes into overkill, with her character breaking out in tears every few minutes until it becomes almost meaningless. Meanwhile, Jang traverses familiar territory in yet another 'lovable loser' role, similar to the work he did in films such as "Volcano High (Whasango)" and "Please Teach Me English (Yeongeo wanjeonjeongbok)"-certainly nothing new for him, but at least there is an earnest quality in his performance. A number of other familiar faces round out the cast, including Jang's "Volcano High" co-star Kim Su-ro as a street thug, as well as a humorous appearance by Lee Gi-wu of "The Classic".

Who has seen the "Windstruck"? A number of unhappy people apparently. "Windstruck" received quite a bit of critical drubbing since its 2004 summer theatrical release, both from the media and fans. While "Windstruck" may be welcome relief for Jeon Ji-hyun fans who have been longing for the spunky actress to return to her roots, (especially after her disappointing appearance in the arthouse horror film "The Uninvited")-- indeed, Kwak offers plenty of footage of the charming actress doing what she does best. Unfortunately, where "Windstruck" falls apart is in the storytelling. Instead of a genuinely moving romantic comedy in the vein of "My Sassy Girl", the emotionally detached "Windstruck" trades in schmaltzy clichés and trips over its scatterbrained script. It is rumored that both Jeon and her "My Sassy Girl" co-star Cha plan to work together again on Kwak's next film, with filming to begin at the end of 2004-hopefully, that collaboration will result in a film worthy of carrying on the legacy of "My Sassy Girl"."
Source: Mediacircus

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