Film Reviews: Two Korean Movies

I recently watched two Korean films. The first a fun fantasy comedy and the other an intriguing drama that considers the prejudice against foreigners in Korea.

Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard (2009)

Jeon Woo Chi is a delightful fantasy comedy about a young and rebellious wizard who misuses his magical gifts. Soon he finds himself in the middle of a fierce battle against demons looking for a magical flute. Three demi-gods decide to punish Woo Chi for his unruly behaviour and imprison him in a painting. Five hundred years later the demi-gods are in need of his help and summons him back, but now it is present day Korea. The main role is played by the charming Kang Dong-Won opposite Lim Soo-Jeong who acted in one of my favourite Korean movies: I’m a Cyborg, But That’s Okay (with Rain). Jeon Woo Chi is director Choi Dong-Hun’s third film. The others were Tazza (2006) and The Big Swindle (2004). Jeon Woo Chi is the only one of Choi Dong-Hun’s movie’s I’ve seen. While I’m not necessarily one for comedies, Jeon Woo Chi was an enchanting (sorry for the pun) joyride.




Bandhobi 반두비 (2009)

The story of a 17 year old Korean girl, Min-Seo, and a 29 year old migrant worker, Karim, whom is from Bangladesh, and there awkward relationship. The movie centres around the prejudice that Koreans typically have of foreigners and does a pretty good job to highlight racial issues in Korea. The film is completely devoid of a soundtrack – the scenes are often long, quiet, and uncomfortable, emphasizing the uncomfortable vibes foreigners sometimes. Even though Karim is fluent in Korean he is still an outsider and is looked down upon by Koreans; even Min-Seo, many years his junior speaks down to him. It is one of the more interesting Korean films I’ve seen. The film does reinforce the idea that all white male English teachers are perverts, but it is a stereotype required for the success of the story so I can overlook it. Although only 107 minutes in leghth, it did feel excruciatingly long at times. I think director Shin Dong-Il did an excellent job at capturing the emotional essence of prejudice against foreigners in Korea.