Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard (2009)

Aside from Rom-Com/Melodrama genre, I am also a martial-arts-fight-scene-fanatic and Woochi served up perfectly on my craving for one. Throw in fantasy along with it - I completely became hooked.

What's to like about this movie aside the fight scenes? Kang Dong Won.

I always have this image of him in my head flying around in his fight stance and martial art moves. I initially got that from the movie Duelist. And now, to see him once again just like before, minus that serious manner he sported in his previous film, I just had to see this movie.

Then comes in our pretty Seo In Kyung who was casted in "Finding Mr. Destiny" and "...ing", I have never realized how vital her character was until the very end. That doesn't go the same to the other supporting roles though, BUT they are still essential in this film. They made this film comedic, action packed and yet interesting all at the same time.

Woochi has a very interesting story line once you have immersed yourself into it. Hopefully you don't get distracted too much from the character's mischief and fight scenes because it has a really decent plot line to begin with.

There were two settings in this film, first from a sageuk setting and second on a post modern era which is our present date. Cinematography wise on both settings were awesome. You would know that most of it are CG effects but still, to conceptualize something like that takes a lot of creative thinking.

As for the OST, it is perky and quite catchy and if you listen up to the very end, the tune would probably still be in your head. Then you would revert on thinking back on specific scenes of the movie because of that.

I would recommend this to people who wants a feel-good-none-heavy-story-line completed with action and fantasy.

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I've read a bit about the legend of Jeon Woo Chi, and before I watched this movie I watched the drama Jeon Woo Chi, about the same guy but with a twist on the story. I can understand why this adaptation of the legend is more appealing than the drama.

The story in itself is alright and even features some twists and turns towards the end, but it's the characters that make this show a really enjoyable watch. The side characters are given their time to shine and all have their small comic moments. As for the main characters, Woochi is played by Kang Dong Won with an appropriate amount of overconfidence and flair, once again proving how great of an actor KDW is (I picked this movie up because of him). Woochi is portrayed, rightly and very effectively, as a daredevil and lady's man.

The rest of the cast is great in this movie too. There're Im Soo Jung, Kim Yoon Suk, and some other familiar faces you'll probably recognize if you watch enough Korean movies and dramas. Kang Dong Won plays Woochi with such flair and personality. Kim Yoon Suk takes the spotlight when he appears onscreen, which is good since he is the villain in this show. He has a great screen presence and aura about him. I recommend watching some of his other shows, like Punch. Im Soo Jung has a smaller role as the female protagonist so I have little to comment on.

The side characters hold their own and have their own time to shine, in completely hilarious ways. The time travel element of the story also gives us many moments of comedy.

Seeing that there is a lot of action and supernatural stuff going on this show, the CGI, the film spots and the sets are pretty impressive. The story features two eras - ancient Korea and modern Korea. What is really nice is seeing the bright lights of modern Seoul being featured in the movie, including the now-famous Cheonggyecheon stream.

JWC the drama portrays the character quite differently, since it is afforded more time and space to tell the story of how Woochi came to be the Woochi we know today. This being a movie, however, feels snappier and as a viewer, I feel more secure that it knows where the story is going.

Even though I did not get to watch this movie at one go, it is definitely an entertaining watch.

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