Jae-young Kwak (My Sassy Girl, Windstruck, Classic)

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 30 Dec 2007, 22:52

That's me watched all of Jae-young Kwak's films. Well he has a new one coming out (My Mighty Princess) but never mind that. What did you guys think of My Sassy Girl, Windstruck and the Classic?

I mean obviously My Sassy Girl is his masterpiece. My personal favourite Korean film and my second favourite Asian film.

His sort of "emotional-prequel" Windstruck wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be. Yes it's far from perfect but I thought it was quite a nice companion piece to My Sassy Girl.

Conversely, I found the Classic to be a little overrated. I'd give it a 3.5/5. It is a good tear-jerker but not much else. However, I'm a sucker for Asian melodramas. It just felt really empty - not a lot of depth was given behind the mother's relationship with her old boyfriend (and why they absolutely couldn't be together). Even the "twists" were a tad predictable and convinient. No way near as creative as the ones in MSG.

But nah like I said - I enjoyed it but it's not the gift from God I expected it to be.

So Jae-young Kwak then. One masterpiece and two decent-ish films so far.

Wonder what My Mighty Princess will be like.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 30 Dec 2007, 23:16

Loved My Sassy Girl.
Adored Windstruck.

Didn't like The Classic. I probably just wasn't in the right mood for it (will give it another go in a few months).

Now that I've seen many more korean melodramas, MSG and Windstruck are not as high on my list as they used to be.
I think Lovers' Concerto is a better film, followed closely by A Moment to Remember.
And there's "A Man who Went to Mars", Failan and Il Mare to consider as well.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 31 Dec 2007, 00:46

My Sassy Girl = Good
The Classic = Average-Dull
Windstruck = Fucking god awful.

Kwak Jae-young started off well but quickly became the king of brainless melodrama. Everything that's god awful about Korean cinema can be found in Windstruck & The Classic, both are utterly devoid of any creative flair or originality.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 31 Dec 2007, 02:11

My Sassy Girl got me into Asian cinema/led me to rediscover it; I no longer like it as much as I used too because it has the annoying characteristics of most Korean films, but I still regard it as being pretty good.

Windstruck was the most stupid film I have ever seen, yes, moreso than Beerfest - contrived stupidity is even more of an offense.

Never saw The Classic, I was well warned.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 31 Dec 2007, 06:07

MSG isn't as funny on a second viewing but it's still a classic. I've not seen the other two.

MSG should still get a flipping release outside of Asia. I don't give a monkey's about rights or if it has to be the Theatrical Cut. Just release is!

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 31 Dec 2007, 11:15

tom2681 wrote:Loved My Sassy Girl.
Adored Windstruck.
Didn't like The Classic. I probably just wasn't in the right mood for it (will give it another go in a few months).

OMG - can't believe we more or less agree on these three films.

I've only seen MSG once but not sure if I can watch it again, as I found it very overwhelming the first time.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 31 Dec 2007, 13:21

Bisc wrote:can't believe we more or less agree on these three films.

I think we're more or less on the same page regarding korean cinema.

I was never able to understand why so many people don't like Windstruck, though.
It's got great cinematography, great melodrama, awesome music, it's got Jeon Ji-Hyun and Jang Hyuk in it, and it even has a decent plot (which is quite unusual for this type of film).

Even with my movie-critic hat on, I can't find anything wrong with this film.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 31 Dec 2007, 15:32

tom2681 wrote:
Bisc wrote:can't believe we more or less agree on these three films.
I think we're more or less on the same page regarding korean cinema.

I was never able to understand why so many people don't like Windstruck, though.
It's got great cinematography, great melodrama, awesome music, it's got Jeon Ji-Hyun and Jang Hyuk in it, and it even has a decent plot (which is quite unusual for this type of film).

Even with my movie-critic hat on, I can't find anything wrong with this film.

With your critics hat on do you still like Casshern?

Case closed.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 31 Dec 2007, 16:02

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 31 Dec 2007, 20:19

"Daisy" was written by Kwak. Awful film, though.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 31 Dec 2007, 20:46

Is it that bad?

I picked it up on 2 Disc Thai DVD cheap earlier this year. I'm going to have to burn my own DVD to watch it though as it's Thai DD5.1 with forced English subs or Korean DD5.1 with forced Thai subs. For some bloody reason.

It otherwise looks like a nice DVD and a Korean film in Europe does look intriguing.