“Arahan” (아라한 장풍 대작전)

By Jae-Ha Kim
Substack
January 4, 2024

☆☆☆☆
Sang-hwan (played by Ryoo Seung-bum)
Eui-jin (played by Yoon So-yi)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.

“Arahan” wasn’t on my radar when it was released two decades ago. By today’s standards, it’s unsophisticated in special effects and a bit gaudy looking.

But with all that said, it was refreshing to watch a Korean production that showcased actors who look like everyday people, who aren’t a whiter shade of pale.

Sang-hwan is a police officer who is too much of a ‘fraidy cat to be a standout on the force. But through his friendship with Eui-jin, who has extraordinary fighting skills, he learns that he has untapped super powers of his own.

This revelation comes in handy as he’s required to fight evil to literally save the world. Is it corny? A little too much to be considered a great film. But it’s good enough to keep viewers intrigued until the end.

Trivia: Director Ryoo Seung-wan cast his brother, Ryoo Seung-bum, as the star of the film.

Airdates: This 114-minute film released on April 30, 2004 in South Korea. (I watched it on Netflix.)

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