Jukdo Surfing Diary (2020)

Bristling Sea Breeze

Do you ever feel stressed? Do you need a fresh start? A small coastal village in South Korea may not sound exciting, but once you hear the thundering splashes of waves and silent whistles of the breezes, you may think differently. It is the first Surfing Film to come out of Korea, which is surprising.

I might be in the minority, but Lee Hyun Seung films The Blue in You (1992), IL Mare (2000), and Hindsight (2011) not meant for mass appeal, but a more severe tone rather than the dramatics we notice in films and shows. It is Lee Hyun Seung's first feature film in nine years, and I was overexcited when I heard about the production four years ago. Director Lee Hyun Seung's usual arthouse aesthetic style delivers vibrance about the daily activities yet simple lives on Jukdo Island, South Korea.

Many people around the world might not know, but Jukdo Beach is a surfing hotspot. There are spots around the world that go unnoticed and the small village in Gangwon-Do Province. South Korea is a famous spot for surfers to gather. It is a shame there are no considerable swells in the summertime, but there are excellent swells in the spring and fall.

The film gives a realistic portrait of surfers' worries about the destruction occurring in the small village, while they eat, sleep, and live for surfing. The film incorporates various humanistic stories. In my opinion, every character works in unison to vividly portray the waves and people. The movie might not suit your tastes, but it is a break from the usual films.

For instance, we can connect with Jeon Hye Bin's character Soo-Jeong escaping the stress from work in Seoul while she learns to express her freedom through surfing. Her character reminded me of the main person in Little Forest. Kim Viju depicts a 12-year old surfer high-spirited, and her positive actions put a smile on the audience's face. Veteran actors Oh Gwang Rok, Park Ho San, and Jung Tae Woo appear in this little gem invigorate the story. All these actors love surfing or are surfing enthusiasts in real-life that made the film flow freely. The OST is nothing special, but it works nonetheless.

The film manipulates cinematography skillfully, considering the low budget. The director skillfully uses Jukdo Beach as a backdrop to paint a colorful picture of the laidback and surfing life. I will admit some shots were blurry or meant to look like a documentary as there was no real plot. Again, it was a slice of life surfing film. The film might entice you, which I would say give it go. It is a beautiful movie to sit back and relax during a rainy day or night time watch.

Final Overal Rating 8.41
Story: 8.62
I will rewatch this sometime in the future. It was a great movie in my book coming from a great director.

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