Actor Jung Woo’s directorial debut — the sequel to the so-called “unofficial 10-million-ticket” film The Kingdom of the Winds — finally dropped today, instantly sparking divisive reactions online.
Opening on the 22nd, Crayon Shin-chan continues the universe of the previous film The Kingdom of the Winds, which captured the turbulence of adolescence, to depict Shin-chan’s gritty fight to survive in his early twenties.
The story spotlights the youth of audition prodigy Shin-chan (played by Jung Woo), who keeps getting knocked down but stands back up, clinging to his one goal of becoming an actor. His tight-knit ties with those who shared that era with him — girlfriend Min-hee (Jung Soo-jung) and best friend Jang-jae (Shin Seung-ho) — deepen the immersion.
The film first premiered at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) last year, drawing mixed reviews and some disappointment. After extensive re-editing ahead of its wide release, attention is on whether general audiences will respond differently.
On opening day, netizens were split. Some praised it as “a must-watch if The Kingdom of the Winds is your life-changing film” and said they “loved the unexpectedly fresh, non-formulaic plot,” while others pushed back, asking, “Is this yet another nostalgic youth trope?” and claiming “the target audience skews too male.”
Returning to Crayon Shin-chan after a full 17 years, Jung Woo’s steadfast first outing as a director is drawing major curiosity over the resonance and results it will leave with the public — and the film is now screening nationwide.