Nothing can stop the global domination of James Cameron’s Avatar – as it continues to blast to bits box office records, around the globe – but local Korean production Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard, seems to be having a damn good try. Opening just a week after the Hollywood blockbuster, the fantasy action comedy flick has been nipping at the heals of its far bigger budget rival ever since. It’s doubtful Taoist will take the number one spot, but if nothing else it proves that a lot of Koreans aren’t that bothered about watching Mecha, battles and big blue Aliens, when there’s an ancient Wizard in a big hat to see instead?!

Synopsis:

500 Years Ago in the Chosun Dynasty. The Pipe of the prophecy has fallen into the evil hands of the goblins, propelling the world into a whirlwind of disorder. The ancient Taoist wizards turn to the greatest ascetics of their time, the Master and Hwadam for help in vanquishing the goblins and trust each wizard with one half of the Pipe. Meanwhile, the Master’s rascal student Woochi tricks the king with the art of transformation and creates a fiasco, which makes the three Taoist wizards and Hwadam visit the Master. But the Master has been murdered and his half of the Pipe is missing! By taking his master’s pipe out to the market streets, Woochi has been pushed into a corner, ultimately getting sealed into a painting along with his trusty dog, Chorangyi.