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When Taekwondo Strikes

Name: When Taekwondo Strikes
Director: Huang Feng
Released: 1973
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

5.0/10

Fair

1973

Director

Huang Feng

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

When Taekwondo Strikes succeeds in providing high ability to act to non-Western protagonists by centering a historical struggle against colonial power. The film subverts Western-centric action clichés by focusing on Korean resistance during the Japanese occupation. While the racial and cultural representation is strong, the film remains limited by traditional gender hierarchies. Female characters, though physically capable, function within a narrative primarily driven by male characters and their capture. The film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disability, adhering to the standard genre conventions of 1970s martial arts cinema.

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Category Breakdown

Does When Taekwondo Strikes have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

There are no visible LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities in the film.

How does When Taekwondo Strikes portray gender?

Fair

The film includes active participation from female protagonists like Angela Mao and Anne Winton in the rescue mission, but the plot remains centered on a male-driven resistance movement.

How racially and ethnically diverse is When Taekwondo Strikes?

Excellent

The story centers the Korean experience under Japanese occupation, featuring a diverse East Asian cast navigating a conflict defined by ethnic and national identity.

How does When Taekwondo Strikes represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative explores anti-imperialism and resistance against occupying forces, suggesting an intersection of religion and political struggle through a church setting and the torture of a priest.

Does When Taekwondo Strikes include disability representation?

Minimal

No visible or invisible disabilities are portrayed as central to the character arcs or plot development.

Present on Screen

Centers the Korean experience and resistance against Japanese occupation.
Provides high ability to act to East Asian characters within a historical context.
Features female protagonists like Angela Mao who exercise physical ability to act in combat.

Limited or Absent

The narrative remains heavily centered on a male-driven resistance arc.
Lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
No characters with visible or invisible disabilities are featured in the plot.

Official Synopsis

The story is about the Japanese occupation of Korea during World War II. A Korean patriot played by Carter Wong gets into a fight with some Japanese people and is chased into a church. The priest there is captured and tortured. Trying to secure his release, the leader of the resistance, Jhoon Rhee is himself captured and tortured by the Japanese. Carter Wong, Angela Mao and Anne Winton have to now try and rescue him. This leads to an explosive climax with the heroes having to fight the likes of Wong In Sik (Hwang In-Shik), Sammo Hung and Kenji Kazama.

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