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A Werewolf Boy
늑대소년
2012 122 min South Korea 12+
★7.9
Romance, Fantasy
Director: Jo Sung-hee
Trailers
Description
An unexpected phone call brings an elderly woman to her childhood country cottage, and memories of an orphan boy she knew 47 years ago come flooding back to her.
US Gross:
$342,922
Starring
Song Joong-ki
Actor
Park Bo-young
Actor
Lee Yeong-ran
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2013
— Best Costume Design
Key opinion
A Werewolf Boy is widely regarded as a deeply moving and emotionally resonant fairy tale that explores themes of unconditional loyalty and the endurance of love. While many viewers are captivated by the poignant performances and bittersweet atmosphere, others find the narrative simplistic and hindered by formulaic melodrama.
| Acting | Song Joong-ki’s performance effectively conveys complex loyalty and canine-like devotion with minimal dialogue and highly expressive physicality. | |
| Production | The film captures an evocative, autumnal, and rural aesthetic that provides a beautiful, grounded backdrop for its central romance. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some praise its sincere emotional depth and rejection of erotic clichés, while others criticize it as a collection of repetitive, predictable melodramatic tropes. | |
| Production | Opinions on the technical execution are divided; many viewers find the modest CGI and werewolf makeup distracting or cheap, though some argue these flaws are eclipsed by the strength of the performances. | |
| Direction | The directorial approach is polarizing; while some appreciate the fairy-tale tone and emotional sensitivity, others find the storytelling lacklustre, non-subtle, and prone to cartoonish characterization. |