The WONDERfools Review: Is It a Wonder or a Flop?

The story kicks off in a quirky, sleepy town right on the cusp of the year 2000. As doomsday panic spreads like wildfire and locals stock up on canned goods, a group of eccentric, completely unqualified townies stumbles headfirst into unexpected superpowers.

At the center of this madness is Eun Chae-ni (played by the always-magnetic Park Eun-bin), a local with infectious energy, and Lee Un-jeong (the effortlessly charming Cha Eun-woo), a character who finds himself utterly out of his depth. Along with an ensemble of local misfits-including Son Gyeong-hun (Choi Dae-hoon), Kang Ro-bin (Im Sung-jae), and Kim Pal-ho (Bae Na-ra)-this ragtag team must band together. They aren't just fighting the usual growing pains of the turn of the century; they are the only line of defense against a mysterious, rising evil threatening their town. Add in veteran powerhouses Kim Hae-sook as Kim Jeon-bok and Son Hyun-joo as Ha Won-do, and you have a recipe for generational comedic gold.

What makes The WONDERfools work so brilliantly is its sheer refusal to take itself too seriously. Yoo In-sik trades the glossy, high-tech labs of modern sci-fi for dusty arcades, retro storefronts, and the warm, fuzzy glow of CRT monitors. The turn-of-the-century setting isn't just a gimmick; it’s a living, breathing character that informs the comedy, the fashion, and the stakes.

Park Eun-bin is, unsurprisingly, the beating heart of the show. Coming off a string of massive dramatic hits, she pivots back to pure, unadulterated comedy with Eun Chae-ni. She plays the role with a frantic, wide-eyed enthusiasm that makes it impossible to look away. Her chemistry with Cha Eun-woo's Lee Un-jeong is a masterclass in dynamic contrast. Cha Eun-woo brilliantly sheds his usual "perfect prince" persona to lean into the goofy, bewildered comedy of a guy who just wants to survive the apocalypse with his dignity intact.

The supporting cast is equally stellar. Im Sung-jae and Choi Dae-hoon provide some of the biggest belly laughs of the summer, while the legendary Kim Hae-sook brings her signature grounded warmth (and sharp tongue) to the mix.

At 80 minutes, the pacing is a double-edged sword. On one hand, there is zero filler. The jokes fly fast, the action sequences are surprisingly kinetic and creative, and the narrative never drags. On the other hand, the world-building is so delightful that you’ll find yourself wishing you could spend another three hours hanging out in this town. The sci-fi elements are soft, relying more on comic-book fun than hard logic, which fits the nostalgic Saturday-morning-cartoon vibe perfectly.

Pros

• Dynamic Duo: Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo have incredibly infectious, chaotic chemistry.
• Immaculate Nostalgia: The Y2K aesthetic, fashion, and soundtrack are spot-on.
• Tight Pacing: An 80-minute runtime means the story moves at breakneck speed with no boring subplots.
• Ensemble Magic: Legendary veterans Kim Hae-sook and Son Hyun-joo anchor the wacky plot with genuine heart.

Cons

• Too Brief: The 80-minute runtime leaves you wanting a lot more time with these characters.
• Light on Lore: Fans looking for deep, complex sci-fi lore might find the superpower explanations a bit too simple.

The WONDERfools is a breath of fresh air in a saturated genre. It’s nostalgic, hilarious, and packed with just enough heart to make you care about its lovable band of losers. Boasting a stellar 8.991/10 on TMDb and a strong 7.9/10 on IMDb, it’s clear that audiences are falling head over heels for this millennial time capsule. Grab some popcorn, dig out your old cargo pants, and let yourself get swept up in the end-of-the-world fun.