This is not a werewolf movie, nor is it a horror film, a thriller, or an action adventure. If A Werewolf Boy were to be contrasted with the wealth of werewolf related films and TV shows America has been quick to produce over the past decade, this South Korean romantic fantasy drama would, undoubtedly, be the best.
At the same time however, though a love story at heart, the romantic themes bear no resemblance to plots developed from Nicholas Sparks' novels, nor are they similar to the romantic fantasy Painted Skin. A film conceived both tenderly and with much innocence, A Werewolf Boy focuses specifically on emotions and feelings, rather than desirous outward affection.
Soon-Yi (Yeong-ran Lee) is an elderly woman - a grandmother - living in the United States, when a phone call regarding family property causes her to return to South Korea. Upon returning to the home she once resided in, she is immediately overcome with memories from her short time there as a child.
Bo-yeong Park gives an outstanding performance, which is not only refreshingly lively but emotionally powerful, as the young Soon-Yi, a sickly adolescent girl who is home-schooled by her mother (Young-nam Jang). Although she has a familial relationship with her sister, Sun-ja (Hyang-gi Kim), Soon-Yi is largely isolated, with no friends her own age, and we are able to further glimpse how she feels through the poetry she produces. After the death of their father, they move from Seoul, to a life of poverty in the country, under the domineering eye of their vile landlord Ji-tae (Yeon-Seok Yoo), who deserves kudos for portraying such a wretchedly, arrogant man.
Not long into their stay at the residence, Soon-Yi finds they are not alone at the establishment with the discovery of a young, unidentifiable vagrant later named Chul-soo (Joong-ki Song), who is more animal than human, some suspecting him of being orphaned during the Korean War. Unable to communicate verbally, and with lacking social skills, Song's ability to convey emotion through growls and facial expressions is truly excellent.
Originally viewed as a nuisance by Soon-Yi and her sister after their mother takes him in, Chul-soo begins to adopt an ability to understand those around him, and settle comfortably into their lives as Soon-Yi dedicates much of her time to assisting him. In doing so, she begins to reveal the boy inside, and despite there been many who genuinely care for Chul-soo, there are an equal number of people who believe him to be a formidable danger. As these feelings escalate, paranoia and animosity befalls members of the community, and Chul-soo's future with Soon-Yi and her family is put in jeopardy.
But after all this time has passed, is Chul-soo still waiting for the only girl he ever loved? Although much of the cast is young, the talent's intellectual depiction of their roles makes for a deeply emotional experience. Cleverly told, with mature, likable characters, A Werewolf Boy certainly offers its viewers a very unique experience. The effects, although infrequent, are exceptionally produced, and the soundtrack that accompanies the scenes really sets the mood.
Much of the film takes place on the land Soon-Yi's family lives on, and though there are many films that require a wealth of locations, A Werewolf Boy is not one of them, and manages to keep the viewer's attention through the use of character development and plot. Moreover, the camera-work brilliantly captures the environment the story is set in, revealing the countryside's beauty.
Despite there been a couple of story elements that remain largely unexplained, answers are not crucial for viewers to enjoy the feature, and although the film's final scene is a little anticlimactic, I personally am unable to find fault with the feature. A beautiful, heartwarming story about love, family, struggle and humanity, A Werewolf Boy is the kind of film that should come equipped with a gigantic box of tissues, because by the end, you are definitely going to need them.
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