By Lee Minji
Embark on a unique comic adventure with the new Netflix series, “The Wonderfools,” set in the nostalgic year of 1999. Acclaimed actress Park Eun-bin takes on the role of Eun Chae-ni, a spirited resident of the fictional Haeseong City. Though grappling with chronic heart disease, Eun Chae-ni’s life takes an extraordinary turn when she unexpectedly gains the power to teleport, marking the beginning of an exciting superhero journey.
Eun Chae-ni isn’t alone in her newfound abilities. “The Wonderfools” introduces a diverse group of ordinary Haeseong residents who also transform into unexpected superheroes. Among them is her kind-hearted friend, a humble onion-peeler at her grandmother’s restaurant, and a disgruntled father, overlooked by his family after facing unemployment post-Asian financial crisis, struggling to find new opportunities.
This unlikely team of heroes, joined by a mysterious public servant portrayed by popular singer-actor Cha Eun-woo, must unite their powers. Their mission: to safeguard their serene town from emerging villains in this captivating K-drama.
Park Eun-bin, celebrated for her critically acclaimed role in “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” shared how she first learned about “The Wonderfools.” The discussion began during a casual chat with director Yoo In-shik on the set of their 2022 legal drama, hinting at a highly anticipated reunion.
“I heard about ‘The Wonderfools’ in front of a gimbap place while filming ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo.’ I immediately felt it would be an incredibly fun project with immense potential,” Park Eun-bin revealed at a Seoul press conference. She expressed her pleasant surprise that this exciting collaboration materialized so swiftly.
Director Yoo In-shik, the visionary behind “The Wonderfools,” elaborated on his decision to cast Park Eun-bin as the main lead. He emphasized his long-held belief that there’s no challenge too great for the talented actress.
“During the filming of ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo,’ I was consistently amazed. I felt there’s truly nothing impossible for Park Eun-bin; she can tackle anything,” Director Yoo shared. He praised her for her excellent sense of humor, boldness, and courage, expressing gratitude that she joined the “The Wonderfools” cast without hesitation.
Drawing inspiration from classic superhero and action adventures like “The Goonies” and the Indiana Jones series, Director Yoo In-shik expressed his aspiration for “The Wonderfools.” He hopes the new Netflix K-drama will evoke the same sense of childhood fun and excitement for its viewers.
“At its core, a series in this genre must be fun, akin to the exhilarating thrill of an amusement park ride,” Yoo explained. “We aim for continuous fun and laughter, making viewers wish it would never end, while also delivering a deeply heartwarming experience.”
Park Eun-bin wholeheartedly echoed this sentiment regarding “The Wonderfools.”
“My primary motivation for embarking on ‘The Wonderfools’ was the desire to simply have fun,” the acclaimed actress stated. “Among all the characters I’ve portrayed, Eun Chae-ni possesses a wonderfully straightforward mindset. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring her world, and I sincerely hope viewers will find equal joy in that experience.”
Mark your calendars: The highly anticipated superhero series, “The Wonderfools,” is scheduled to premiere at 5 p.m. Friday, exclusively on Netflix.
