InterviewDirector highlights superpowers, ‘B-grade’ humor in ‘The Wonderfools’

Director Yoo In-sik / Courtesy of Netflix

Following the global phenomenon of "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," director Yoo In-sik returns with comic hero series "The Wonderfools."

"When choosing a project, I ask myself if it makes my heart flutter or if it's a challenge I haven’t faced yet," Yoo said during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Friday.

He described the new series as a genre he has "long held close to his heart," revealing that it was actually in development even before "Extraordinary Attorney Woo."

"I was overjoyed when it finally came together, but since superhero stories were an unproven gamble in the domestic market when we started, I felt a fair amount of pressure," he admitted.

A lifelong fan of adventure classics like "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones," Yoo’s primary goal was to provide pure entertainment. "I’ve always wanted to create a drama where 'fun' was the absolute priority," he explained.

"I hope viewers can just unwind and enjoy the ride, laughing and being surprised. If they can go to bed with a sense of warmth rather than lingering bitterness, then I’ve achieved my goal."

Set in 1999, "The Wonderfools" is a "superpower comic adventure" following a band of eccentric townspeople who unexpectedly gain supernatural abilities. As the millennium looms, this unlikely crew — led by teleporting troublemaker Chae-ni (Park Eun-bin) and socially awkward, psychokinetic civil servant Woon-jung (Cha Eun-woo) — must clumsily defend their home from havoc-wreaking villains.

Regarding his second collaboration with actor Park following "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," Yoo noted that while the two characters seem like polar opposites at first glance, they actually share a common thread.

"It’s that boldness and courage," he explained. "They share a certain 'bulldozing' spirit —the way they just dive in headfirst even when everyone else is hesitating or saying no —and a unique sense of justice. In my view, those qualities are essentially built-in to actor Park herself."

Regarding Cha’s casting, Yoo emphasized the need for a mysterious aura to drive the story’s opening. "I reached out to him because he possesses an unreadable, otherworldly quality — a mix of clumsiness and a fairytale-like image," he explained.

Addressing the recent tax controversy surrounding the actor, the director admitted it was a challenge. "It would be dishonest to say I wasn't troubled by the situation, However, I believed my primary responsibility was to stay focused on making the final work as polished as possible," he said.

Poster for Netflix series "The Wonderfools" / Courtesy of Netflix

He shared that he wanted to capture the vibe of "Guardians of the Galaxy," leading him to give it the name, "Guardians of Haeseong City." He also revealed a behind-the-scenes detail about Woon-jung’s glasses, explaining that he wanted them to serve the same purpose as Clark Kent’s specs in "Superman" — a tool to mask his true identity.

"The scene where he takes off his glasses and tosses them was crucial, so I think we went through about a hundred different pairs before finding the perfect one," he added.

Comparing his show with other "ordinary people become heroes" narratives, such as the film "HI-FIVE" or the Disney+ hit "Moving," the director emphasized his focus on tone and manner.

"I felt that the superpowers should be grounded in reality to suit the story, so I aimed for a visual tone that intentionally suppressed flashy effects or cartoonish exaggerations," he explained.

"While they are heroes, these characters are also people desperately trying to overcome and escape their circumstances. I wanted to create a different kind of immersive experience — one where their confusion and fear feel genuinely real."

Yoo also shared that what initially drew him to the project was the contrast between the mainstream genre and the quirky energy of the characters and dialogue.

"The lines are like the taste of a battery — sour yet electric. I thought the unpredictable mindsets of these protagonists would create a strange, captivating charm when placed within this genre," he said. "It has that 'B-grade' humor, but I worked hard to maintain a unique flavor that differentiates it from typical kitsch throughout the entire story."

His ultimate hope for the series is that people simply enjoy the ride. He noted, "If viewers finish it thinking, 'That was a lot of fun,' I’m satisfied. After all, isn't that the greatest compliment an entertainment piece can receive?"