The Wonderfools
2026 South Korean television series
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The Wonderfools (Korean: 원더풀스) is a 2026 South Korean superhero comedy action adventure television series created by Kang Eun-kyung, written by Heo Da-joong, directed by Yoo In-sik, and starring Park Eun-bin, Cha Eun-woo, Kim Hae-sook, Choi Dae-hoon, Im Seong-jae, and Son Hyun-joo. The series focuses on the experiences of "flawed superhumans", who are unable to control their abilities and end up using them unintentionally.
| The Wonderfools | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 원더풀스 |
| RR | Wondeopulseu |
| MR | Wŏndŏp'ulsŭ |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Kang Eun-kyung |
| Written by | Heo Da-joong |
| Directed by | Yoo In-sik |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Kim Tae-seung |
| Opening theme | "The Wonderfools" by Choe Jeong-in |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Cinematography |
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| Editor | Cho In-hyung |
| Running time | 60–92 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | May 15, 2026 |
The series entered development as early as 2018 under the working title The B-Team and was originally conceived as an adaptation of an original story idea by Stan Lee, before transitioning into a completely new original story. Co-produced by Kakao Entertainment and Fantagio, principal photography took place from October 2024 to May 2025. It was released globally on Netflix on May 15, 2026.
The Wonderfools received generally positive reviews; critics praised its warm-hearted humanism, late-1990s nostalgia, and the performances of its main and supporting cast. However, it received some mixed commentary regarding its early pacing, rapid tonal shifts, and final-act tension. Commercially, the series debuted at number six on Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English Shows chart.
Synopsis
In late 1999, as the impending arrival of the new millennium fuels widespread Y2K panic and apocalyptic doom-mongering, the fictional city of Haeseong becomes the epicenter of an unusual supernatural phenomenon. The city is home to a trio of social outcasts: Eun Chae-ni, a cynical, hot-tempered 27-year-old suffering from a severe congenital heart condition that leaves her facing sudden death; Son Kyung-hoon, a notorious public nuisance who constantly files petty civil complaints at city hall; and Kang Ro-bin, an overly timid man frequently treated as a neighborhood pushover.
Desperate to travel the world before her illness claims her life, Chae-ni concocts a hare-brained scheme to stage her own kidnapping alongside Kyung-hoon and Ro-bin in order to extort ransom money from her wealthy, overprotective grandmother, Kim Jeon-bok. However, the plan goes disastrously wrong when Chae-ni suddenly suffers a fatal heart attack. Panic-stricken, Gyeong-hun and Ro-bin attempt to dispose of her body near a local facility, unaware that illegal, toxic wastewater is leaking from a hidden laboratory. Exposure to the chemical waste unexpectedly resurrects Chae-ni and grants all three misfits erratic, uncontrollable superpowers. Chae-ni acquires the ability to teleport whenever her heart rate spikes; Kyung-hoon develops a hyper-adhesive secretion that triggers whenever he tells a lie; and Ro-bin is endowed with superhuman strength that is unleashed only when something emotional upsets him.
The entire incident is witnessed by Lee Un-jeong, a socially awkward, rigidly rule-oriented civil servant recently transferred to Haeseong City Hall from Seoul. Known by colleagues as an oddball, Un-jeong secretly possesses powerful telekinetic abilities. Recognizing his prowess, the newly empowered trio dubs him their "master" and pressures him into training them to control their unstable gifts. Un-jeong, who reluctantly complies, harbours his own dark secrets tied to a closed orphanage that once stood on the grounds now occupied by a fanatical doomsday cult, the Church of Eternal Salvation.
The source of the toxic pollutants is eventually traced back to the Wunderkinder Project, a brutal, covert human-experimentation program run by the ruthless scientist Ha Won-do. Decades prior, Won-do had subjected orphaned children to agonizing biological experiments in a bid to awaken superhuman abilities and discover the secret to eternal life. Having weaponized the surviving test subjects, Won-do returns to Haeseong City to track down a mythical "Child of Eternity" whose unique biology holds the key to a definitive cure for the side effects plaguing the survivors.
As Won-do's sinister trio of altered enforcers, Kim Pal-ho, Seok Ju-ran, and Seok Ho-ran, begin terrorizing the city and staging abductions to fulfill their master's greed, the bickering, flawed "Team Wonderfools" is inadvertently thrust into the center of a massive conspiracy. Despite their lack of superhero competence and personal struggles—including Kyung-hoon's painful attempts to reconcile with his estranged family and Chae-ni's coming to terms with the dark truth behind her past medical history—the team must learn to sync their absurd abilities. Moving past their shared feelings of worthlessness, the eccentric band of citizens unites under Un-jeong's guidance to protect their neighborhood and stop Won-do's apocalyptic plans before the dawn of the new millennium.
Cast and characters
Main
- Park Eun-bin as Eun Chae-ni
- Kim Si-on as young Chae-ni
- A resident who is known as the trainwreck of Haeseong City with a terminal heart condition who attempts to fake her own kidnapping to obtain travel money from her grandmother. After the plan results in her temporary death, she is resurrected and gains the ability to teleport whenever her heart rate spikes, eventually leading her to defend her hometown.[1]
- Cha Eun-woo as Lee Un-jeong
- Han Ji-an as the young Un-jeong
- A reserved and rule-abiding civil servant who secretly possesses telekinetic abilities. While operating alone to find a person from his past and locate his birth mother, his plans are disrupted when he is forced to guide Chae-ni and her friends in mastering their newly acquired powers.[1]
- Choi Dae-hoon as Son Gyeong-hun
- A chronic complainant at Haeseong City Hall Complaints Center who frequently files grievances regarding toxic runoff from a local dump site. He agrees to assist Chae-ni with her fake kidnapping scheme for a share of the money, but exposure to the chemical waste grants him the ability to secrete a powerful adhesive from his hands whenever he tells a lie, which only releases once he speaks the truth.[1]
- Im Seong-jae as Kang Ro-bin
- A timid kitchen employee at Hearty House and Chae-ni's friend who acts as an accomplice in her fake kidnapping scheme. Following the incident, he develops superhuman strength that is triggered exclusively when he is insulted or hears profanity.[1]
- Kim Hae-sook as Kim Jeon-bok
- Chae-ni's grandmother and the owner of Hearty House who secretly possesses significant financial influence. She was a former financier of Won-do's covert research laboratory and maintains a watchful eye over the facility's surviving test subjects.[1]
- Son Hyun-joo as Ha Won-do
- A scientist who returns to Haeseong-si after serving a 20-year prison sentence for running the "Wunderkinder Project", a covert human-experimentation program that granted children superhuman abilities. Upon his release, he reunites with his surviving test subjects to locate a former patient whose unique biology he believes holds the key to discovering eternal life.[1]
Supporting
- Bae Na-ra as Kim Pal-ho
- Shin Tae-yang as young Pal-ho
- A Wunderkinder who works closely with Won-do and has the ability to manipulate the gravity.[1]
- Jung Yi-seo as Seok Ju-ran
- Oh Ji-yul as young Ju-ran
- A Wunderkinder who views Won-do as a father figure and has the ability of brainwashing.[1]
- Choi Yoon-ji as Seok Ho-ran
- Choi So-yul as young Ho-ran
- A Wunderkinder who has a hallucination ability.[1]
- Cha Seo-won as Gu Jun-mo
- Jang Jae-ha as young Jun-mo
- A survivor of Wunderkinder Project who lives a normal life thanks to Jeon-bok.
- Kim Ki-cheon as Go Sang-moo
- A former caretaker of kids for Wunderkinder Project.
- Kang Ki-doong as Yang Seok-u
- A senior civil servant at Haeseong City Hall Complaints Center.
- Lee Soo-bin as Kim Na-yeong
- a junior civil servant at Haeseong City Hall Complaints Center.
- Jung Yeon as Moon Mi-hui
- Gyeong-hun's wife who runs a flower shop in Haeseong City.
- Park Ye-rin as Son Cheong
- Gyeong-hun's daughter.
- Choi Gwang-il as Choi Yeong-jun
- The former director of Wunderkinder Project.
- Seo Woo-jin as the Child of Eternity
- Park Sung-geun as Elder Yoon
- One of the elders of the Church of Eternal Salvation.
- Hwang Eun-hoo as a church woman
- Lee Sae-ro-mi as Ha-na
- An employee at Hearty House.
- Jin Tae-yeon as Du-na
- An employee at Hearty House.
- Jin Mi-sa as Won-ju
- An employee at Hearty House.
- Hong Min-soo as Kim Bong-pal
Special appearances
- Hur Jung-do as Kwon Jun-bae,[A] a doctor
- Byun Woo-min as a loyal subject
- Jeong Bo-seok as Nam Sun-gyu
- Jung Ji-an as Nurse Eom
- Jung Young-joo as Aurora madam
- Lee Il-hwa as Un-jeong's mother
- Lee Yong-yi as a cursing grandmother
- Lee Juck as a radio DJ
Episodes
| No. | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Every Life Comes With a Surprise Twist" Transliteration: "Nuguui insaengena banjeoneun itda" (Korean: 누구의 인생에나 반전은 있다) | May 15, 2026 |
| 2 | "Secrets Are Meant to Be Kept" Transliteration: "Malhal su eopseonikka bimiriji" (Korean: 말할 수 없으니까 비밀이지) | May 15, 2026 |
| 3 | "Brutes and Bad Luck Do Come in Droves" Transliteration: "Kkangpaewa buruneun kkok mollyeodaniji" (Korean: 깡패와 불운은 꼭 몰려다니지) | May 15, 2026 |
| 4 | "Boon the King Duck vs Wunderkinder" Transliteration: "Bundang Keundak vs Wunder Kinder" (Korean: 분당 큰닭 vs Wunder Kinder) | May 15, 2026 |
| 5 | "All We Need Is You" Transliteration: "Neo hanamyeon dwae" (Korean: 너 하나면 돼) | May 15, 2026 |
| 6 | "All Roads Lead to Chae-ni" Transliteration: "Modeun giren Chaeniro tonghanda" (Korean: 모든 길은 채니로 통한다) | May 15, 2026 |
| 7 | "The Guardians of Haeseong City Part 1" Transliteration: "Gadieonjeu obeu Haeseongsi part1" (Korean: 가디언즈 오브 해성시 part1) | May 15, 2026 |
| 8 | "The Guardians of Haeseong City Part 2" Transliteration: "Gadieonjeu obeu Haeseong-si part2" (Korean: 가디언즈 오브 해성시 part2) | May 15, 2026 |
Production
Development
In November 2018, the superhero drama series was initially based on Stan Lee's IP work titled The B-Team and is about a fight between B-rated superheroes and a mad scientist who created them. Lee's production company POW! Entertainment participated in the early stages of planning and development for the series, which was then being produced by Studio Invictus and JYP Pictures.[3] Later in 2024, as the full-scale production began, the series would be developed as an original by the production company without the original work. Regarding this, the series' new production company Nangmancrew stated, "This is something that was agreed upon with the original author. The title would also be changed."[4]
In December 2020, SBS held the "2021 SBS Showcase" introducing their drama, entertainment, and educational lineup for 2021 through its official YouTube channel and announced that it would launch the drama The B-Team, which was supposed to air on SBS TV in 2021. PD Yoo In-sik, who directed Giant (2010), Dr. Romantic series (2016–2023), and Vagabond (2019), helmed the megaphone, screenwriter Kang Eun-kyung, who is best known for writing Bread, Love and Dreams (2010), Dr. Romantic series (2016–2023), and Gyeongseong Creature series (2023–2024), participated as the creator, and Heo Da-joong, who is one of the writers of Extreme Job (2019), penned the script.[5] Nangmancrew, Kakao Entertainment, and Fantagio would managed the production.[6]
Casting
Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo were reportedly cast as the lead actors of the series in April and July 2024, respectively.[4][7] Park and Cha's appearances were confirmed to appear along with Kim Hae-sook, Choi Dae-hoon, Im Seong-jae, and Son Hyun-joo in November 2024.[8] Bae Na-ra joined the cast in June 2025.[9]
Filming
Principal photography began in October 2024 and wrapped up in June 2025.[10][9]
Release
Netflix announced their confirmed 2025 Korean content lineup and The Wonderfools was not included.[11] Netflix later confirmed that the series was scheduled for a second quarter of 2026 release.[12] In February 2026, a premiere date of May 15 was reported by My Daily, but Netflix initially responded that the date was not finalized.[13][14] By April 2026, Netflix officially confirmed that the series is set to be released on May 15, 2026, and released the official trailer and poster.[15]
Reception
Critical response
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 100%[16] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Midgard Times | 9.5/10[17] |
| Screen Rant | 9/10[18] |
| But Why Tho? | 8.5/10[19] |
| Digital Mafia Talkies |  [20] |
| IDN Times |  [21] |
| Cine21 |  [22] |
| iMBC | [23] |
| India Today | [24] |
| South China Morning Post | [25] |
The Wonderfools received generally positive reviews from both domestic and international critics upon its release. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.6/10.[16] Reviewers frequently praised the series for its warm-hearted humanism, late-1990s nostalgia, and the strong chemistry of its ensemble cast, though opinions were divided regarding its early pacing and rapid tonal shifts. Writing for Decider, Joel Keller gave the series a "Stream It" recommendation, calling it a fun and funny show about reluctant superheroes despite the slow-burning first episode.[26] But Why Tho? awarded the series an 8.5 out of 10, summarizing it as "so darn delightful" because it never takes itself too seriously.[19] Variety India described it as "immensely watchable" despite a few flaws, highlighting its breezy, action-packed and comedy-filled nature as perfect light-hearted entertainment.[27] Screen Rant awarded the series a 9/10, stating that it "breathes new life into the superhero genre" thanks to its instantly lovable and colorful characters, strong emphasis on personal growth, interconnected storylines, and efficient eight-episode structure.[18]
Thai director Yuthana Lorphanpaibul positively reviewed the series, calling it "fun" and "easy to watch". He praised the cast performances, stating that every character had their own highlight moments and that "all act excellently", while also expressing admiration for lead actor Cha Eun-woo.[28]
The series' narrative themes and direction were a primary focus of praise. OSEN highlighted that beneath its superhero premise, the show effectively depicts the growth of its main characters into a family-like team, allowing them to recover their self-esteem after previously being viewed as societal nuisances.[29] Cine21 gave the series 3 out of 4 stars, describing it as "the birth of a K-hero series that can work in the global market", praising its mature industrial execution, the distinctive sense of space set in late-20th-century Korea, the combination of likable clumsy characters, and the effective humor that arises when extraordinary powers collide with everyday reality.[22] TV Daily and the South China Morning Post echoed this sentiment, noting that the show delivers a deep sense of humanism and "fitfully entertaining fluff" by contrasting the bleak, apocalyptic anxieties of the late-20th-century Y2K panic with the pure-hearted solidarity of ordinary citizens fighting to protect their neighborhood.[30][25] Journalist Kim Ji-hyun of TV Daily particularly praised rookie screenwriter Heo Da-joong, noting her excellent story structure and her ability to write perfectly timed humorous dialogues.[31] Hankook Ilbo described the series as a "Korean version of Guardians of the Galaxy", praising its charm in placing flawed, minor characters — deeply rooted in Korean social realities — inside a popular superhero framework, creating unpredictable developments filled with B-grade humor and warm humanism.[32] iMBC awarded the series 3 out of 4 stars, describing it as a warm story that comfortably embraces human flaws through the solidarity of its quirky characters.[23] Director Yoo In-sik was also lauded for his direction; Ilgan Sports praised his rhythmic action sequences, particularly a long, one-take rescue scene,[33] while IDN Times praised the distinct mise-en-scène, highlighting the fast camera movements, sudden close-ups, and whimsical sound design that enhanced the multi-layered comedic scenes.[21] Digital Mafia Talkies compared the series favorably to Western sci-fi and superhero properties like Stranger Things and The Boys, writing that it avoided the narrative bloat of later seasons of those shows by prioritizing intimate character development over convoluted plotting. They also commended the grounded, impactful weight of the stunt work and superhero action, comparing its execution to early-2000s films like Hancock, Push, Chronicle, and Jumper.[20] Screen Rant praised "The Wunderkinder" as effective and sympathetic antagonists who serve as a dark mirror to the main quartet, with tragic backstories intrinsically linked to Chae-ni and Un-jeong. The review also highlighted the strong visualization of the powers and action sequences, noting that characterization and emotion are never sacrificed for spectacle.[18]
The performances of the cast received widespread acclaim. Park Eun-bin's performance was highlighted as the anchor of the series. Korean critics singled out her versatility, with Ilgan Sports terming her portrayal an "overwhelming one-woman show" that seamlessly navigated sudden shifts between comedy, action, and dramatic depth,[33] while Hankook Ilbo commended her energetic and commanding screen presence.[32] This sentiment was echoed by international outlets; the South China Morning Post highlighted her bold willingness to embrace an eccentric, unconventional comic style,[25] and Digital Mafia Talkies praised her "Chaplin-esque" physical comedy and expressive range.[20] Furthermore, India Today noted that Park successfully imbued her high-energy character with a distinct vulnerability, preventing the performance from becoming exhausting.[24]
Cha Eun-woo's performance was praised as a mature step forward, groundedly sustaining the show's tonal balance. While pre-screening journalists and Korean critics from Delighti and Next Daily highlighted his restrained emotional range, stable breath control, and subtle micro-expressions to convey inner tension,[34][35][36] reviewers from India Today and But Why Tho? commended his dry humor and effectiveness as the story's "straight man".[24][19] Furthermore, Tatiana Hullender of Screen Rant noted that Cha successfully surprised audiences by portraying the character's morally ambiguous motivations with genuine emotional depth, while maintaining the narrative's central romantic aspects.[18] Additionally, ITBizNews praised Cha's compelling screen presence, noting that his performance and dynamic with Park complemented the series' rapid rise to No. 1 on Netflix's "Now Trending" chart shortly after its release.[37]
The comedic contributions of Choi Dae-hoon and Im Seong-jae were praised. The Fact and Hankook Ilbo noted that while the script's dialogue could have felt juvenile on paper, Choi and Im elevated the material through their natural ad-libs and realistic comedic timing, effectively serving as highlights of the series.[38][32] Western outlets, such as Screen Rant and Midgard Times, concurred, commending the supporting cast for bringing an engaging energy and a compelling combination of humor and pathos to their respective roles.[18][17]
Conversely, the pacing, narrative structure, and rapid tonal shifts received some mixed commentary, even among overall positive reviews. International critics from India Today and the South China Morning Post pointed out that the series frequently veered wildly from slapstick comedy to heavy themes like childhood trauma, leaving the overall execution feeling disjointed at times.[24][25] Among Korean outlets, OSEN and iMBC found the early episodes slow due to extensive exposition,[29][23] while TV Daily and JoyNews24 felt the final episodes suffered from a drop in tension.[30][39] In contrast, Hullender of Screen Rant defended the series' structure, arguing that it successfully juggled its multiple plotlines to deliver a satisfying conclusion without succumbing to narrative bloat.[18]
Viewership
Upon release, The Wonderfools debuted at number six on Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English Shows chart. In its first three days (May 15–17, 2026), the series accumulated 25.3 million hours watched, totaling 2.7 million views, and reached the Top 10 in 25 countries, including South Korea, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, and Mexico.[40] In the second week, the series surged to 7.9 million views, climbing to number two on the global chart, while ranking as the #1 show in 13 countries and maintaining a Top 10 spot in 64 countries.[41]
