Netflix’s The WONDERfools is a superhero comedy that knows exactly what it wants to be. Created by Kang Eun-kyung, Yoo In-sik, and Huh Dah-joong, the series follows a trio of social outcasts who stumble into superpowers and fight rising evil as doomsday panic grows in late 1999. It is a warm-hearted, nostalgic mess that earns its 10 out of 10.
Trailer, via Netflix K-Content.
The Trio Behind the Comedy
Park Eun-bin plays Eun Chae-ni, a cynical, hot-tempered 27-year-old with a severe congenital heart condition. Cha Eun-woo plays Lee Un-jeong, a socially awkward civil servant who secretly possesses telekinetic abilities. Choi Dae-hoon plays Son Gyeong-hun, a notorious public nuisance who files petty complaints at city hall. Im Sung-jae plays Kang Ro-bin, an overly timid man treated as a neighborhood pushover. Kim Hae-sook plays Kim Jeon-bok, Chae-ni’s wealthy, overprotective grandmother. Son Hyun-joo, Bae Na-ra, and Jung Yi-seo appear in the ensemble.
The chemistry between these three leads is the engine of the show. Their schemes, their arguments, and their desperate attempts to control their newfound abilities drive the comedy forward. Chae-ni’s teleportation kicks in whenever her heart rate spikes. Gyeong-hun sticks to surfaces when he lies. Ro-bin unleashes superhuman strength when something upsets him. Watching them bumble through these powers is the whole point.
“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.”
The Road From B-Team
The series entered development as early as 2018 under the working title The B-Team. It 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. The final product premiered globally on Netflix on May 15, 2026.
Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo were reportedly cast as the lead actors of the series in April and July 2024, respectively. Their appearances were confirmed to appear along with Kim Hae-sook, Choi Dae-hoon, Im Sung-jae, and Son Hyun-joo in November 2024. Bae Na-ra joined the cast in June 2025.
The shift from Lee’s idea to an original story was a smart move. The resulting series leans heavily on late-1990s nostalgia, complete with Y2K panic and apocalyptic doom-mongering, while staying rooted in the flawed humanity of its characters. It is a superhero show that treats its heroes like actual people, not godlike figures.
Warmth Over Costume Drama
The show’s warmth comes from its refusal to elevate its characters above their flaws. Chae-ni is cynical and hot-tempered. Gyeong-hun is a public nuisance. Ro-bin is timid and treated as a pushover. The series does not smooth these edges; it celebrates them. The result is a comedy that feels genuine rather than manufactured.
The late-1990s setting gives the show a distinct visual identity. The fictional city of Haeseong becomes the epicenter of an unusual supernatural phenomenon, and the show leans into the period’s cultural touchstones without ever feeling like a costume drama. The tone is consistent throughout, blending action, comedy, and drama without losing focus.
Reviews and Streaming Numbers
The WONDERfools received generally positive reviews for its warm-hearted humanism, late-1990s nostalgia, and cast performances. Its commercial performance matched the praise. The series debuted at number six on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Shows chart after three days of tracking. It ranked eighth among Nielsen’s most-watched streaming originals in the United States during its first full week of availability, becoming the only non-English-language series in the Top 10.
The show’s reception reflects what is on screen: a comedy that respects its audience’s intelligence while delivering pure entertainment. The premise is simple: a group of townies stumbles into superpowers and fights rising evil. The execution is confident. The show knows exactly what it is doing at all times.
The Verdict on The WONDERfools
The WONDERfools is a triumph of genre storytelling. It takes the conventions of the superhero genre and bends them to fit its characters, not the other way around. The result is a show that feels both timeless and immediate. The late-1990s setting provides the backdrop, but the emotional core is universal.
The show’s strengths are easy to identify:
- The chemistry between the three leads anchors every scene.
- The powers are unpredictable and funny.
- The nostalgia is warm without being saccharine.
- The performances across the board are strong.
- The storytelling stays focused on the characters, not the spectacle.
The show holds together well. The pacing is steady, the humor lands consistently, and the stakes feel real even when the situation is absurd.
The WONDERfools is a perfect blend of action, comedy, and drama. It is a show about flawed people getting in over their heads and finding a way to win anyway. It is funny, touching, and deeply satisfying. The show earns its 10 out of 10.
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