Even as adults, we sometimes dream of a magic shop that grants our wishes. The movie ‘Strange Candy Shop Zenitendo’ takes a familiar fantasy flavor and blends it with Ra Mi-ran’s powerful presence to deliver a weighty lesson on life.
Directed by Park Bong-seop, ‘Strange Candy Shop Zenitendo’ tells a magical story about customers with lucky coins who visit a candy shop run by the mysterious owner Hong-ja (Ra Mi-ran). Based on the Japanese bestseller of the same name, anticipation is growing as the movie’s release is followed by a 12-episode series coming later this year.
Ra Mi-ran, transformed into the mysterious owner Hong-ja, is truly in a league of her own. Even with a bold look featuring white hair in an updo and a hanbok, she fits right in. Her signature relaxed aura and deep voice add weight to the surreal space of Zenitendo, making viewers certain that no one but Ra Mi-ran could have played Hong-ja.
Beyond just being a shopkeeper selling candy, she uses her solid acting skills to convincingly portray the multi-layered nature of a character who observes and warns against human desire.
Lee Re’s transformation is equally striking. Shedding her usual elegant image, Lee Re plays the villain Yomi with a sharp bob cut, maintaining high dramatic tension by expressing complex emotions like envy and jealousy. In particular, the chemistry between the two actors, which has lasted since Lee Re’s debut, provides a strange sense of stability even in their confrontation, increasing the movie’s immersion.
The visual effects are also a highlight, exceeding expectations. The gorgeous mise-en-scène inside Zenitendo and the magical effects of the candies are a treat for the eyes. The message that “one must take responsibility for their choices,” which could otherwise sound preachy, comes across as a natural lesson thanks to the stunning visuals and the actors’ passionate performances.
The episodes follow universal emotional lines. Themes that anyone might have experienced, such as the desire to protect a sick family member, the will to fight back against bullying, or jealousy toward a friend, are placed within a fantasy framework.
However, when these familiar themes meet the fantasy elements, they stay within a predictable “good vs. evil” framework rather than creating synergy, making the narrative tension feel a bit loose. Combined with some CG that may feel childish, the progression can feel more like a familiar fairy tale or a well-staged play rather than something fresh.
The pacing of the finale is particularly disappointing. The process of the villain Yomi facing a crisis and paying the price happens too quickly, causing the tense energy between the characters to evaporate instantly. Because the situation is wrapped up so quickly, the cause-and-effect and probability aren’t fully convincing, which detracts from the immersion.
Ultimately, ‘Strange Candy Shop Zenitendo’ will likely be a matter of preference depending on who you watch it with. With its engaging episode structure and a complete narrative that preserves childhood innocence, it will be a perfect textbook for “family fantasy” for parents visiting the theater with their children. However, adult audiences seeking a more cinematic experience or twists might find it somewhat childish and cliché.
The movie ‘Strange Candy Shop Zenitendo’ opens on May 29.
