Source: CJ Entertainment America Official Movie Site: AWerewolfBoy.com Special Thanks to Hoon Bae and Kelly Williams The South Korean box office smash A WEREWOLF BOY (????, Neuk-dae so-nyun, 2012), is released today on Region 1 DVD by CJ Entertainment America. The following production notes are courtesy of CJ Entertainment... Preface
A WEREWOLF BOY is a fantasy of the emotions. It is a fantasy because it shows a kind of ‘love’ that many don’t believe can exist in this kind of world. When someone owns a dog, they often experience many touching moments. They do not care what we look like or whether or not we succeed, but look only at us forever. What do they see in us? Could it be that they are the ones that can see through our souls? Even though humans have the ability to see through the soul, we often choose to look away. It makes me think that maybe we don’t have the ability to see at all. Once upon a time, when we were still pure, Our connections to each other were powerful. It was ‘real’, and not broken out of fear of getting hurt. But I think that the smarter we became, the more we lost our ability to see through the soul. Instead of simply looking, we became calculating and predicted into the future. The fantasy shown in A WEREWOLF BOY is not so much as a fantasy as it is a fantasy of emotions. It is because the film shows a type of ‘love’ that does not exist in this world. In watching the honest and sincere connection between these two characters, I hope that the audience will witness a rare humanity that can no longer be seen in humans nowadays. I also hope that you will long for something that was once within you. Things that you no longer hold… a time, a place, a person. This is a story about us, and the people that we once were. 
-Director and Writer, Jo Sung-hee- Synopsis He was a creature that was never meant to exist. Summoned by an unexpected phone call, an elderly woman visits the country cottage she lived in as a child. Memories of a boy she knew 60 years ago come flooding back to her. Then young Suni and her family moved to a small village in Korea. There, they encounter a bedraggled orphan boy hiding under a bush and take him in out of pity. Called a “wolf boy” by some for his feral behavior and uncommon strength, Suni teaches the boy how to eat at a table, and read and write so that he might one day live among people. He repays her kindness with a devotion unequalled by any human being, a love that exceeds all normal expectations. Then one day a threat to Suni exposes the boy’s deadly bestial instincts, and in an instant he becomes the subject of the villagers’ fears. In order to save the boy’s life, Suni must abandon him while promising, “Wait for me. I’ll come back for you.”
The Making of A WEREWOLF BOY Creating a dream-like space for the “wolf boy” and “girl”
Known for his cinematic use of space and detailed character expressions in DON`T STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE! (??? ?, Nammaeui Jib, 2009), Director Jo Sung-hee brings out the same beautiful mise-en-scene and attention to detail in his first commercial film, A WEREWOLF BOY. While the film is set in the 1960’s, rather than basing his perspective on historical evidence, Jo chose instead to focus on the film’s true meaning by producing a familiar yet foreign atmosphere that will let audiences reminisce about their own past. The artwork and wardrobe for A WEREWOLF BOY were also created in consideration of this point. While the outfits are not as fancy as those in other films, this allowed the actors to further immerse themselves into becoming one with the character and be able to relate to the audience. Aside from the wardrobe, finding a location was another task. The staff searched for 5 months, looking for a space that was reminiscent of the past, dream-like, and walked a fine line between realistic and unrealistic for the “wolf boy” and girl to connect. It was difficult to receive permits to shoot in old buildings or locations that were registered as cultural properties, causing the location hunting process to bleed into the production period itself. Despite the circumstances, the crew scoured the entire country and finally came upon the perfect location -- or should we say, locations -- that would highlight the film’s mood perfectly. The waterfalls in the city of Pocheon, the cypress forest in Jangheung, and scenic walkways on the island of Jejudo, and more prime locations all played a part in completing a beautifully timeless picture for A WEREWOLF BOY. The transformation of a star -- Song Joong-ki becomes the “Werewolf Boy”! For the first time ever in South Korean film, the character of a “wolf boy” appears with a body temperature of 114 degrees and unidentifiable bloody type -- a dangerous creature that was never meant to exist. While his exterior is that of a wild beast, deep inside he is a fragile and innocent being. The actor chosen to portray this was none other than rising star, Song Joong-ki, whose acting has been proven in both TV and on the silver screen. With A WEREWOLF BOY, Song unveils his most shocking transformation yet.
South Korean heartthrob Song first rose to stardom as the flirtatious Koo Yong-hwa in the hit TV series SUNGKYUNKWAN SCANDAL (??? ???). More recently, his leading role in the wildly popular drama NICE GUY has garnered Song praise for his intense and dedicated acting. In A WEREWOLF BOY, Song promises to show yet another side to his pretty boy image. Prior to entering production, Song is known to have visited multiple zoos to study animal movement and behavior. Says Song, “Because the ‘wolf boy’ cannot speak, I had to express all emotions through my eyes, facial expressions, bodily movements, and breathing. The challenge of becoming a ‘wolf boy’ was an invaluable experience and I feel pride in doing something that no one has tried before.” About the Director: JO Sung-hee Jo Sung-hee (born February 3, 1979) majored in industrial art design at Seoul National University. After graduation, he joined Seotaeji Music Company and Olive Studio. During this time, he worked on numerous music videos and animated cartoons as an assistant director. In 2007, he directed BARNACLE LOU (cartoon series for TV) at Olive Studio. Having decided to pursue a career as a film director, he joined the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) in 2008 and made his first short, DON’T STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE! (HD/color/43 min). The short landed 3rd place in the Cinéfondation category at Festival de Cannes, 2009. DON’T STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE! was praised for Jo`s unique style of depicting the nature of fear and human frailty. Jo made his feature debut in 2010 with END OF ANIMAL (??? ?, Jimseunghui Ggeut). The critically acclaimed film was invited to various international festivals including Rotterdam IFF, San Francisco IFF, Denmark IFF (CPH PIX), Vancouver IFF, Dubai IFF, BFI London IFF and Cinema Digital Seoul Festival. At Dubai International Film Festival, the film was awarded a Special Mention certificate. Filmography 2007: BARNACLE LOU (TV cartoon series) 2008: DON’T STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE! (HD/color/43min) - 3rd prize, Cinéfondation Ex-aequo, Festival de Cannes, 2009 - Special Jury Prize, Dubai International Film Festival, 2009 - Best Short Film Prize, Jeonju International Film Festival, 2009 2010: END OF ANIMAL - VANCOUVER IFF - DUBAI IFF, SPECIAL MENTION AWARD - BFI LONDON IFF - CINEMA DIGITAL SEOUL FF (CINDI) - ROTTERDAM IFF - CPH PIX - SAN FRANCISCO IFF
Cast & Characters? Cheol-su (SONG Joong-ki) Body temperature 114.8 ?, blood type unknown, piercing grey eyes and razor-sharp teeth... Cheol-su is a werewolf boy who lives in isolation and turns into a monstrous beast when threatened. He meets a girl named Suni, and is tamed by the first person to take interest in him. Since making his acting debut in Yoo Ha`s A FROZEN FLOWER (???, Ssanghwajeom) in 2008, Song Joong-ki (born September 19, 1985) has been actively building a solid career across TV and film. Song won multiple awards at all major TV awards in 2010 and 2011. Selected Filmography: A FROZEN FLOWER (2008), HEARTY PAWS 2 (???2, Maeumee 2, 2010), SUNGKYUNKWAN SCANDAL (TV, 2010), PENNY PINCHERS (???? ???, Taeunagin Haetjiman, 2011), DEEP ROOTED TREE (???? ??, Bboori Gipeun Namoo, TV, 2011)
Suni (PARK Bo-young) Due to her poor health, Suni is a girl who has given up a normal life and no longer takes interest in the things around her. But when Cheol-su appears, Suni begins to connect with him and her stiffened heart slowly opens up to the mysterious wolf boy. Park Bo-young (born February 2, 1990) started her career as a young actress in 2006 through the drama THE KING AND I. In 2008, Park rose to stardom as she became South Korea`s sweetheart through the hit comedy SCANDAL MAKERS. The film won her multiple awards for best new actress at some of Korea’s most prestigious film awards in the same year. In A WEREWOLF BOY, PARK plays the female lead role of Suni and her present-day granddaughter, Eun-ju. Selected Filmography: SCANDAL MAKERS (2008), DON’T CLICK (2012) Ji-tae (YOO Yeon-seok) Ji-tae has genuine affection for Suni but his unreciprocated feelings turn him bitter. Driven by jealousy, Ji-tae tries to get rid of Choel-su for good. YooO Yeon-seok (born on April 11, 1984) made his first screen appearance in Park Chan-wook`s OLD BOY, playing young Woo-jin and has since been working actively across TV and silver screen. Selected Filmography: RE-ENCOUNTER (2010), ARCHITECTURE 101 (2012), HORROR STORIES (2012) Credits World Premiere: September 11, 2012 (Toronto International Film Festival) South Korean Theatrical Release: October 31, 2012 US Theatrical Release: November 30, 2012 Running Time: 125 Minutes Rating: NR not rated by the MPAA (US Rating) Cast Cheol-su: Song Joong-ki Suni / Eun-joo: Park Bo-young Kim Suni: Lee Young-lan Suni`s Mother: Jang Young-nam Ji-tae: Yoo Yeon-seok Crew Written and Directed by: Jo Sung-hee Produced by: Kim Su-jin, Yu in-beom Associate Producer: Charles Park Executive Producer: Jeong Tae-seong Line Producer: Oh Young-Seok Cinematographer: Choi Sang-muk Lighting Supervisor: Lee Sung-Jae Editor: Nam Na-yeong (Mori) Visual Effects Supervisors: Jang Seong-ho, Park Young-Soo (Mofac Studio) Sound Recording: Lee Jong-ho Sound Design: Gong Tae-Won (Plusgain) Make Up and Hair: Kim Hyun-Jung Costume Designer: Kwak Jung-Ae Production Designer: Kim Ji-Su Music: Shim Hyun-jung Production: Bidangil Pictures Distribution: CJ Entertainment © 2012 CJ E&M CORPORATION
About CJ Entertainment America
Launched in 2005, CJ Entertainment America is the U.S. arm of Asia’s premier entertainment company and Korea’s #1 filmmaker and distributor, CJ Entertainment & Media. Since 1995, CJ E&M has provided original, award-winning content -- across an array of genres, including drama, comedy, action, sci-fi/horror and special interest -- for theatrical, television, DVD, digital download, interactive game publishing/portals and music. A prominent investor in entertainment co-ventures in overseas markets (including 1492 Pictures, DreamWorks and IMAX in the U.S.), CJ E&M also develops and operates 200 premium multiplex theater sites under the CGV Cinemas banner (including a flagship site in Los Angeles) and is a leading concert promoter, helping establish “K-pop” as a successful world music genre. The cornerstone of the Korean entertainment industry – boasting the country’s largest and most significant library, with hundreds of films – CJ E&M is also a singular presence throughout Asia, Europe and in the States and a key force in popularizing contemporary Korean and Pan-Asian cinema around the world. Top films include THE MAN FROM NOWHERE; THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD; A BITTERSWEET LIFE; JOINT SECURITY AREA; and the VENGEANCE trilogy, to name a few.
For more information on A WEREWOLF BOY, please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: