Courtesy of Big Ocean ENM
Even as adults, we sometimes dream of ‘a magical shop that grants my wishes’. The film ‘The Strange Candy Shop Jeoncheondang’ blends the familiar flavor of fantasy with the commanding presence of actor Ra Mi-ran to capture weighty truths about life.
The film ‘The Strange Candy Shop Jeoncheondang’ (directed by Park Bong-seop) tells a magical tale that unfolds as customers with lucky coins visit Jeoncheondang, a candy shop run by its mysterious proprietor, Hong-ja (Ra Mi-ran). Based on a Japanese bestseller of the same name, the work adds to expectations with a 12-episode series slated for release in the second half of the year following the theatrical feature.
Courtesy of Big Ocean ENM
Ra Mi-ran, transformed into the mysterious proprietor ‘Hong-ja’, lives up to her reputation. Even with the bold appearance of white hair in a chignon and a hanbok, she never feels out of place. Her signature unhurried aura and deep voice add weight to the unreal space called ‘Jeoncheondang’, giving confidence that ‘if not Ra Mi-ran, who would have taken on Hong-ja?’
She convincingly presents a multilayered figure that goes beyond a mere candy seller, one who observes and warns about human desire.
Courtesy of Big Ocean ENM
The transformation of Lee Re, who stands against her, is also intense. She sheds the demure image she has shown so far and, as the bob-haired villain ‘Yomi’, expresses the complex emotions of envy and jealousy, keeping the dramatic tension taut. In particular, the rapport between the two actors, built since their debut days, offers a curious steadiness even within the conflict, heightening immersion.
Another eye-catcher is the visual effects that exceed expectations. The splendid mise-en-scene inside Jeoncheondang and the magical effects unleashed by the confections are more than enough to delight the eye. The message that could sound preachy, “You must take responsibility for your choices”, lands as a natural lesson thanks to the blend of dazzling visuals and passionate performances.
The episodes follow a universal emotional line. Within the frame of fantasy, it places themes that most people may have experienced at least once, such as the wish to protect an ailing family member, the will to stand up to bullying, and envy toward a friend.
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However, rather than creating synergy when these familiar materials meet the seasoning of fantasy, they remain within the predictable frame of ‘rewarding good and punishing evil’, so the narrative tension feels somewhat loose. With CG that may even feel childish added on, this progression can come across less as fresh than as a sense of deja vu, like watching a familiar fairy tale or a well-constructed play.
In particular, the late-game pacing that puts a period on the story is unfortunate. As the process by which the villain ‘Yomi’ faces crisis and pays the price unfolds too briskly, the taut energy of the confrontation between the characters evaporates in an instant. In trying to wrap things up quickly, the conclusion arrives as if by magic without sufficiently convincing causality or plausibility, which reduces immersion.
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In the end, ‘Jeoncheondang’ will inevitably divide opinion depending on ‘whom you watch it with’. Because it has episodes that do not drag and a complete narrative that keeps childlike innocence intact, it will serve as an ideal primer in ‘family fantasy’ for parents who take their children by the hand to the theater. However, adult viewers who want a greater cinematic experience or twists may find it somewhat childish and cliche.
The film ‘The Strange Candy Shop Jeoncheondang’ opens on May 29.
