Program Note
Yeo-ri (Son Yejin) is perpetually isolated because she keeps seeing ghosts that follow her everywhere, and she doesn’t know how to shake them off. Whenever she tries to get close to someone, the ghosts appear and scare them off. Whoever quickly distances themselves once they learn about her situation. One day, Jo-gu (Lee Min-ki), a nondescript street magician, notices her. Intrigued by the pale and mysterious Yeo-ri, he follows her and is inspired to create a horror-themed magic act, which becomes a huge success. Yeo-ri works as part of the show’s crew, trying her best to keep her secret.
Spellbound is a distinctive genre film that blends romance and horror. Jo-gu begins to see her self-imposed isolation from a fresh perspective, prompting her to consider being more open about her emotions. The film leverages the charm of its leads to explore the growth and transformation of its characters. Yeo-ri especially stands out in moments when she drunkenly shares “three ways to enjoy soju” or bursts out with “I want to be happy,” thus revealing her long-suppressed sorrow. (CHA Hanbi)