Photo by: Screengrab via Kofic KoBiz and edited by Bishal Rai
Each person has a different choice and taste. When it comes to watching films, some might prefer action crime thrillers, while some might prefer scientific-fiction, comedy or romance. It depends on what genre they prefer. Mr. Bong Joon Ho, Parasite film director in his speech had said, "Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,". There are many good films in South Korean industry. Hence, Korean movies are going global in contemporary times.
Secret Zoo is one of them. In this film it imagines a zoo where human beings are disguised as real animals and the plot revolves around. Directed by Mr. Son Jae-gon and produced by Kim Sung-hwan & Park Hyun-Tae, the movie is light-hearted entertainment with a hint of humour and emotions throughout the movie. All the characters in the film justify their respective roles making the watching experience better.
One can easily enjoy such a movie by understanding how one can feel when they have to live in such a caged-like situation that these animals have to live in. This movie contains not only funny moments but also the meaning of what a zoo is supposed to be. Bits of comedy sequences are present which are hilarious. Funny, warm, entertaining and informative which is much needed at the present time. First Approximately 45 minutes of the movie is so hilarious but the middle and ending part is not convincing enough to accept the reality.
Kang Tae-Soo played by Ahn-Jae Hong, comes up with the idea of using the few remaining employees of the failing zoo called “Dongsan Park” as fake animals where most of the animals have been sold off. Tae-Soo is a lawyer by profession who happens to work as a zoo director because he is provided with a condition that he would get a permanent job in a renowned law firm if he brings back the zoo to success.
As per his direction, the employees hesitantly become polar bears, lions, sloths and gorillas with no guarantee that their new director’s plan would work. Turns out that the polar bear of the zoo gets viral when it drinks coca-cola. Ticket sales and the number of visitors largely signifying the success of the zoo and Tae-Soo getting his desired position at the law firm.
Later, Tae-Soo finds out that his law firm has some other plans with the zoo. The gratefulness of the employees of the zoo towards him and their attachment to the few remaining animals does not allow him to leave them completely in the hands of the law firm. In the end, Tae Soo comes up with another plan that saves both the zoo and his job.
The movie does not make it direct and obvious but renders a message of the co-existence of animals and human beings. There should be growth and development but not at the cost of the lives of animals and their habitat. The scenes of the movie do not emphasize this aspect, however, towards the end of the movie, animal protection is the core message of Secret Zoo. This film is heartwarming, entertaining, with slight social commentary.
Secret Zoo
Director: Son Jae-gon
Starring: Ahn Jae-hong, Kang So-ra, Park Yeong-gyu, Kim Sung-oh, Jeon Yeo-been
Duration: 117 minutes
Language: Korean
Year: 2020
Photo by: Screengrab via Kofic KoBiz and edited by Bishal Rai
Each person has a different choice and taste. When it comes to watching films, some might prefer action crime thrillers, while some might prefer scientific-fiction, comedy or romance. It depends on what genre they prefer. Mr. Bong Joon Ho, Parasite film director in his speech had said, "Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,". There are many good films in South Korean industry. Hence, Korean movies are going global in contemporary times.
Secret Zoo is one of them. In this film it imagines a zoo where human beings are disguised as real animals and the plot revolves around. Directed by Mr. Son Jae-gon and produced by Kim Sung-hwan & Park Hyun-Tae, the movie is light-hearted entertainment with a hint of humour and emotions throughout the movie. All the characters in the film justify their respective roles making the watching experience better.
One can easily enjoy such a movie by understanding how one can feel when they have to live in such a caged-like situation that these animals have to live in. This movie contains not only funny moments but also the meaning of what a zoo is supposed to be. Bits of comedy sequences are present which are hilarious. Funny, warm, entertaining and informative which is much needed at the present time. First Approximately 45 minutes of the movie is so hilarious but the middle and ending part is not convincing enough to accept the reality.
Kang Tae-Soo played by Ahn-Jae Hong, comes up with the idea of using the few remaining employees of the failing zoo called “Dongsan Park” as fake animals where most of the animals have been sold off. Tae-Soo is a lawyer by profession who happens to work as a zoo director because he is provided with a condition that he would get a permanent job in a renowned law firm if he brings back the zoo to success.
As per his direction, the employees hesitantly become polar bears, lions, sloths and gorillas with no guarantee that their new director’s plan would work. Turns out that the polar bear of the zoo gets viral when it drinks coca-cola. Ticket sales and the number of visitors largely signifying the success of the zoo and Tae-Soo getting his desired position at the law firm.
Later, Tae-Soo finds out that his law firm has some other plans with the zoo. The gratefulness of the employees of the zoo towards him and their attachment to the few remaining animals does not allow him to leave them completely in the hands of the law firm. In the end, Tae Soo comes up with another plan that saves both the zoo and his job.
The movie does not make it direct and obvious but renders a message of the co-existence of animals and human beings. There should be growth and development but not at the cost of the lives of animals and their habitat. The scenes of the movie do not emphasize this aspect, however, towards the end of the movie, animal protection is the core message of Secret Zoo. This film is heartwarming, entertaining, with slight social commentary.
Secret Zoo
Director: Son Jae-gon
Starring: Ahn Jae-hong, Kang So-ra, Park Yeong-gyu, Kim Sung-oh, Jeon Yeo-been
Duration: 117 minutes
Language: Korean
Year: 2020