[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] A group of cute friends’ island trip takes a suspicious turn, and a job seeker who kept failing job interviews gains the ability to come back to life no matter how many times he dies. Two adventures that turn everyday life upside down await moviegoers during the Gaecheonjeol holiday. “Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island” and “The Resurrected Man: The Red,” starring Koo Kyo-hwan, both opened simultaneously on the 30th of last month. Whether you choose to follow the secrets hidden within the charming illustrations or immerse yourself in the chase scenes featuring the resurrected protagonist, there’s something for every taste.

◇ “Chiikawa”: A Cute Island Trip with a Twist
“Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island” begins with a tempting invitation. The offer promises a 100-fold reward for even a simple quest, and the island’s limited-edition ramen and desserts are essentially free. Chiikawa and her friends board the ship full of anticipation, but Haedal senses that something about the invitation is suspicious. The story begins with the question of what lies hidden behind these sweet conditions.
The key appeal lies in the contrast between the characters’ cute appearances and the world they encounter. Chii-kawa—also known in Korea as “Munjakgwi”—is familiar for her small, adorable appearance, but the story isn’t all peace and quiet. The daily grind of working to make a living and unpredictable dangers are woven into their lives. In this theatrical release as well, what starts as a fun trip turns into an adventure to uncover the island’s secrets. It’s fun to see how that initial impression of a “cute character movie” evolves.
That’s why the term “fairy tale with a twist” is more appropriate than “cruel fairy tale” to describe the film’s accessibility. It’s a work where viewers, drawn in by the cuteness, encounter situations and emotions more complex than expected. By paying attention to how the friends react to unfamiliar situations and support one another, even viewers encountering the characters for the first time can follow the story.
The original creator, Nagano, contributed to the screenplay, and Director Kei Oikawa helmed the film. For fans, another highlight is seeing how the characters—whom they’ve known from short comics and TV animations—come to life in this feature-length film.

◇Koo Kyo-hwan as “The Resurrected Man,” Who Grows Stronger With Each Death
“The Resurrected Man: The Red” translates the premise that death is not the end into action-packed storytelling. Seok-hwan, a job seeker brimming with confidence but lacking notable qualifications, discovers that he comes back to life 72 hours after his death. When a mysterious figure named Black, who has sensed his ability, begins to pursue him, his ordinary daily life turns into a life-or-death struggle. Koo Kyo-hwan plays Seok-hwan, and Shin Seung-ho plays Black.
The key point to watch is how this ability to resurrect changes the dynamics of combat. Seok-hwan’s ability to grow stronger with each death serves as the driving force behind a story filled with repeated chases and counterattacks. The action sequences—which involve leaping between buildings and sending opponents flying—focus more on bringing the exaggerated movements of webtoons to life in live-action than on realistic hand-to-hand combat. The scenes that bring the imagination of the original webtoon *The Resurrected Man* to life through the actors’ physicality and visual effects are a highlight.
Koo Kyo-hwan’s unique personality and the chemistry with the supporting cast are also worth noting. The showdown between Seok-hwan—who possesses unfounded confidence—and Black, who pursues him, is joined by Kang Ki-young as Young-ha, his best friend who offers realistic, blunt advice, and Kim Si-ah as his younger sister, Ye-rin. The combination of superhuman abilities and down-to-earth characters adds humor amid the action.
Director Baek, who helmed *Beauty Inside* and *The Outlaws 2*, took the helm. Primary and George contributed the music, which adds to the fast-paced thrill of the chase scenes. At 101 minutes, its runtime is similar to that of *Chiikawa*, but the way it draws in audiences is quite different.